Chapter 13 - The Price of Betrayal
Anna had returned to Philadelphia because she intended to testify.
Salvatore finally admitted it.
“She contacted me eight years ago.”
Tessa stared at him.
“I was eighteen.”
“Yes.”
“She was already sick?”
“No.”
“Then why didn’t she testify?”
Salvatore could not meet her eyes.
“Because I stopped her.”
Matteo’s face hardened.
“How?”
“I threatened to expose Tessa as Gabriel’s daughter.”
Tessa felt as if the room tilted.
“You threatened my mother?”
“I thought Gabriel would kill you if the truth became public.”
“You don’t get to call blackmail protection.”
“No.”
Salvatore’s answer was immediate.
“I don’t.”
Anna abandoned the testimony.
Years later, when cancer came, she refused to contact Salvatore again.
Tessa finally understood why her mother had carried medical debt alone despite knowing wealthy people.
Pride had not been the reason.
Trust had.
Or the absence of it.
Matteo turned toward his father.
“Leave.”
“Matteo—”
“Leave.”
Salvatore did.
The Moretti empire began collapsing over the next seventy-two hours.
Not because police destroyed it.
Because Matteo dismantled it.
Illegal routes were closed.
Companies tied to Gabriel were handed to investigators.
Workers in legitimate businesses remained employed.
Matteo sold warehouses connected to trafficking.
Millions disappeared from the Moretti balance sheets.
Frank watched it happen without complaint.
“You’ll have enemies,” he said.
“I already do.”
“You’ll lose power.”
Matteo looked through the office window.
“Maybe I’ve been confusing power with fear.”
Tessa heard him.
She smiled faintly.
“Careful. That almost sounded intelligent.”
He looked at her.
“There she is.”
“Who?”
“The waitress who insulted me.”
“You insulted me first.”
“I was hoping we’d eventually forget that.”
“Never.”
Something had changed between them.
Neither named it.
That evening, Tessa visited Luca in the hospital.
He had survived surgery.
“You saved Matteo,” she said.
“Late career adjustment.”
“You also tried to kill him.”
“Yes.”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
“Good.”
She appreciated the answer.
When she left, Matteo was waiting.
“Dinner?”
“With you?”
“That is generally how invitations work.”
“Where?”
“Not Bellaforte.”
“Why?”
“It currently lacks a roof.”
She laughed.
It surprised both of them.
Then Matteo’s phone rang.
Frank.
His expression changed.
“What?”
He listened.
“When?”
Tessa’s smile disappeared.
“What happened?”
Matteo ended the call.
“Gabriel escaped federal custody.”
“How?”
“Someone intercepted the transport.”
Tessa stared.
“Where is he?”
“We don’t know.”
Her phone buzzed.
A photograph appeared.
Salvatore sat tied to a chair.
Behind him was Gabriel.
The message read:
ONE FATHER FOR ANOTHER.
May you like
Then a location appeared.
Pier Nineteen.
