Chapter 5 - CLEANSING THE HOUSE
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The estate was filled with the deafening roar of black SUVs arriving outside.
Luca’s trusted inner circle stormed the residence, securing every perimeter gate and exterior window.
The storm raged on, but inside, an era of betrayal was ending.
Luca stood tall in the center of the grand entryway, completely composed once more.
“Take Julian’s dog out to the compound,” Luca instructed his lieutenant, Matteo.
“Find out where Vance is hiding his remaining assets.”
“When you are done with him, hand him to the federal authorities with an anonymous tip.”
Matteo nodded firmly.
“And what about Mrs. Moretti, boss?”
Vanessa looked up, her mascara running in black streaks down her face.
“Luca, please!”
“Give me one chance!”
“I’ll leave the country!”
“I’ll disappear forever and never speak his name again!”
Luca didn’t spare her a single glance.
“Take her phone, her passport, her jewelry, and every credit card carrying my name.”
His voice was colder than the rain beating against the glass.
“Drive her to the state border in the clothes she is wearing.”
“If she ever steps foot in the state of Illinois again, put her in the concrete foundation of the new harbor.”
Vanessa screamed as two guards hoisted her up by her elbows.
She kicked and cursed, thrashing against their iron grips.
“You’re a monster, Luca!”
She shrieked as they dragged her toward the double doors.
“You’ll always be alone!”
“You’ll die in this mausoleum with that broken brat and that rotten carcass of a dog!”
The heavy front doors slammed shut behind her, cutting off her poisonous voice forever.
The sudden quiet that descended over the grand foyer was almost deafening.
Only the sound of Benjamin’s muffled sniffling remained.
Luca stood perfectly still, his back turned to us.
His broad shoulders rose and fell with heavy, ragged breaths.
For five years, I had served this man coffee, cleaned his study, and kept his secrets.
I had never seen him look defeated.
Until this very moment.
He looked down at his own trembling hands, then turned slowly around.
His eyes landed on Benjamin, who was still clinging to me on the cold floor.
Then he looked at Bruno.
The elderly dog had collapsed back down onto the soaked towel I had laid out earlier.
Bruno’s breathing was shallow and rattling.
The cold rain he had endured for hours had taken a terrible toll on his fragile lungs.
Luca walked toward us, his heavy footfalls slow and deliberate.
I instinctively braced myself, wondering if I had crossed an unforgivable line by speaking out.
Instead, the most feared syndicate leader in Chicago fell to both knees on the wet marble floor.
He reached out with a trembling hand and gently cupped his son’s tear-stained cheek.
“I am so sorry, Benjamin.”
Luca’s voice broke into a raw, ragged sob.
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“Daddy didn't protect you.”
“Daddy almost let them take you away.”
