Chapter 3 - The Gathering of the Wolves
The Duca family council was held at the historic Chicago Yacht Club, a private venue where the city’s elite gathered to discuss business away from the prying eyes of the public.
Alessandro arrived late, accompanied by Caleb and two armed guards. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, his expression a mask of cold, unreadable stone.
The long mahogany conference table was surrounded by the senior members of the Duca family. At the far end sat Valerio Duca, a man with sharp features, slicked-back hair, and a smile that had always reminded Alessandro of a predator waiting in the tall grass.
“Alessandro!” Valerio cried out, standing up with fake warmth. “We were beginning to think you wouldn't join us. The shipping contract negotiations with the port authority are about to begin. We need your signature.”
Alessandro didn't sit down. He stood at the head of the table, resting his hands on the back of the empty leather chair.
“There will be no signatures today,” Alessandro said, his voice echoing in the quiet room.
The family members murmured in confusion.
“What do you mean, Alessandro?” asked Uncle Roberto, the eldest member of the council. “We’ve been working on this merger for six months. It’s worth forty million dollars.”
“I mean that we have a traitor in our midst,” Alessandro said. He reached into his jacket pocket and tossed the toxicology report onto the center of the table. It slid across the polished wood, stopping directly in front of Valerio.
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TOXICOLOGY ANALYSIS REPORT #8841-B
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SUBSTANCE: Acokanthera spectabilis (Ouabain extract)
CONCENTRATION: Lethal dose (0.15mg/ml)
SOURCE: Duca Pharmaceutical Labs (New York)
TARGET: Alessandro Duca (Personal Residence)
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Valerio’s smile didn't vanish, but his eyes narrowed. “What is this? Some kind of joke, cousin? A science project?”
“That is the chemical analysis of the espresso that was served to me this morning in my own home,” Alessandro said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “It was spiked with a rare cardiac toxin manufactured exclusively in the New York laboratories you manage, Valerio. The same toxin that killed a chemist named Hector Alvarez four years ago.”
A tense, suffocating silence fell over the room. Uncle Roberto looked at Valerio, his face darkening. “Valerio... is this true?”
“This is absurd!” Valerio laughed, throwing his hands up. “Alessandro is paranoid! He’s been reading too many spy novels! You’re accusing me of trying to poison you based on a piece of paper? Anyone could have put that in your coffee! Your house is full of servants!”
“Actually,” Alessandro said, a cold smile touching his lips. “I have a witness. A very special witness who knows exactly what your poison smells like. And she’s currently under the protection of the federal marshal service.”
It was a lie—Sophia and Emma were still at his estate—but the bait was perfect.
Valerio’s face flushed a deep, angry red. He stood up, leaning over the table. “You think you can threaten me, Alessandro? You think you can run this family like a dictatorship? The old man is gone! You don't have the authority to accuse me of this!”
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“I have the majority shares of the shipping line, Valerio,” Alessandro said softly. “And as of this moment, your access to the family accounts is frozen. Your laboratory in New York is being audited by an independent firm. If you so much as breathe in my direction, I will hand this report to the district attorney.”
Alessandro turned on his heel and walked out of the room, leaving the wolves to tear each other apart in his absence.
