Chapter 8 - The Poisoner’s LedgerThe basement beneath the Moretti mansion smelled of old oak barrels and cold damp stone.
It wasn't a torture chamber.
It was a fortified wine cellar.
In the center of the room, tied to a heavy iron chair, sat Don Bernardo.
His face was bruised.
His silver hair was matted with dried blood.
Daniel stood behind the chair, arms crossed over his chest.
When Luca and I walked down the stone steps, Bernardo raised his chin with a mocking grin.
“Ah. The triumphant nephew. And he brings his little servant girl.”
Luca walked over to a heavy wooden table.
He picked up a black leather notebook that had been recovered from Bernardo’s coat.
“This is quite the ledger, Uncle.”
Luca flipped through the pages with his good hand.
“Shipments of illicit pharmaceuticals from Eastern Europe.”
Luca turned another page.
“Two hundred thousand dollars transferred to Vanessa Bellini’s offshore account last month.”
Bernardo spat on the stone floor.
“Vanessa was a greedy whore. She wanted your name, your mansion, and my money.”
“She was your puppet,” Luca said cold.
“She was a tool. Just like this maid is a tool for you.”
Bernardo glared at me.
“You think he cares about you, girl? You think a mafia boss falls for the help? Once the dust settles, he'll throw you back onto the street with a couple hundred bucks.”
I stepped forward.
I didn't cower behind Luca.
I looked Bernardo directly in his cold, arrogant eyes.
“He already paid for my father’s medical care for five years.”
Bernardo’s grin vanished.
“And unlike you,” I continued, my voice steady, “Luca doesn't have to poison little girls to get what he wants.”
Bernardo lunged forward against his ropes, his veins bulging.
“You insolent little b—”
Luca moved like lightning.
His fist smashed across Bernardo’s jaw.
The heavy iron chair tipped backward, crashing onto the stone floor with Bernardo pinned beneath it.
Luca stood over his uncle, breathing heavily.
“Do not speak to her again.”
Bernardo groaned on the floor, spitting blood and a broken tooth.
“Kill me then, Luca. Kill your own blood. The Commission will tear your territory apart.”
Luca knelt down beside his uncle.
“The Commission already knows, Bernardo.”
Bernardo’s eyes widened in sudden terror.
“What?”
Daniel stepped forward, holding a tablet computer.
On the screen was a live video conference with five older men in dark suits.
The Five Dons of the Chicago and New York syndicates.
“They listened to the entire audio recording from Vanessa’s phone,” Luca said smoothly. “They heard you order the execution of my sister.”
Luca leaned closer to Bernardo’s ear.
“In our world, families are off-limits. Even the Commission agrees you broke the blood oath.”
The old man on the tablet screen cleared his throat.
“Luca Moretti,” the head Don spoke through the speakers. “Bernardo Moretti has violated the ancient laws of the families. His life is forfeit. His territory is yours.”
The screen went black.
Bernardo began to shake.
The arrogance drained from his face completely.
“Luca... please. I am your father’s brother.”
Luca stood up slowly.
He handed his weapon to Daniel.
“I won't dirty my hands with you, Bernardo.”
Luca turned toward the stairs.
“Daniel. Handle it.”
“Yes, boss.”
Luca took my hand in his.
May you like
His fingers intertwined with mine.
He led me away from the darkness of the cellar and back up into the light.
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