Chapter 6 - The Strike at Midnight
The grand ballroom of the Marchetti estate was filled with glowing crystal chandeliers, classical live music, and hundreds of guests in black-tie attire. Don Salvatore Romano stood near the champagne fountain, surrounded by three large bodyguards, exchanging fake pleasantries with city officials.
Marco Vitali stood near the grand staircase, wearing a sleek tuxedo, his eyes constantly darting toward his wristwatch. It was 9:55 PM.
Sienna stood on the second-floor balcony, looking down at the crowd. Per Dante’s instructions, she wore her emerald dress and held a glass of sparkling water, making herself clearly visible to Marco.
When Marco’s eyes drifted up to the balcony and locked onto Sienna, his expression turned into one of shock and utter fury. He couldn't believe she was standing there—unafraid, dressed like royalty, alive and under Dante's direct protection.
Marco’s hand reached instinctively inside his jacket for his concealed radio, panicking. He realized his cover was blown. He needed to trigger the assault immediately.
At precisely 9:58 PM, two minutes ahead of schedule, the lights in the entire estate went completely dark.
Screams echoed through the ballroom as panic broke out among the civilian guests. Emergency backup generators were supposed to kick in instantly, but Marco’s men had cut the primary cables.
In the pitch black, the sound of heavy iron doors slamming shut echoed through the hall. Marco drew his silenced pistol, rushing toward the basement stairwell to unleash Romano’s strike team, but as he rounded the corner into the darkened corridor, a massive hand grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against the marble wall.
"Going somewhere, Marco?" a voice purred in the dark.
A tactical flashlight flicked on, blinding Marco. Standing in front of him was Dante Marchetti, holding a custom heavy pistol pointed directly between Marco’s eyes. Surrounding them were Lorenzo and a dozen fully armed Marchetti enforcers.
"Don... Dante!" Marco gasped, straining against Dante’s vice-like grip on his neck. "There’s a raid! Romano’s men are coming through the tunnels! I was coming to protect you!"
"The tunnels were sealed thirty minutes ago," Lorenzo said coldly, holding up Marco’s decrypted radio. "Romano’s strike team is already disarmed and tied up in the garage. Salvatore Romano himself is currently sitting in a chair in the cellar, waiting for your grand arrival."
Marco’s face drained of all color. "Dante... please! It was Romano! He forced me! He threatened my family!"
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"You lied to me," Dante said, his voice dropping into that terrifying, icy quietness. "You stole from my accounts. But worst of all... you put your hands on Sienna Cole in my own home."
Dante dragged Marco by his collar into the center of the grand hallway, where the emergency lights finally flicked back on, illuminating the scene for everyone in the foyer to see.
