Chapter 6 - THE ARCHITECT OF THE GRAVEInfiltrating the Grand HotelThe Grand Hotel Regal towered forty stories over the city skyline. The top two floors—the imperial ballroom and the penthouse—had been completely rented out by Marco under the guise of an "Exclusive Business Gala."
Dozens of high-society figures, corrupt politicians, and underworld bosses wore tuxedos and evening gowns, drinking champagne under massive crystal chandeliers.
At the head table sat Marco, wearing Prattasio’s custom-tailored velvet suit, drinking Prattasio’s vintage wine, and wearing the Don’s golden signet ring on his pinky finger.
"A toast!" Marco announced, standing up and raising his glass to the leaders of the Five Families sitting around him. "To a new era! An era without Prattasio Lori’s outdated morals! No more rules against narcotics! No more rules against weapons distribution! Tonight, we share the empire!"
The bosses cheered, clinking their glasses.
Outside, high above the city on the roof of an adjacent building, Prattasio looked through the thermal scope of a high-powered rifle. Beside him, Veto lay flat on the cold asphalt, perfectly still, his eyes fixed on the glass atrium of the hotel's penthouse.
"Look at them," Prattasio murmured into his headset. "Feasting on a ghost's grave."
"Don Prattasio, the security cameras on the 38th floor service elevator have been looped," Vincent’s voice cracked through the earpiece. "You have a five-minute window before the night shift rotation notices."
"Copy," Prattasio said. He broke down the rifle, packed it into a sleek carbon-fiber case, and looked at Veto. "Ready, buddy?"
Veto stood up instantly, his tail giving a single, rigid wag.
They took the zip-line cable stretched between the roof of the adjacent parking garage and the hotel’s 39th-floor service balcony. Moving like shadows, Prattasio clipped Veto into a heavy-duty tactical harness suspended from his chest. Together, they slid across the night sky, landing silently on the wet balcony tile.
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Prattasio picked the lock of the glass door in four seconds flat.
They were inside.
