Chapter 8 - THE BROKEN ROSARY
Every eye in the room turned to me.
For a moment, I thought the mafia associates might draw their weapons on me. I was just the house manager, the woman who set the tables and ironed the suits. I had no place interfering in family business.
But I looked at Frank, who had sacrificed everything. I looked at Vanessa, who had carried a terrible secret since she was a child. And I looked at little Leo, who deserved a home without monsters in the garden.
“I called them when Carmine pulled the gun,” I said, lifting my chin. “Mr. Moretti... Luca. You said you wanted to legitimize this family. You said it starts tonight.”
Luca stared at me. Then, slowly, a small smile touched his lips.
“You did the right thing, Hannah,” he said.
He turned to his associates. “Put your weapons on the table. Nobody resists. We hand over Carmine, we hand over the ledger, and we cooperate.”
The men grumbled, but one by one, they placed their sidearms on the mahogany table.
When the police entered the dining room, they expected a bloodbath. Instead, they found a group of men standing quietly with their hands visible, and a little boy safely holding onto a house manager’s hand.
The lead detective walked in, his eyes scanning the broken chandelier and the shattered glass.
“Who’s in charge here?” the detective asked.
“I am,” Luca said, stepping forward. He picked up the faded black ledger from the table and handed it to the detective. “You’ll find my uncle, Carmine Moretti, secured in the basement. This book contains evidence of his involvement in extortion, money laundering, and the murders of Antonio and Isabella Moretti.”
The detective looked at the book in shock. This was the holy grail of organized crime evidence, handed to him on a silver platter.
“And who are you?” the detective asked.
“I’m the man who’s going to dismantle his empire,” Luca said.
As the police processed the scene and brought Carmine upstairs in handcuffs, I watched Vanessa and Frank standing by the fireplace.
Vanessa was still clutching her mother’s rosary. She looked at her father, her eyes filled with regret.
“Dad,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry. I was so ashamed of where we came from. I thought if people knew I was the driver’s daughter, I’d never be accepted in this world.”
Frank reached out and gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, just like he did in the old photograph.
“You have nothing to be ashamed of, Nessa,” Frank said gently. “I drove a car so you could go to college. I took on debt so your mother could have medicine. There is dignity in an honest day’s work. Don't ever let these people make you feel small.”
Vanessa threw her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder. “I love you, Dad. I’m so proud of you.”
I felt a tear slip down my cheek. I looked down at little Leo. He was watching Vanessa and Frank, a small smile on his face.
Luca walked over to us. He knelt down in front of his son.
“Are you okay, Leo?” Luca asked softly.
Leo nodded. “The scary man is gone now?”
“He’s gone for good, buddy,” Luca promised, kissing his son’s forehead. “I promise.”
Luca stood up and looked at me. “Thank you, Hannah. For protecting him.”
“It’s my job, Mr. Moretti,” I said softly.
Luca shook his head. “No. You’re family, too.”
He turned and walked over to where Vanessa and Frank were standing.
He looked at Vanessa. The beautiful, complicated woman who had lied to him, but who had also risked her life to protect him and his son.
“We have a lot to talk about,” Luca said to her.
Vanessa wiped her eyes and nodded. “I know. And if you want me to leave, I will.”
May you like
Luca looked at her, then at Frank, and finally at the empty chair next to his own at the head of the table.
“No,” Luca said softly. “Nobody is leaving tonight.”
