The Mafia Boss Locked the Door After Midnight — Then His Secretary Whispered Why She Was Leaving
Chapter 10
The old church was empty when Isabella arrived.
She carried the flash drive.
Vincent wanted to come with her.
She refused.
“This is about my mother.”
Vincent looked at her.
“And your child.”
“I know.”
“Then you’re not going alone.”
She smiled faintly.
“I knew you’d say that.”
They entered together.
Richard stood near the altar.
Marco was tied to a chair.
Celia stood nearby.
Gabriel was missing.
Isabella stepped forward.
“Let him go.”
Richard smiled.
“Give me the drive.”
She held it up.
“You first.”
Richard shook his head.
“You don’t understand your position.”
“I understand perfectly.”
She looked at Marco.
“You wanted the ledger because it contains evidence.”
“Yes.”
“Evidence against you.”
“No.”
“Against your entire organization.”
Richard smiled.
“Not just mine.”
He revealed something unexpected.
Several government officials had been involved.
Bankers.
Developers.
Law enforcement officers.
The Raven Group wasn’t simply a criminal organization.
It was a network built into legitimate institutions.
Richard had spent decades protecting it.
“The ledger would destroy everything,” he said.
“Good.”
Richard laughed.
“You think truth is powerful?”
“Yes.”
“Truth is only powerful when people survive long enough to tell it.”
He raised his weapon.
Vincent stepped forward.
“Richard.”
“Stay where you are.”
Vincent stopped.
Richard looked at Isabella.
“You were always the weakness.”
Isabella shook her head.
“No.”
She pressed the flash drive.
“You were.”
Richard frowned.
“What did you do?”
“The ledger was uploaded hours ago.”
Richard’s face changed.
“Where?”
“To everyone.”
Vincent stared at her.
She had sent copies to journalists, federal investigators, and multiple attorneys.
Richard realized he had already lost.
Then the church doors opened.
Police officers entered.
Federal agents followed.
Richard looked around.
“Who betrayed me?”
Gabriel walked through the doorway.
Richard’s face went pale.
“You.”
Gabriel nodded.
“I was never yours.”
He turned toward Vincent.
“I’ve been working with federal investigators for years.”
Vincent stared.
“You knew?”
“No.”
Gabriel smiled.
“That was the point.”
Richard dropped his weapon.
Marco was freed.
Isabella ran to him.
He held her tightly.
“I thought I lost you.”
“You didn’t.”
“I wanted to come back.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because I was afraid they’d use you against me.”
Isabella pulled away.
“You should have trusted me.”
Marco nodded.
“You’re right.”
Vincent approached.
Marco looked at him.
“I owe you an apology.”
Vincent shook his head.
“We both made mistakes.”
Then he hugged his brother.
For the first time in six years.
The family secret that had destroyed them was finally exposed.
But Isabella noticed something.
Richard was smiling.
She looked at him.
“What?”
Richard said nothing.
Then he whispered:
“You still haven’t found the second ledger.”
Everyone froze.
Vincent turned.
“What second ledger?”
Richard smiled.
“Ask your father.”
Vincent’s face went pale.
“My father is dead.”
Richard laughed.
“No.”
He leaned back.
“He isn’t.”
