Chapter 5 - THE HUSBAND SHE COULD STILL DESTROY
Matteo expected Norah to smile.
She didn’t.
That unsettled him more than revenge would have.
“You could have sent this yourself.”
“Yes.”
“You could bury me.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you?”
Norah walked into the cottage kitchen.
“Because our baby deserves a father who has a chance to become better.”
Matteo stopped.
Not deserves you.
A chance.
He understood the difference.
Norah placed documents on the table.
Bank transfers.
Shell companies.
Photographs of Harper meeting Marco’s intermediaries.
Enough to prove someone had been manufacturing evidence against Matteo.
“Why help me?”
“I’m not helping you keep the empire.”
“What are you doing?”
“Giving you a choice.”
She slid a second folder forward.
Inside was a list of legitimate Rossi businesses.
Construction.
Shipping.
Restaurants.
Real estate.
Then another list.
Gambling rooms.
Protection crews.
Contraband routes.
Dirty judges.
“If you want this evidence, you shut down the second list.”
Matteo stared.
“You’re blackmailing me.”
“No.”
Her voice was quiet.
“I’m divorcing the man you were and offering the father of my child one opportunity.”
“You think I can dismantle decades of business in forty-eight hours?”
“I think you can start.”
“You have no idea what happens if I cut those men loose.”
“I know exactly what happens if you don’t.”
She put his burner phone between them.
A photograph filled the screen.
Matteo outside a warehouse.
Timestamped.
Below it, a draft federal indictment.
Conspiracy.
Racketeering.
Murder.
Asset seizure.
Norah said:
“Marco doesn’t only want you in prison.”
“What does he want?”
“He wants you desperate enough to run.”
“Why?”
“So he can step back into the vacuum.”
Matteo understood.
Marco had spent twelve years invisible.
He wanted the Rossi empire returned to him without fighting Matteo directly.
Norah had accidentally disturbed the plan by moving the contingency money.
“How did you know about the accounts?”
“My father.”
“Thomas?”
“He taught me how men like you hide emergency money.”
Matteo almost smiled.
“You’ve been studying me.”
“No.”
Her eyes met his.
“I’ve been preparing to survive you.”
The smile died.
Then a car approached outside.
Norah went rigid.
“That’s too soon.”
Matteo moved toward the window.
Black SUV.
No plates.
Three men.
He recognized one.
Marco’s former enforcer.
A man officially dead for nine years.
Matteo reached beneath his coat.
Norah grabbed his wrist.
“No gun.”
“They’re here for you.”
“They’re here for the drive.”
“They won’t leave witnesses.”
Norah’s face stayed calm.
“I have a second copy.”
“Where?”
She looked at him.
“With Arthur.”
Matteo froze.
“Arthur?”
“He helped me leave.”
For one second, anger returned.
Then Norah added:
May you like
“Because Arthur has been working against Marco for twelve years.”
Before Matteo could answer, the cottage window shattered.
