Chapter 8 - The Betrayal Within the Inner Circle
Within ten minutes, the driveway was silent once more.
Thirty-five mercenaries lay dead or dying in the mud. Five survivors were on their knees, hands zip-tied behind their backs, guarded by Leo and the remaining Gallo loyalists who had rallied from the outbuildings.
Dominic walked down the line of prisoners, his rain-soaked coat billowing behind him.
He stopped in front of the mercenary leader, who was coughing up mud and blood.
“Who gave you the tactical layout of my perimeter defenses?” Dominic asked calmly.
The mercenary spat at Dominic’s boots. “You think you’re untouchable, Gallo? Your own lieutenant sold you out. Thomas Russo didn't act alone.”
Dominic didn't change expression. He glanced at Leo.
Leo was standing near the front steps, his face pale, his right hand slowly creeping toward his concealed holster.
Nora was faster.
Before Leo could draw, Nora’s silenced pistol was already leveled at the center of Leo’s forehead.
“Don't do it, Leo,” Nora said, her voice cutting through the rain like a razor. “I noticed your phone vibrating with West Side area codes during the warehouse sit-down earlier today. You were feeding Arthur our troop movements.”
Dominic turned slowly, staring at the man who had served as his right hand for seven years.
“Leo?” Dominic’s voice was dangerously low.
Leo’s hands began to shake. The bravado he had carried for years crumbled under the dual gaze of Dominic Gallo and the shadow operative standing beside him.
“They offered me the whole northern territory, Boss…” Leo stammered, tears mixing with the rain. “Arthur said you were getting soft. He said you were distracted by a pretty little wife and that the Gallo family was doomed to fall!”
“I wasn’t getting soft, Leo,” Dominic said, stepping closer until the barrel of Nora’s gun was pressed directly against Leo’s temple. “I was just building a home.”
May you like
Dominic looked at Nora.
“Take him down to the cellar,” Dominic commanded coldly. “We have an appointment with Arthur Vance at the docks, and we need Leo to deliver one final message.”
