Chapter 5 - The Ledger in the Dark
By 2:00 AM, the rain outside had turned into a fierce, howling gale that rattled the heavy glass panes of the mansion.
Geno entered the study, holding an encrypted laptop and a stack of printed financial ledgers.
“Boss,” Geno said, setting the papers on Lorenzo’s desk. “We ran a deep sweep on Valentina’s private accounts through our shell networks in Panama. You were right.”
Lorenzo stood beside my chair, his hand still resting protectively over mine. “What did you find?”
“Over the last four months, six million dollars has been quietly siphoned from the Ricci family construction accounts into an offshore account registered under Vance Logistics,” Geno revealed, tapping the screen. “Valentina’s father doesn't even know. She’s been embezzling from her own father to fund Julian Vance’s mercenary network.”
Lorenzo’s expression remained terrifyingly calm. “And the wedding contracts?”
“They were drafted by Charles Bellamy—the same corrupt attorney who represented the Ricci family last year,” Geno said. “Clause 14 of the prenuptial agreement states that in the event of your death or permanent legal incapacitation within ninety days of the wedding, all Moretti shipping assets automatically transfer to Valentina as the surviving spouse.”
I gasped softly, looking up at Lorenzo.
They weren't just planning to steal his territory. They were planning to assassinate him three months after the wedding.
Lorenzo didn't flinch. He walked over to his desk, picking up the bronze chapel key.
“Geno,” Lorenzo commanded. “Prepare three SUVs. Assemble eight men from the primary tactical team. We’re going to St. Jude’s Chapel right now.”
“Boss?” Geno frowned. “It’s two in the morning. The storm is getting worse.”
“Which means Julian Vance’s lookouts won't be expecting us,” Lorenzo replied, pulling a heavy silver pistol from his desk drawer and sliding it into his shoulder holster.
He turned to me.
“Sophia,” Lorenzo said gently. “You and Lena are coming with us.”
May you like
I blinked in surprise. “To the chapel?”
“My house is no longer secure as long as Valentina’s network knows where you are,” Lorenzo explained, walking over to pick up Lena, who was still fast asleep in her fleece blanket. He lifted my six-year-old daughter into his arms with effortless grace, cradling her head against his broad shoulder. “You stay by my side until this is finished.”
