Chapter 12 - A Dangerous Alliance
The next morning, the media circus began.
“Fierro Global Under Federal Investigation: Is the Reformed Syndicate Still Running Contraband?” The headlines flashed across the television screen in Jessica’s office. She watched with a sinking heart as news anchors speculated on Giovanni's sudden reformation. They painted him as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and by extension, they painted Jessica as a gold-digging accomplice.
She turned off the TV just as her phone rang. It was an unknown number.
Normally, she wouldn't answer, but a strange premonition made her press the receiver to her ear. "Hello?"
"Hello, Jessica. Long time no see."
The voice was grating, weak, yet filled with a pathetic attempt at arrogance. It was Tyler.
"What do you want, Tyler?" Jessica said, her voice dripping with cold contempt. "I told you at the wedding—you are irrelevant to us. If you are calling to beg for money, the answer is no."
Tyler let out a bitter, wet laugh. "Oh, I'm not begging, Jess. Not anymore. You think you're safe in that big mansion with your mobster husband? You think he actually loves you? He bought you. Just like he bought the judge, and just like he bought my silence. But the truth is coming out."
"You signed the custody papers, Tyler. You abandoned Lily."
"I was coerced!" Tyler snarled, his voice cracking. "Under duress! That's what my new lawyers are saying. And guess what? There are people out there who hate Giovanni Fierro a lot more than I do. People with very deep pockets who are willing to help a grieving father get his daughter back."
Jessica’s grip on the phone tightened until her knuckles turned white. "If you come near my daughter, Tyler, I swear to God—"
"You'll do what? Have your husband kill me? Let him try. The FBI is watching every move he makes right now. One wrong step, and he goes away for life, and Lily comes back to me and Vanessa. Have a nice day, Jess."
The line went dead.
Jessica stood up, her chest heaving. She immediately dialed Giovanni, but it went straight to voicemail. She called Marco.
"Marco, where is Giovanni?"
"He's in a closed-door meeting with the board of directors, Jessica. They are panicking about the federal investigation. What's wrong?"
"Tyler just called me," Jessica said, her voice shaking with rage. "He’s working with someone. Someone is funding him to sue for custody of Lily to distract Giovanni and drag his name through the mud while the federal investigation is happening."
"Damn it," Marco cursed. "We suspected as much. Giovanni’s uncle, Matteo, has been very quiet since the syndicate dissolved. He opposed the reformation from the beginning. He lost millions when Giovanni shut down the drug routes."
"Matteo is funding Tyler," Jessica realized, the puzzle pieces falling into place. "He’s using Tyler to break Giovanni's focus. If Giovanni lashes out and hurts Tyler, he violates his federal bail conditions and proves the media right."
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"Exactly," Marco said. "Do not leave the house, Jessica. I am sending additional guards to Lily's school right now to bring her home."
Jessica hung up, staring out the window. She realized then that being a passive observer was no longer an option. Giovanni had fought the wars of the past to protect her. Now, it was her turn to fight for their future.
