Chapter 8 - The Last Betrayal Came From The Man They Thought Was Dead
Two days before the wedding, Daniel received a call.
A body had been found.
Vincent.
Apparently dead.
Emily stared at the report.
"He's alive."
Daniel looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because his death is too convenient."
Matteo agreed.
They returned to New York.
The city felt different.
Too quiet.
Too still.
Then an old video surfaced online.
Vincent speaking from an unknown location.
"I told you the Romano empire wasn't over."
The video ended.
Another file arrived.
A list of names.
Judges.
Bankers.
Police officers.
Business owners.
All connected to a hidden organization called The Black Ledger.
Matteo stared.
"The real syndicate."
Daniel nodded.
"The one your father worked for."
Matteo's face tightened.
"Vincent wasn't the mastermind."
"No."
Emily whispered.
"Who was?"
A message appeared on the screen.
One name.
Angelo Romano.
Matteo's dead father.
Impossible.
Until the forensic report arrived.
Angelo's death seven years earlier had been staged.
He was alive.
He had been controlling everything from Europe.
Vincent had only been the public face.
Julian had only been the financial architect.
And now Angelo wanted his empire back.
Matteo laughed quietly.
"What?"
Emily asked.
"My father always said family comes first."
He looked at the screen.
"Apparently he forgot to mention which family."
That night, Angelo called.
"You have something that belongs to me."
Matteo answered.
"My entire life?"
"The trust."
Emily looked at him.
Angelo continued.
"Your secretary has inherited what your mother once owned."
"She isn't my secretary anymore."
A pause.
"Then what is she?"
Matteo smiled.
"My wife."
Angelo went silent.
"You haven't married."
"We will."
"You won't."
The line ended.
Emily looked at Matteo.
"He's going to stop the wedding."
"Let him try."
The wedding venue was changed.
Security doubled.
Guests were screened.
Nora stayed with Daniel.
The ceremony began at noon.
Emily walked down the aisle.
Matteo stood waiting.
His eyes filled.
"I remember this."
She smiled.
"All of it?"
"No."
He took her hand.
"Just the important part."
They exchanged vows.
Then, just before the rings were placed, the doors opened.
A man walked inside.
Older.
Silver-haired.
Cold eyes.
Matteo went still.
Emily recognized him from the portrait.
Angelo Romano.
His father.
Alive.
Armed men surrounded the room.
Angelo smiled.
"My son."
Matteo stepped forward.
"You should have stayed dead."
Angelo laughed.
"You were always dramatic."
"You tried to kill me."
"No."
Angelo looked at Emily.
"I tried to correct you."
Matteo moved in front of her.
Angelo shook his head.
"You don't understand the world you're in."
"I understand it better than you think."
Angelo looked toward Nora.
Then smiled.
"There is my granddaughter."
Emily pulled Nora closer.
Angelo said, "She belongs to the family."
Matteo answered:
"She belongs to herself."
Angelo's expression darkened.
He raised a hand.
His men advanced.
Then every door in the room opened.
Federal agents entered.
Daniel had called them.
Matteo had anticipated the move.
Angelo's people surrendered.
But Angelo himself disappeared through a side door.
Matteo chased him.
The two men reached the rooftop.
Wind tore across the city.
Angelo looked over the edge.
"You really think you can erase what I built?"
Matteo stood several feet away.
"No."
He lowered his weapon.
"I'm going to erase what you made me."
Angelo stared.
"You became weak."
Matteo shook his head.
"No."
He smiled.
"I became free."
Sirens echoed below.
Angelo was arrested.
The empire ended.
And downstairs, Emily waited with Nora.
When Matteo returned, Emily asked:
"Are you okay?"
He nodded.
Then he looked at her wedding dress.
"We're getting married."
She laughed.
"We've already started."
"No."
May you like
He took her hand.
"This time without interruptions."
