Chapter 15 - THE WAR SALVATORE LEFT BEHIND
Salvatore’s arrest created a vacuum.
Men who had obeyed him began fighting over routes, money, and influence.
Victor Lane remained missing.
He had killed Adrian and participated in the convoy attack.
Marisol believed he now worked for Salvatore’s former partner, Vincent Moretti.
Vincent controlled warehouses along the eastern docks.
He refused Luca’s order to close illegal operations.
Instead, he sent a coffin to the Costello estate.
Inside was a child-sized dance shoe.
Maya’s name was written across the sole.
Elena wanted to leave Chicago.
Luca agreed.
Maya refused.
“I just found him.”
“You are not losing him,” Elena said.
“We are going somewhere safe.”
“Safe means people keep deciding for me.”
Elena knelt.
“Safe means you get to grow up.”
Maya looked toward Luca.
He did not ask her to be brave.
Children should not have needed courage against adult violence.
“We are ending this,” he said.
“Then you and your mother can choose where we build our life.”
“Our life?” Elena asked.
Luca met her eyes.
“If you allow it.”
Marisol traced the coffin to a funeral supplier connected to Vincent.
Federal agents had enough evidence to arrest several dock supervisors but not Vincent himself.
Luca offered to testify about every criminal operation associated with his family.
The decision shocked Marisol.
“You understand what cooperation means.”
“Yes.”
“You may lose most of your companies.”
“Yes.”
“You could face charges.”
“Yes.”
Elena stood beside him.
“Why now?”
“Because Maya cannot inherit a kingdom built from threats.”
Luca provided account books, names, and property records.
In return, prosecutors considered his medical captivity and cooperation.
The operation against Vincent began at dawn.
Before agents reached the docks, an explosion tore through Warehouse Nine.
Evidence burned.
Victor Lane’s body was found inside.
Vincent had killed the last man who could connect him to the convoy attack.
Then Maya disappeared from her school transport van.
The driver was found unconscious.
A red dance ribbon lay on the seat.
Vincent called Luca directly.
“Salvatore ruled you from a wheelchair.”
“I’ll rule you through your daughter.”
Luca’s hand tightened around the phone.
“What do you want?”
“The original Costello ledgers.”
“They are in federal custody.”
“Then get them back.”
Luca looked at Elena.
Her face had become completely still.
Vincent laughed.
May you like
“You have six hours.”
The line went dead.
