Chapter 13 - Vanessa’s Last Bargain
Matteo stared at the screen.
“No.”
Massimo said nothing.
Marcello explained.
Matteo was his biological son.
His mother had died during childbirth.
To protect the child during a violent period in the Costa family, Marcello allowed his brother’s family to raise him publicly as a nephew.
Salvatore knew.
That was why he hated Matteo.
Both Massimo and Matteo were Marcello’s sons.
Both could inherit.
Leo was Marcello’s grandson.
The entire succession scheme suddenly made sense.
Matteo sat down.
“My whole life…”
Massimo stood beside him.
“You’re still annoying.”
Matteo looked up.
“What?”
“You’re still my brother.”
A laugh escaped Matteo.
Then tears.
They embraced.
Alessandra watched.
Leo wandered in holding crayons.
“Why are you crying?”
Matteo wiped his face.
“Apparently crying is okay.”
Leo nodded.
“I told him.”
He pointed at Massimo.
For once, everyone laughed.
The peace lasted three days.
Vanessa called.
She needed one final meeting.
Salvatore had hidden money belonging to victims of his network.
Nearly two hundred million dollars.
Vanessa could recover it.
But she needed Massimo’s authorization codes.
“What do I get?” Massimo asked.
Alessandra elbowed him.
He looked at her.
“What?”
“People were trafficked and robbed.”
“I know.”
“Then don’t negotiate.”
“I was going to ask for immunity for Matteo.”
She stopped.
Vanessa agreed to take the request to prosecutors.
Massimo provided the codes.
The funds were recovered.
Victims received restitution.
The legitimate Costa companies entered independent oversight.
Massimo sold several holdings and established a foundation with part of the proceeds.
Alessandra returned to auditing.
Not for Vantage.
Never again.
She started her own forensic accounting firm.
Massimo invested.
She refused.
He invested anonymously.
She discovered it.
They had a spectacular argument.
He apologized.
That was more shocking to his employees than any gunfight.
Life became almost ordinary.
Until Alessandra received an envelope.
No return address.
Inside was a photograph of Leo at preschool.
Her heart stopped.
On the back:
SALVATORE WAS NEVER THE LAST ONE.
She called Massimo.
Within minutes the school was locked down.
Leo was safe.
Security footage showed a woman leaving the envelope.
Vanessa identified her.
Dr. Evelyn Hale.
Daughter of Vincent Hale.
The doctor who had certified Salvatore’s fake death.
Evelyn controlled offshore accounts they had missed.
She also possessed evidence that could reopen the entire case.
Her demand was simple.
Ten million dollars.
And immunity.
Massimo wanted her arrested.
Vanessa wanted the evidence.
Alessandra wanted Leo left alone.
Evelyn proposed a meeting.
Alessandra agreed.
Massimo stared at her.
“You are not going alone.”
“I knew you’d say that.”
“You sound pleased.”
“I’m learning your observations.”
At the meeting, Evelyn arrived carrying a silver case.
She opened it.
Hard drives.
Documents.
Passports.
Enough evidence to close the remaining network.
“What do you want?” Alessandra asked.
“A new identity.”
“Why?”
“Because someone else wants these files.”
“Who?”
Evelyn looked at Massimo.
“You really think Salvatore built all this alone?”
Massimo’s expression hardened.
“Name.”
Evelyn hesitated.
Then the restaurant lights went out.
A gunshot cracked.
When emergency lights returned, Evelyn was on the floor.
The silver case was gone.
May you like
And on the wall behind Massimo, someone had written three words in blood.
MARCELLO IS ALIVE.
