Chapter 5 - The Mastermind UnmaskedBack in the main hallway, the music swelled as another waltz began. Luca Romano stood near the base of the grand staircase, checking his expensive gold wristwatch for the third time in two minutes.
Ten minutes, Luca calculated mentally. The dosage should have reached his heart by now. Once Moretti drops, the East Coast syndicates will panic, Vivian’s family will secure the perimeter, and the transition of power will be complete before midnight.
"Looking for someone, Luca?"
The voice came from directly behind his right shoulder. Luca froze, every muscle tightening instantly. He turned around slowly to find Alessandro standing there, his posture relaxed, his hands resting calmly in his trouser pockets.
Most importantly, Alessandro was breathing normally. There was no sign of dizziness, no flush of toxicity, no collapse.
Color drained rapidly from Luca’s face. He forced a strained, brittle laugh. "Boss! You... you startled me. I thought you were talking with the governor."
"The governor can wait," Alessandro replied smoothly, stepping closer until Luca was forced to back up against the polished marble pillar. "I was just discussing family matters with one of my employees. Specifically, about the cost of misplaced loyalty."
Luca’s eyes darted frantically toward the ballroom doors, searching for Vivian. She was walking toward them now, cutting through the crowd in her stunning red silk gown, a look of profound confusion and rising panic replacing her practiced smile as she saw Alessandro standing upright and unharmed.
"Alessandro," Vivian said, her voice breathy and unnaturally high as she reached them. "You look... you didn't finish your wine. I was worried about you."
"Were you, Vivian?" Alessandro turned his piercing gaze upon her, his gray-blue eyes devoid of any human warmth. "Or were you worried that the chemical composition of that Barolo was a little too heavy for a Tuesday night?"
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Vivian’s breath hitched. She looked from Alessandro to Luca, seeing the absolute terror in her co-conspirator's eyes. The mask slipped completely. The sweet, demure fiancée vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating opportunist.
"It’s over, Alessandro," Vivian spat, her voice dropping all pretense of affection as she stepped back. "You’ve ruled this city like a tyrant for fifteen years. Your time is up. The council has already voted. By sunrise, your assets will be frozen, and your name will be wiped off every ledger from here to Chicago."
