Chapter 8 - The Fall of the Falcon
The judge, an uncorrupted veteran of the circuit court, reviewed the evidence for less than twenty minutes. The link between Falcone and the emergency removal order was undeniable.
"The removal order is rescinded immediately," the judge declared, slamming her gavel down. "Ethan Salvatichi is to be returned to his legal father's custody. Furthermore, I am forwarding these financial records to the federal grand jury currently investigating the Falcone organization for judicial corruption."
As we walked out of the courtroom, the hallway was swarming with federal marshals. Don Falcone himself was being led out of the elevators in handcuffs, his empire completely dismantled by the financial trail Vincent and the court documents had exposed.
Dante didn't look at his falling rival. He walked straight through the double doors, his eyes locking onto Grace. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms right in front of the assembled reporters and lawyers, holding her so tight her feet left the marble floor.
"We have to go get our boy," Dante whispered into her hair, his voice rough with emotion.
"He's waiting for us, Dante," Grace smiled through her tears.
When the luxury SUV pulled up to the St. Jude Home, Ethan was standing on the steps, flanked by two nervous social workers. The moment he saw the black vehicle, his small face lit up like a sunrise. He ran down the stone steps, throwing himself into Dante's arms as his father knelt to meet him.
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"I knew you'd come," Ethan sobbed, his hands clutching Dante’s neck. "The sunshine lady promised."
Dante looked over Ethan’s shoulder at Grace, who was standing by the open car door, the afternoon sun highlighting the gold in her green eyes. "The sunshine lady is never leaving us, Ethan. She's part of the family now."
