Chapter 10 - The Wife He Could No Longer Command
The bodyguard.
Marco.
The man who had handed Nadine the envelope.
His mother had worked for Salvatore Castellano.
Marco had grown up believing another man was his father.
Vittorio discovered the truth and recruited him.
“He’s an heir,” Nadine whispered.
Dante nodded.
“If he proves paternity.”
“And Vittorio controls him.”
“Exactly.”
The pieces aligned.
Vittorio did not need Nadine anymore if Marco could claim part of the empire.
Which made her disposable.
Nadine refused to hide indefinitely.
She proposed something neither brother liked.
Destroy the empire Vittorio wanted.
Dante stared.
“You mean dismantle the businesses.”
“The criminal ones.”
“My people—”
“Can keep legitimate jobs.”
“Nadine, it isn't that simple.”
“It never is.”
Adrian watched her.
“She’s right.”
Dante glared.
“Of course you think that.”
“No. I spent twenty years fighting for something poisoned before either of us inherited it.”
That silenced him.
For the first time, Dante considered walking away.
Not from wealth.
From power.
It terrified him more than death.
Nadine saw that.
“If you want any chance with me,” she said, “Lucia does not grow up in this.”
Dante looked at his daughter.
Then nodded.
“Okay.”
It was not reconciliation.
But it was a beginning.
They contacted federal investigators through an attorney.
Evidence would be surrendered.
Legitimate businesses protected where possible.
Criminal operations dismantled.
Vittorio’s network exposed.
Dante would likely face consequences for his own conduct.
He accepted that.
“I won't lie my way out.”
Nadine studied him.
That mattered.
That night, Lucia would not sleep.
Dante walked her around the room.
Nadine watched from bed.
“You’re holding her too stiffly.”
“I’m terrified of dropping her.”
“She isn't made of glass.”
“She’s smaller than some of my shoes.”
Nadine laughed.
Dante looked at her.
For one second they were husband and wife again.
Then the moment passed.
He placed Lucia down.
“I miss you.”
Nadine looked away.
“I know.”
“I don't expect anything.”
“Good.”
“I just wanted you to know.”
He left.
At midnight, Nadine woke to a noise.
Lucia was asleep.
The hallway was silent.
Then came three knocks.
Nadine reached for the alarm.
A voice whispered outside.
“Nadine?”
Celeste.
She opened the door.
Her sister stood there barefoot.
Blood covered her hands.
Nadine stared.
“Whose blood is that?”
Celeste looked behind her.
May you like
Then whispered:
“Marco found us…”
