Chapter 16 - The Burning of the Ledger
The rescue was complete, but the war required a final period. Dante’s men had secured the estate, disarming the remaining Moretti loyalists. Luciana was bound and brought to the central courtyard, where the morning sun was finally breaking through the heavy grey clouds.
Dante stood before her, flanked by Valentin and a dozen armed men. Mara held Lena close near the armored SUV, keeping the little girl’s face buried in her shoulder so she wouldn't see the final act of the underworld drama.
"Kill me," Luciana spat, looking up at Dante with defiant hatred. "My people will just find another leader. The Moretti name will never stop hunting you."
Dante pulled a thick leather ledger from his jacket—the account book containing the secret financial networks, the names of every corrupt official, and the hidden assets of both the Moretti and the old Graziani empires. It was the source of all the power, the money, and the blood that had defined his life.
"You're wrong, Luciana," Dante said quietly. He didn't draw his gun. Instead, he pulled a silver lighter from his pocket. "The Moretti name dies today. Not with blood, but with poverty."
He flicked the lighter, holding the flame to the edge of the ledger. The paper caught instantly, the dry leaves of the book turning into a hungry, orange fire. He dropped the burning ledger onto the marble floor at Luciana’s feet.
"Every account listed in there has been liquidated and transferred to anonymous global charities," Dante said, watching the names of kings and monsters turn to ash. "The names of the corrupt officials have been sent to the federal prosecutor's office via an untraceable leak. By noon, your assets will be frozen, your contacts will be fleeing the country, and the Moretti family will have exactly zero dollars to pay a single soldier."
Luciana stared at the burning paper, her face draining of color. "You... you destroyed it all. The entire syndicate. Everything we built!"
"I didn't destroy it," Dante said, turning his back on her. "I outgrew it. Valentin, leave her here. Without money, she’s just a ghost. And ghosts can't hurt my family."
He walked away from the screaming woman, his steps light, the heavy burden of the Don lifting from his shoulders with every inch of paper that burned to ash behind him. He reached the SUV, opening the door for Mara and Lena.
May you like
As he climbed into the front seat, he looked at Mara in the rearview mirror. The flour on her cheek was mixed with soot, and her wedding dress was completely ruined, but she was smiling.
"So," Dante said, the familiar, booming warmth returning to his voice. "Who wants to help me rebuild a kitchen?"
