Chapter 9 - THE CONFLICT RESOLVED
Marcus’s hand froze in mid-air. Tears of frustration and terrifying panic welled in his eyes as he looked around the room, realizing that every single one of his brothers had turned against him. There was no escape, no excuse, and no way out of the trap he had dug for himself.
The Vice President stood up slowly, stepping behind Marcus. He reached out with a heavy, tattooed hand, thrusting his fingers directly into Marcus’s right vest pocket.
When he pulled his hand back out, resting in his open palm were two items: a brass key with a bright yellow plastic tag, and a custom, solid-gold jeweled wrist watch that glinted brilliantly in the golden afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows.
The Vice President looked at the watch, then looked up at Marcus with absolute, cold hatred.
"You piece of trash," the Vice President spat, tossing the watch gently onto the glass table, where it landed with a soft, metallic click. "Framing an innocent woman and her kid to cover your own gambling debts."
Marcus slumped back onto the leather sofa, his head falling into his hands as he wept softly, completely broken.
Lorenzo didn't yell. He didn't order a execution. He simply looked at the Vice President with cold, calculated efficiency.
"Strip his vest," Lorenzo commanded softly. "Escort him off the property. He is stripped of his rank, his patch, and his membership in the Iron Kings. If he ever steps foot in the Hudson Valley again, Pino gets his dinner."
"Understood, Boss," the Vice President replied, grabbing Marcus by the collar and hoisting him up, pulling him toward the rear service exit alongside the other two senior members.
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Within two minutes, the grand reception room was clear. The air was clean, quiet, and peaceful once again. The jeweled gold watch sat undisturbed on the glass table, reflecting the warm, amber daylight.
Pino let out a long, satisfied sigh, sitting down beside Lorenzo’s heavy boots, his dark head resting gently against his master's shin.
