Chapter 7 - THE UNCLE WHO CAME TO THE FUNERAL TWICE
Bruno refused to cooperate.
He believed Salvatore would free him.
Salvatore did not try.
He issued a statement condemning Bruno as a disturbed former employee.
He claimed no knowledge of the poison, Kiara’s death, or the Covenant.
Then he requested an emergency family meeting.
Alejandro agreed.
The meeting took place inside the Moretti estate ballroom under federal surveillance.
Salvatore arrived with his son Marco, six attorneys, and twelve guards.
Ruiz allowed only two guards inside.
Salvatore looked at Alejandro’s bandaged shoulder.
“You are embarrassing our blood before strangers.”
“Our blood murdered my daughter.”
“Bruno murdered her.”
“Bruno followed your order.”
Salvatore smiled sadly.
“Grief has made you easy to manipulate.”
Alejandro played the hidden recording.
Salvatore’s voice filled the ballroom.
Make sure Alejandro sees enough to believe the Lombardis did it.
Marco looked toward his father.
He had never heard the recording.
Salvatore remained calm.
“A voice can be manufactured.”
“The ring cannot prove the hand.”
Emma’s original description had included the crooked finger.
The old camera had captured it.
Ruiz placed a photograph on the table.
Salvatore’s smile weakened.
Alejandro opened David’s ledger.
“The Covenant moved six hundred million dollars.”
“Luca prepared the succession transfer.”
“Rossi killed Kiara.”
“Bruno poisoned my wine.”
“You ordered all of it.”
Salvatore leaned forward.
“I built stability while you mourned.”
“You stopped attending meetings.”
“You let rivals believe the Morettis were weak.”
“I gave you a reason to fight.”
“You killed a child to manage my emotions.”
“I removed an heir who would have turned our businesses legitimate.”
Alejandro became still.
Salvatore had finally said the motive aloud.
Kiara had not died because of a random succession clause.
Alejandro had planned to end the criminal empire for her.
He wanted his daughter to inherit hotels, construction companies, and restaurants without the violence beneath them.
Salvatore believed legitimacy would destroy the family.
He killed Kiara to preserve crime itself.
Marco rose.
“You told me the Lombardis did it.”
Salvatore looked at his son.
“You benefited from the war.”
“I held Kiara at her baptism.”
“And now you hold territory that once belonged to our enemies.”
Marco stepped away.
For the first time, Salvatore’s own son looked at him with horror.
Salvatore noticed.
His hand moved beneath the table.
Gabriel shouted.
A gun appeared.
Salvatore fired toward Alejandro.
Marco struck his father’s arm.
The bullet hit the chandelier.
Glass rained across the table.
Federal agents entered.
Salvatore dragged Marco in front of him and backed toward the terrace.
“You ungrateful boy.”
Marco struggled.
Salvatore pressed the gun beneath his chin.
Alejandro raised his empty hands.
“Let him go.”
“Restore the trust.”
“No.”
“Withdraw the evidence.”
“No.”
“Then your cousin dies.”
Marco looked toward Alejandro.
“Do not do it.”
Salvatore fired into the ceiling.
The terrace doors shattered.
Gabriel moved around the side.
Salvatore saw him.
He pushed Marco away and ran into the snow.
Agents followed.
Salvatore disappeared into the estate gardens.
Beneath the old greenhouse, police found an open tunnel.
It led toward the family chapel.
Inside the chapel waited enough explosives to destroy the estate.
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Salvatore had never intended to negotiate.
He intended to bury everyone beneath the Moretti name.
