Dominic didn't waste time.
The morning after the warehouse fire, three of Matt's men turned up dead—one in his car, throat slit; another in his own home, shot in his sleep; and the last dumped in the river with his hands tied behind his back.
Miriam read the report, her jaw tightening. "He's sending a message."
Matt took the file from her, scanning the names. Good men. Men who had believed in him. His grip on the paper tightened, but his voice stayed calm. "He wants us to retaliate. Wants us to get reckless."
Miriam folded her arms. "So what's the move?"
Matt exhaled. "We don't play his game. We change the rules."
She smirked. "That's more like it."
Matt walked to the bar, pouring himself a drink. "We hit him where it really hurts—his money, his alliances, and his trust." He took a slow sip before continuing. "Luca says some of Dominic's lieutenants are starting to doubt him. They think he's losing control."
Miriam raised a brow. "And we give them a reason to switch sides."
Matt nodded. "But first, we take his biggest earner off the board."
Miriam grinned. "Antonio Rossi?"
Antonio Rossi ran the biggest gambling and drug operations under Dominic. Without him, Dominic's empire would start crumbling.
Matt smirked. "Set it up."
The Rossi Hit – Midnight
Antonio Rossi operated out of a private club in Little Italy. He was always surrounded by guards, never left without backup. But everyone had weak spots.
Rossi's weakness? Routine.
Every Friday night, he left the club with his mistress. No security detail. Just him and his car.
Matt and Miriam waited in the alley outside the club. The street was quiet, the city lights casting long shadows.
Miriam checked her watch. "He's late."
Matt didn't look away from the club's side door. "He'll come."
Minutes later, the door swung open. Rossi stepped out, laughing, a woman on his arm.
Matt moved fast. Before Rossi could react, Miriam grabbed the woman, covering her mouth. Matt pressed his gun against Rossi's back.
"Walk," Matt ordered.
Rossi stiffened. "You don't wanna do this, kid."
Matt smirked. "I really do."
They led him to a black sedan, pushed him inside. The woman sobbed as Miriam let her go. "Go home. Forget you saw anything."
She didn't need to be told twice.
An Hour Later – The Docks
Rossi was on his knees, hands tied, the cold night air biting at his skin.
Matt crouched in front of him. "You know why we're here."
Rossi's jaw tightened. "Dominic won't let this slide."
Matt smirked. "I'm counting on it."
Rossi glared at him. "You think you're ready to run this family?"
Matt leaned in, voice low. "I am this family."
Before Rossi could answer, Matt pulled the trigger.
The gunshot echoed over the water.
Miriam tossed a cigarette into the river. "That'll get Dominic's attention."
Matt watched Rossi's body slump forward. "Yeah. And next, we take everything else."
Because Dominic wasn't just losing men. He was losing his empire.
And soon, he'd lose his life.