Chapter 9 - THE UNCLE WHO CHOSE THE CAR
Victor moved so fast three agents stepped between them.
“You killed them.”
Salvatore’s face remained calm.
“I made a choice.”
Victor lunged.
I caught his arm.
Not because I could stop him physically.
Because he looked at me.
That hesitation saved everything.
“Don’t,” I whispered.
His chest heaved.
“He murdered my parents.”
“I know.”
“You want me to let him stand there?”
“I want Mia to keep her brother.”
The words hit.
Victor stopped.
Slowly.
Painfully.
He stepped back.
Salvatore looked almost disappointed.
“Your father would have hit me.”
“Good thing I’m not him.”
For the first time, Salvatore’s confidence slipped.
Hannah DeLuca told the rest.
Carlo discovered that Salvatore had turned Romano shipping routes into a private criminal network.
Antonio Romano—Victor’s father—planned to expose him.
Carlo arranged to destroy financial records Salvatore had hidden in the garage.
The explosive device was timed for midnight.
The garage should have been empty.
Salvatore discovered the plan.
Instead of removing the bomb, he changed Antonio’s travel schedule.
Victor’s parents entered the garage minutes before detonation.
Mia was with them.
Victor should have been too.
But Hannah DeLuca intercepted him with a fake phone call.
That saved his life.
Mia survived because Hannah reached the burning vehicle first.
“Why did she think Carlo died?” I asked.
Salvatore smiled bitterly.
“Because I made everyone think he did.”
Victor looked at him.
“You framed him.”
“I needed the family to believe the traitor was gone.”
“What about Carlo now?”
Salvatore’s expression changed.
“He escaped.”
Hannah stared.
“When?”
“Three days ago.”
“You told me you moved him.”
“I lied.”
Victor laughed without humor.
“Seems hereditary.”
Then Marco entered carrying a phone.
“Boss, we received a call.”
“From?”
“Carlo DeLuca.”
The room changed.
Victor took the phone.
“Carlo.”
A man’s voice came through.
Older.
Rough.
“I’m sorry about your parents.”
Victor’s jaw tightened.
“Where are you?”
“Close.”
“You planted the bomb.”
“Yes.”
Victor closed his eyes.
Carlo continued.
“I never imagined Salvatore would use it against Antonio.”
“Convenient.”
“I deserve that.”
“Where are you?”
A pause.
“At the Romano estate.”
Victor’s eyes opened.
Our estate.
Mia.
Every drop of blood left my face.
Victor turned toward Marco.
“Get Mia.”
Marco was already calling.
No answer.
Victor’s voice sharpened.
“Call again.”
Nothing.
Then my phone buzzed.
A message from the mansion security system.
Motion detected.
Library.
A photograph loaded.
Mia stood beneath the desk.
And beside her was a tall gray-haired man.
Carlo.
He was holding out one hand.
May you like
Mia was not afraid.
She was smiling.
