Chapter 7 - THE HEIRLOOM NECKLACE
The drive to the Chicago docks was a blur of adrenaline and flashing streetlights.
I insisted on going. Luca tried to order me to stay at the restaurant with Leo and Mrs. Caruso, but I refused. My little sister was in the hands of a monster, and I wasn't going to wait by a phone.
"Stay in the SUV, Emma," Luca commanded as his heavily armed men parked in the shadows of a massive shipping container. "If gunfire starts, you get on the floor and cover your head."
"Just bring her back," I pleaded, my hands shaking violently.
Luca nodded. He grabbed the heavy ledger and stepped out into the freezing, foggy night.
I cracked the tinted window just enough to hear.
In the center of the illuminated pier, surrounded by armed Romano thugs, stood Vanessa. Her red engagement dress was torn, her perfect hair whipped wildly in the wind.
Kneeling on the wet concrete in front of her was Maria, sobbing, her hands tied behind her back.
"Let the girl go, Vanessa," Luca shouted, walking slowly into the light. He held the ledger up in his left hand. "You want the book. You want the proof that your father is a murderer and a traitor. Come get it."
Vanessa laughed, a high, hysterical sound that echoed off the metal shipping containers.
"Throw it on the ground!" Vanessa demanded, pressing the barrel of her gun against Maria’s head. "You lost, Luca! My father owns the city now!"
"Your father owns nothing," a deep, booming voice echoed from the darkness.
Vanessa froze. The Romano thugs turned their weapons toward the shadows.
Stepping out from behind a stack of wooden crates was Vincenzo Romano himself—the ruthless, aging boss of the rival family.
Vanessa smiled triumphantly. "Vincenzo! I have the ledger! We can finally end the Moretti line tonight!"
Vincenzo walked forward, but he didn't look at Luca. He looked at Vanessa with absolute disgust.
"You stupid, arrogant girl," Vincenzo spat. "Did you really think I wanted a war with Luca Moretti over a fifty-year-old restaurant?"
Vanessa’s smile vanished. "What?"
Vincenzo looked at Luca and gave a slow, respectful nod.
"Luca called me ten minutes ago from the restaurant," Vincenzo said. "He told me what was in the ledger. He told me that your father, Bellini, has been skimming millions from my shipments for a decade, using my name to order unauthorized hits."
Vanessa backed away, her hands shaking. "No! He’s lying!"
"Luca doesn't lie about blood," Vincenzo said coldly. "Your father used the Romano name to murder Luca’s mother. And he used my money to fund your lavish lifestyle. You aren't my operative, Vanessa. You’re a liability."
The reversal was absolute. Vanessa had thought she was the queen of the chessboard. Instead, she had just been cornered by both kings.
"Drop the gun, Vanessa," Luca ordered, taking a step forward.
"No!" Vanessa screamed, her sanity completely fracturing. "I won't go to prison! I’ll kill her! I swear I’ll kill the maid!"
She cocked the hammer of her pistol.
I couldn't watch from the SUV anymore. I couldn't let my sister die.
I threw open the car door and sprinted across the wet concrete.
"Vanessa!" I screamed.
May you like
Vanessa whipped around, startled by my sudden appearance.
In that split second of distraction, Luca drew his weapon and fired.
