The Mafia Boss Locked the Door After Midnight — Then His Secretary Whispered Why She Was Leaving
Chapter 8
Nobody spoke.
Isabella felt sick.
“What are you talking about?”
Celia explained that Marco had discovered a biometric encryption system.
The ledger couldn’t be opened using a password.
It required a unique biological sequence.
Marco had designed the system years earlier.
The sequence was tied to his genetic profile.
But Marco had anticipated that someone might try to capture him.
So he created another method.
His child.
“If the child is his,” Celia said, “the system can recognize the genetic connection.”
Vincent looked at her.
“How do you know this?”
“Because I helped build it.”
Gabriel’s face hardened.
“You were working with Marco?”
Celia nodded.
“For years.”
Vincent stared at his sister.
“Then why betray him?”
“I didn’t.”
“Someone took him.”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
Celia looked at Isabella.
“The Raven Group.”
Vincent turned toward Gabriel.
“Where is Marco?”
“We don’t know.”
Celia shook her head.
“I do.”
Everyone looked at her.
“He’s being held beneath the old Moretti warehouse.”
Vincent immediately grabbed his coat.
“We’re going.”
Celia stopped him.
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
“Because they’re expecting you.”
Vincent paused.
“How do you know?”
“Because I was the one who gave them the location.”
Isabella stared.
“You betrayed him.”
Celia shook her head.
“I gave them the location because Marco wanted to be found.”
Vincent frowned.
“What?”
“He wanted to draw them out.”
Celia handed him a small drive.
“This contains the complete evidence.”
Vincent looked at it.
“Why now?”
“Because tonight is the only chance.”
They arrived at the warehouse after midnight.
The building was abandoned.
Broken windows.
Rusting doors.
No lights.
Vincent entered first.
Gabriel followed.
Isabella stayed behind with Celia.
Then the lights came on.
Dozens of armed men appeared.
At the center stood Marco.
Older.
Thinner.
But alive.
Isabella’s heart stopped.
“Marco.”
He looked at her.
His eyes filled with tears.
“Isabella.”
She ran toward him.
Vincent stopped her.
“Wait.”
Marco shook his head.
“It’s okay.”
He stepped forward.
Then he looked at Vincent.
“I’m sorry.”
Vincent stared.
“For six years.”
“I know.”
“You let me believe you betrayed me.”
“I had to.”
“Why?”
“Because our father was already dead.”
Vincent’s expression changed.
“Who killed him?”
Marco looked toward the shadows.
“The person standing behind you.”
Everyone turned.
Gabriel froze.
A man stepped from the darkness.
Vincent’s oldest adviser.
Richard Moretti.
His uncle.
Vincent’s blood ran cold.
Richard smiled.
“Family reunion.”
Marco looked at Isabella.
“Now you know.”
Richard raised a weapon.
“Give me the ledger.”
Marco laughed.
“You still don’t understand.”
Richard frowned.
“The ledger isn’t yours.”
Marco pointed toward Isabella.
“It’s hers.”
