Chapter 6 - The Wedding Begins
The wedding morning arrived under a clear blue sky.
The city celebrated.
Television crews gathered outside the cathedral.
Luxury cars lined the streets.
Thousands of people watched the most anticipated wedding of the year.
Marello Vitali was finally marrying Bianca De Luca.
At least, that was what everyone believed.
Inside the secure residence, Marello stood in front of the mirror.
His suit was black.
His tie was dark red.
His expression was unreadable.
He looked at me through the reflection.
"Do I look like a man about to die?"
I smiled.
"No."
"Good."
He walked toward me.
"Do I look like a man in love?"
I laughed.
"You look like a man planning something illegal."
He smiled.
"Much better."
Leo ran in.
"Papa!"
Marello crouched.
"Ready?"
Leo nodded.
"I have my special shoes."
Marello fixed his collar.
"You look handsome."
"You too."
I kissed Leo.
"Remember what we practiced."
He nodded.
"If anything happens, stay with Marcus."
"And?"
"Don't trust anyone unless Mama says."
Marello added:
"And if you get scared, find me."
Leo smiled.
"Okay."
Claudia approached.
She was disguised as an older guest.
No one recognized her.
She kissed Leo.
"Be brave."
He hugged her.
Then the convoy left.
The ceremony began at noon.
Bianca walked down the aisle.
She looked perfect.
White dress.
Diamond veil.
Soft smile.
No one knew what was underneath.
Marello waited at the altar.
When she reached him, he took her hand.
His eyes briefly met mine.
The signal.
Everything was ready.
The vows began.
Bianca said hers without hesitation.
"I promise to love you."
Marello smiled.
"I promise to protect you."
The priest continued.
"Do you, Marello Vitali, take Bianca—"
A gunshot exploded somewhere outside.
The church erupted in panic.
Security moved.
Guests screamed.
Bianca grabbed Marello's arm.
He remained calm.
The traitorous guard opened the side door.
Two armed men rushed in.
Marcus intercepted them.
At the same moment, Bianca reached inside her bouquet.
She pulled out a tiny vial.
Marello caught her wrist.
Her expression changed.
For the first time, her mask broke completely.
"You knew."
He stared at her.
"Everything."
She struggled.
"Let me go."
"No."
Dario entered through the rear doors with armed men.
"Move away from her!"
Marello smiled.
"Right on schedule."
Lights shut off.
The church went dark.
Sirens sounded.
Hidden security teams emerged from the walls.
Within seconds, the attackers were disarmed.
Dario tried to escape.
Marcus stopped him.
Bianca collapsed to the floor.
She stared at Marello.
"You think you've won?"
"Yes."
"You don't know who you're dealing with."
"Stefano."
Her eyes widened.
He smiled.
"You gave him away."
She began laughing.
"Stefano has already taken everything."
Marello froze.
"What?"
Bianca looked toward the altar.
"The account."
He checked his phone.
A transaction alert appeared.
The fake account had been accessed.
But the thieves had not taken fake money.
They had triggered the tracker.
Their location had been exposed.
Marello's men were already moving.
Bianca realized the trap too late.
"You used the account as bait."
"Yes."
"You monster."
He leaned closer.
"No."
His voice was cold.
"You're the one who poisoned people."
Then the church doors opened.
Claudia walked in.
Bianca's face went white.
"Impossible."
Claudia smiled.
"Hello, Bianca."
Bianca staggered backward.
"You died."
"No."
Claudia pointed at her.
"You only wished I had."
The police arrived moments later.
Dario was arrested.
Bianca was arrested.
The corrupt security men were arrested.
But Stefano was gone.
He had escaped from the offshore location.
Then the final message arrived.
On Marello's phone.
You think this ends with Bianca?
It doesn't.
I still have the boy.
Marello's face changed.
He looked at me.
"Leo."
Marcus rushed in.
"Boss."
His face was pale.
"The secure house has been breached."
I couldn't breathe.
"Where is my son?"
No one answered.
Then the phone rang.
A man's voice came through.
Stefano.
"Congratulations on your wedding, nephew."
Marello's eyes turned murderous.
"You touched my son."
"No."
A pause.
"I took him."
I screamed.
"Leo!"
Stefano laughed.
"You have one hour."
Marello grabbed his coat.
"Where?"
The answer came.
"The place where your family began."
The call ended.
Claudia whispered:
"The old Vitali estate."
Marello looked at me.
"I'll bring him home."
I grabbed his hand.
"We go together."
May you like
He nodded.
"Together."
