Chapter 7 - The Betrayal Within: Uncovering the Mole in the Syndicate
Mateo recovered with frightening speed. Within a week, he was back to managing the syndicate, though his left arm remained in a sling. The atmosphere in the mansion was toxic with paranoia. The Morettis couldn't have breached the gates without inside help. There was a mole.
I spent my days in the estate's massive library, reading old family journals Salvatore had given me, trying to understand the violent legacy I had inherited. That's where I found it. An old ledger, hidden behind a false panel, detailing offshore accounts. As I cross-referenced the dates with the recent attacks, a terrifying pattern emerged. The payments were going to a shell company owned by my old restaurant manager at Bellori.
I took the ledger straight to Mateo. He was in his office, cleaning his gun. He looked at the paperwork, his face turning into a mask of pure, terrifying rage.
"He sold you out," Mateo said, his voice deadly quiet. "He knew you were a Vitiello, and he sold the information to the Morettis."
"What are you going to do?" I asked, my heart hammering.
Mateo stood up, holstering his weapon. "I'm going to have a conversation with him. You stay here."
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"No." I grabbed his good arm. "He was my manager. He made my life miserable for years, and now he's trying to kill me. I'm going with you."
Mateo looked at me, really looked at me, seeing the fire that was finally waking up in my Vitiello blood. He nodded slowly. "Get dressed, Tessa. Wear something black."
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