Chapter 8 - I Walked Into Vance’s Trap Knowing I Might Never Walk Out
The plan was simple.
Too simple.
Vance believed I would trade myself for the archive.
So I allowed him to believe it.
We arranged a meeting at an abandoned theater in Manhattan.
I arrived alone.
No visible weapons.
No bodyguards.
No Vincent.
Vance appeared from the shadows.
He looked older than the photographs.
But his eyes were the same.
Cold.
Patient.
“You came.”
“You threatened my city.”
“I threatened your empire.”
“It isn't my empire anymore.”
He laughed.
“You sound like your father.”
“I've heard that before.”
“Where is the child?”
“Safe.”
“The archive?”
“With me.”
“Give it to me.”
“No.”
He raised his gun.
“You seem confused.”
“I know exactly what I'm doing.”
I pressed a button.
Every screen in the theater turned on.
The archive opened.
But I hadn't uploaded the real archive.
I had uploaded everything Vance had done.
Every transaction.
Every bribery record.
Every murder order.
And every name.
His face changed.
“What did you do?”
“Made sure the whole city knows.”
He looked toward the exits.
Police sirens began outside.
Vance smiled.
“Do you really think they'll stop me?”
“No.”
I stepped closer.
“But they aren't coming for you.”
He frowned.
I pointed toward the screen.
A live feed showed federal agents surrounding every company he controlled.
Then another feed.
His accounts frozen.
His judges arrested.
His police contacts detained.
Vance looked at me.
“You think this ends me?”
“No.”
I smiled.
“It ends your silence.”
He fired.
I ducked.
Theater lights exploded.
Men rushed in from both sides.
Vincent.
Daniel.
Marco.
The entire Moretti security team.
Vance tried to escape.
Daniel tackled him.
They crashed through the stage.
Vance pulled a knife.
Daniel stopped his wrist.
“You took twenty years from me.”
Vance laughed.
“And you still came running.”
Daniel's hand tightened.
“No.”
He looked toward his wife, standing safely behind federal agents.
“I came home.”
Vance was arrested.
The theater fell silent.
I searched for Vincent.
He stood near the entrance.
Bleeding.
A cut across his shoulder.
I ran to him.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“You're bleeding.”
“I've had worse.”
I punched his arm.
“You all say that.”
He laughed.
Then I hugged him.
He froze.
For a man who feared no one, affection still seemed to confuse him.
“I thought I lost you,” I whispered.
“You didn't.”
“I thought you were dead.”
“Not yet.”
Behind us, Elena cried.
Mia ran toward me.
“Uncle Luca!”
I picked her up.
She wrapped her arms around my neck.
“Boss.”
“Yes?”
“You did it.”
I smiled.
“Thank you for the order.”
She kissed my cheek.
Then whispered:
“Now make Mommy happy.”
I looked toward Elena.
She was crying.
But this time they were happy tears.
I walked toward her.
“May I?”
She nodded.
I took her hand.
“I'm sorry.”
“For what?”
“For every day you thought you were alone.”
She shook her head.
“You changed that.”
Vincent watched us.
Then Isabella stepped beside him.
“Are you going to tell him?”
Vincent looked confused.
“Tell me what?”
Isabella smiled.
“Ask him.”
Vincent sighed.
Then he looked at Elena.
And said:
“You shouldn't stay with Luca because you need protection.”
Elena blinked.
“Why?”
“Because he loves you.”
I froze.
Elena stared at me.
I swallowed.
“I do.”
She looked at me for a long time.
May you like
Then smiled through her tears.
“I was hoping you did.”
