Chapter 9 - The Reckoning
By midnight, the storm had passed, leaving behind a cold, quiet fog that draped over the estate gardens.
The police were not called. The Moretti family handled their business internally.
In the grand library on the first floor, Leo Vance and Julian were forced to their knees on the Persian rug. Their hands were bound tightly behind their backs with zip-ties. Surrounding them were eight armed Moretti guards, led by a bandaged but conscious Marco.
Dominic sat in a high-backed leather chair opposite them, a lit cigar resting between his fingers. His face was cold, carved from marble, completely devoid of mercy.
Salvatore sat beside his eldest son. The old man looked ten years older, his heart broken by the betrayal of his youngest child, but his eyes were sharp and unyielding.
Penelope stood near the doorway, wrapped in a warm cashmere blanket that Dominic had placed around her shoulders himself.
"Please, Dominic!" Julian wept, tears streaming down his bruised face. "Vance forced me! He threatened to kill me if I didn't help him take over the docks! I'm your brother! Your blood!"
Dominic took a slow, deliberate puff of his cigar, blowing a ring of white smoke toward the ceiling.
"You brought mercenaries into our father's home, Julian," Dominic said, his voice terrifyingly quiet. "You put a toxin in his tea. You put a gun to the head of the woman I love."
Julian’s head snapped toward Penelope, shock flashing across his wet face.
Dominic stood up slowly. He walked over to Leo Vance, looking down at the man who had insulted Penelope weeks ago.
"Take Vance to the docks," Dominic commanded Marco flatly. "Ensure he never sees the sun again."
Marco nodded, dragging the screaming, pleading man out of the library.
Then Dominic turned to his brother.
"You are no longer a Moretti," Dominic said, looking down at Julian with pure disgust. "Your name is erased from every trust, every business, and every family record. You will be taken to a private estate in northern Canada. You will live there under twenty-four-hour guard. You will never set foot in New York again. If you attempt to leave, the guards have orders to end your life."
Julian sobbed uncontrollably as two guards lifted him by his arms and dragged him out into the night.
When the room fell silent, Salvatore stood up heavily. He walked over to Penelope, taking both of her hands in his calloused palms.
"You saved my life, figlia mia," Salvatore whispered, his voice cracking with deep emotion. "You protected this family when my own blood tried to destroy it."
"You are family to me, Don Salvatore," Penelope answered softly, kissing the old man’s cheek.
May you like
Salvatore looked at his eldest son, offering a tired, knowing smile. "I am going to bed. Do not spend the rest of the night talking about business, Dominic."
The old man walked out, leaving Penelope and Dominic alone in the vast, firelit library.
