Chapter 13 - THE EMPTY CELLAn hour later, in a maximum-security cell block on the subterranean level of the same federal facility, Salvatore Rossi sat alone.
The heavy steel door clanged open, and Viktor stepped aside as I walked into the cell. The dim fluorescent light flickered overhead, casting a harsh glow across Salvatore's bruised face—a souvenir from his arrest earlier that morning.
Salvatore looked up from the metal cot, his eyes narrowing into venomous slits.
"So... the great king of Stuttgart decides to grace a rat with his presence," Salvatore spat, trying to maintain a brave front despite the handcuffs binding him to the bolted steel table. "You think you won, David? You think cutting off my money ends the Rossi family? There are others coming for you."
I pulled out a chair, sat down directly across from him, and crossed my legs.
"There is no one coming, Salvatore," I said smoothly, pulling a small silver lighter from my pocket and flicking it open, watching the tiny flame dance in the dim air. "Your captains surrendered their turfs by noon. Your assets are forfeited to the state. And your penthouse safe? Viktor emptied it yesterday."
Salvatore’s face paled. The arrogance drained out of him, replaced by cold, hard panic.
"What do you want?" he rasped.
"I want peace," I said, snapping the lighter shut. "And to ensure you never breathe free air again. When the judge hands down your sentence next month, you’ll be spending the rest of your natural life in a supermax facility fifty feet underground. No phone calls. No visitors. Just the dark."
May you like
I stood up, adjusting the cuffs of my suit jacket, and looked down at him one last time.
"Welcome to your new life, Salvatore."
