Chapter 9 - A Traitor at Vincent’s Table
Vincent smashed the monitor through the glass panel beside the door.
Enzo reached through and released the lock.
They escaped seconds before smoke filled the room.
But the computer burned.
The face Norah had uncovered vanished with it.
Almost.
Norah had photographed the screen.
She showed Vincent.
Marco Bellini.
Vincent’s financial adviser.
His godfather’s son.
A man who had attended every Rossi Christmas since Vincent was twelve.
Vincent didn’t rage.
He became calm.
That was worse.
Marco was summoned.
He arrived wearing an expensive gray suit.
Vincent placed Norah’s phone on the table.
Marco looked at the image.
Then smiled.
“You finally found it.”
Norah felt cold.
No denial.
Vincent asked, “Why?”
“Because you were supposed to die.”
“You sound disappointed.”
“I am.”
Marco had helped Russo manipulate the organization.
Vale kept Vincent sick.
Marco moved money.
Russo built alliances.
When Vincent finally died, the empire would collapse neatly into their hands.
“What about Caleb?” Norah asked.
Marco looked at her.
“Your brother was useful until he developed a conscience.”
“Where is he?”
Marco smiled.
“Alive.”
Vincent grabbed him.
Marco didn’t resist.
“Kill me and you lose him.”
Norah hated how often that threat worked.
Marco gave them an address.
An abandoned church.
Vincent knew it was a trap.
They went anyway.
Inside they found Caleb tied near the altar.
Norah ran toward him.
Vincent caught her.
“Wait.”
A wire ran beneath Caleb’s chair.
Bomb.
Caleb began crying.
“Norah, don’t.”
Vincent’s explosives man approached.
Five minutes.
Four.
Three.
The wire was cut.
Nothing happened.
Norah reached Caleb.
He collapsed against her.
“I’m sorry.”
She held him.
“You’re alive.”
“I did something.”
“What?”
“I gave them the backup.”
Her stomach sank.
“What backup?”
“The full camera archive.”
Vincent heard.
“Why?”
Caleb looked toward the church entrance.
“Because they said they’d kill Norah.”
Footsteps echoed.
Marco appeared between the doors.
He should have been in custody.
He wasn’t.
Behind him stood armed men.
And beside him stood Dr. Vale.
Marco smiled.
May you like
“Thank you for bringing Vincent exactly where we needed him.”
Then someone behind Norah cocked a gun.
