Chapter 5 - THE GHOST IN THE SHIPYARD
The old shipyard on the south side of the river was a graveyard of rusted shipping containers and broken cranes. It was where the Moretti family had built our empire during Prohibition. Now, it was going to be where it ended.
I drove my SUV through the rusted gates, the headlights cutting through the heavy rain. I parked in the center of the loading dock, stepped out, and let the rain soak my expensive suit.
“Carlo!” I roared into the darkness.
Floodlights suddenly snapped on, blinding me. I squinted, raising a hand to shield my eyes.
Standing on a catwalk twenty feet above me was Carlo. Flanking him were half a dozen armed men. And standing next to Carlo was a boy.
Not Ethan.
This boy was taller, ten years old, with Evelyn’s delicate nose and my fierce, dark eyes. He was shivering in the cold, a rough rope tying his hands behind his back.
Leo. My real son.
Seeing him—truly seeing my own flesh and blood for the first time—ignited a fire in my soul so violent I thought it might consume me.
“You triggered the labor early, didn't she?” Carlo called down, his voice echoing over the rain. “Evelyn always was smarter than you, Vincent. She knew I had men waiting outside Sophia’s restaurant.”
“Let the boy go, Carlo,” I said, keeping my hands away from my weapon, showing I was unarmed. “You want the seat? It’s yours. The territory, the businesses, the accounts. Take it all. Just give me my son.”
Carlo laughed, a harsh, grating sound. “You think the Commission will let me lead while you’re still breathing? You’re a legend, Vincent. Legends don't retire. They die.”
“Then kill me!” I shouted, stepping directly under the lights. “Shoot me right now! But let Leo walk. He’s innocent. He’s Moretti blood!”
“He’s a loose end,” a woman’s voice said from the shadows.
Sophia walked out onto the catwalk, her high heels clicking against the metal grating. She held an umbrella over her head, looking utterly bored.
“You ruined my life, Vincent,” Sophia said coldly. “I loved you when we were kids. But you chose the quiet, boring girl. So Carlo and I made sure you’d suffer. We took your heir, we took your money, and we watched your marriage rot.”
“You’re pathetic,” I spat.
Sophia’s eyes narrowed. She pulled a small revolver from her coat and pressed it against Leo’s head.
The boy flinched, closing his eyes, but he didn't cry out. He was brave. He was Evelyn’s son.
“Drop the gun, Sophia!” Carlo snapped, suddenly looking nervous. “We need Vincent to sign the transfer papers before we kill them.”
“I’m tired of waiting, Carlo,” Sophia hissed.
Down in the yard, I noticed something. One of the armed men flanking Carlo on the catwalk slowly lowered his rifle. He shifted his stance.
I recognized the silver ring on his right hand. It was Tony, my most loyal lieutenant. He had infiltrated Carlo’s crew.
I looked at Leo. The boy opened his eyes and looked down at me. I gave him a subtle, almost imperceptible nod.
“Sophia,” I yelled, drawing her attention. “Did Carlo tell you he transferred the Swiss accounts yesterday? He drained your extortion money.”
Sophia froze, turning her head toward Carlo. “What?”
“He’s lying!” Carlo yelled.
It was a split second of distraction. But it was enough.
Tony lunged. He grabbed Sophia’s wrist, twisting the revolver away from Leo’s head.
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“Get down, kid!” Tony roared.
Leo dropped to the metal grating just as gunfire erupted across the shipyard.
