She Found Who Was Robbing the Don’s Syndicate—Then He Claimed Her Before Everyone
Chapter 10
Thomas was not the mastermind.
He was the son of Antonio Belladonna’s former steward.
His father had been promised protection in exchange for silence.
When Antonio died, Thomas inherited the secret.
Lorenzo found him years later.
He offered money.
Thomas accepted.
But then Thomas discovered Lorenzo intended to kill Matteo.
He began secretly keeping copies of the transactions.
That was why he had warned Elena.
That was why he had followed her.
He was guilty.
But he was also afraid.
They found him at an abandoned riverside tavern.
Thomas surrendered without a fight.
“I didn’t kill anyone,” he said.
Matteo stared at him.
“You helped them.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I thought they would kill my family.”
“You sold mine.”
Thomas lowered his head.
“I know.”
Elena stepped between them.
“Who is the real master?”
Thomas looked at her.
“You already know.”
“Say it.”
Thomas hesitated.
“Caruso.”
Elena felt the pieces fall into place.
Silvio Caruso had been Matteo’s trusted lieutenant for twenty years.
He controlled the guards.
He controlled the warehouses.
He knew every route.
And he had been close enough to Matteo’s father to poison him.
Matteo closed his eyes.
“Where is he?”
Thomas swallowed.
“He will be at the harbor tonight.”
“Why?”
“Because the final shipment leaves tonight.”
Matteo looked toward the river.
“What shipment?”
“The one worth more than everything you’ve already lost.”
That night, the harbor filled with fog.
Dozens of crates waited beside the river.
Men moved quietly between the warehouses.
Elena and Matteo watched from an upper window.
Caruso arrived shortly before midnight.
He did not come alone.
Lorenzo walked beside him.
So did several armed men.
Elena whispered, “He brought half the house.”
Matteo’s jaw tightened.
“Then he intends to take the other half.”
Caruso stopped beneath the lantern.
He looked directly toward the window.
Then he smiled.
“He knows we’re here.”
Matteo turned to Elena.
“Stay behind me.”
She shook her head.
“No.”
His eyes narrowed.
“I said stay behind me.”
“And I said no.”
For a moment, something almost like amusement appeared in his eyes.
Then he took her hand.
They descended the stairs together.
The moment Matteo stepped into the harbor yard, every gun was raised.
Caruso smiled.
“You should have stayed in your study, Don Matteo.”
Matteo’s voice was calm.
“You should have stayed loyal.”
Caruso laughed.
“Loyalty is for men who have something left to lose.”
Then he pointed at Elena.
“She is the reason you are going to lose everything.”
