Chapter 7 - The Final Vendetta
Six months after the council’s judgment, the transition of the Moretti empire into legitimate logistics was nearly complete. Under Gabriel’s firm direction, the dark dealings of the past were dismantled one by one. However, the ghost of Victor Moretti still lingered in the shadows.
Exiled to a impoverished village in Sicily, Victor’s hatred had only festered. Unable to accept his total loss of status, he spent his remaining hidden offshore funds to hire a rogue mercenary unit operating out of Eastern Europe. His goal was simple and insane: a final, desperate strike to eradicate Gabriel’s new life at its root.
It was a crisp late-October evening in Westchester. Gabriel was in his study review contracts with Marcus Vance when Cole Mercer walked in, his expression dark as storm clouds.
"Gabriel, our intelligence network in Rome just flagged a heavy transaction," Cole said, placing an encrypted tablet on the desk. "Victor sold his last remaining heritage villa in Palermo three days ago. The funds were wired to an untraceable account linked to the 'Red Brotherhood'—a mercenary outfit specialized in high-risk abductions."
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed, cold fury flashing in his dark gaze. "Target?"
"Their primary cell entered the US via the Canadian border last night," Cole replied. "They aren't coming for you, Gabriel. They know your security is impenetrable. They’re tracking the supply transport routes used by the new Vance Foundation children's hospital project."
Gabriel stood up slowly, the air in the room turning dangerously heavy. Natalie and Daniel were scheduled to attend the cornerstone ribbon-cutting ceremony for that very hospital the following morning.
"Victor still thinks like a rat in a corner," Gabriel said, his voice dropping into a razor-sharp whisper. "He thinks he can use terror to force me back into the gutter. He hasn't realized that a man protecting his wife and child is infinitely more dangerous than a crime boss protecting territory."
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"Should we cancel the ceremony?" Marcus asked cautiously.
"No," Gabriel replied firmly. "Canceling shows fear. We set the perimeter, we let them walk into the light, and we finish Victor’s legacy once and for all."
