Chapter 19 - Sunrise Over the EmpireMorning broke across the eastern seaboard in a brilliant cascade of gold and amber light.
The Moretti syndicate stood stronger, leaner, and more united than it had ever been in its history. The capos had reaffirmed their absolute loyalty, the financial leaks had been permanently cauterized, and the enemies who had sought to tear us down from within were either locked behind prison bars or buried beneath the earth.
I sat at my desk, sipping my morning espresso, reviewing the final restructuring plans for the European divisions.
Gabriel stepped into the study, holding a secure dossier.
“Boss, the Tuscan estate security has been doubled. Elena and Sophia are settled into the main villa permanently, with full academic tutors lined up for the autumn semester.”
“Good,” I said, signing my name across the bottom of the ledger in bold, black ink. “Make sure Sophia wants for nothing. Anything she needs—books, art supplies, whatever she asks for—it comes directly from my personal accounts.”
“Understood, Don Moretti,” Gabriel smiled faintly. “Though I think her favorite art supply will always remain a simple box of Crayola crayons.”
May you like
I chuckled, leaning back in my leather chair.
“Some tools are worth more than a billion dollars, Gabriel,” I said, picking up the framed crayon drawing of the lion and the yellow flower resting on my desk.
