Tipsy Waitress Poked the Mafia Boss’s Chest—Then He Slung Her Over His Shoulder and Took Her
Chapter 9
Luca refused to let Mia go to the church.
She refused to stay behind.
The argument lasted ten minutes.
Then Luca finally said, “You have no idea what these people are capable of.”
Mia stared at him.
“I know exactly what they’re capable of.”
She held up the photograph of her father.
“They took him from me once.”
Her voice cracked.
“They’re not taking anyone else.”
Luca looked away.
Something about her determination frightened him.
Not because she was reckless.
Because she reminded him of himself.
Saint Mary’s Church stood empty beneath a stormy sky.
Luca entered first.
Mia followed.
Nothing.
Then the lights came on.
Marcus Vale stood near the altar.
Older now.
Gray-haired.
Calm.
Beside him stood a man Mia had never expected to see.
Her father.
Alive.
Mia stopped breathing.
“Dad?”
The man looked at her.
His eyes filled with tears.
“Mia.”
She ran toward him.
Luca grabbed her arm.
“Wait.”
Her father shook his head.
“It’s okay.”
Marcus smiled.
“Touching.”
Luca raised his gun.
“Release them.”
Marcus laughed.
“You still think this is about money.”
He pointed toward the ledger.
“This destroys governments.”
“Then why bring Mia here?”
“Because her father wouldn’t cooperate.”
Mia stared at her father.
“Why did you leave me?”
He looked broken.
“I didn’t.”
Marcus stepped closer.
“I made sure he disappeared.”
Mia’s face went white.
Her father continued.
“I tried to protect you from the people behind the network.”
“Why didn’t you come back?”
“Because every attempt would have put you in danger.”
Marcus smiled.
“Until your mother hid the final ledger.”
Luca looked at him.
“Where is the rest?”
Marcus’s smile vanished.
“You have it.”
Luca understood.
The ledger in his hand wasn’t merely evidence.
It was a map.
Coordinates.
Names.
Every hidden account.
Every safe house.
Every person who had helped Marcus.
Mia looked at Luca.
“What are you going to do?”
Luca didn’t answer.
Then the church windows shattered.
Gunfire erupted.
