Chapter 9 - THE TRAP
We announced Anthony's death.
The news spread through Baltimore before sunrise.
Anthony Pellagrini had died from complications after a shooting.
Vincent called within two hours.
He wanted the mansion.
The businesses.
And custody of Luca.
Exactly as we expected.
At the funeral, I wore black.
Luca held my hand.
An empty coffin sat beneath white flowers.
Anthony watched through hidden cameras from a secure room beneath the mansion.
Vincent arrived late.
Salvatore arrived disguised as a priest.
I recognized his eyes.
He approached Luca.
“My child.”
I stepped between them.
He smiled.
“Evelyn.”
“You knew my mother.”
“I knew everyone.”
“You killed Isabella.”
His smile remained.
“She was inconvenient.”
My hands shook.
I wanted to hurt him.
Instead, I remembered Anthony.
Stop reacting.
So I smiled.
“The ledger isn't complete.”
Salvatore's expression changed.
“I have the final account numbers.”
“You're lying.”
“Ask Isabella.”
His face hardened.
I leaned closer.
“She left another video.”
Salvatore grabbed my arm.
That was the signal.
The church doors locked.
Marco's men appeared.
Then Anthony stepped from behind the altar.
Alive.
Vincent screamed.
Salvatore stared at his son.
Anthony walked toward him.
“You killed my wife.”
Salvatore reached for a gun.
Luca's voice stopped him.
“Grandpa?”
Everyone froze.
Luca stood behind me.
“Why did you hurt my mommy?”
Salvatore looked at the child.
For one second, I thought something human might remain inside him.
Then he raised the gun.
At Luca.
Anthony fired.
One shot.
Salvatore fell.
The nightmare ended before his body touched the floor.
Vincent surrendered.
The corrupt officers named in Isabella's ledger were arrested over the following weeks.
Celeste survived her wound and traded testimony for protection.
The Pellagrini empire cracked open.
Anthony could have rebuilt it.
May you like
Instead, he did something nobody expected.
He walked away.
