Chapter 8 - THE TRADE AT MIDNIGHT
Penelope read the note until the letters blurred.
One twin for the other.
Dominic watched her carefully.
"This is a trap."
"I know."
"Anthony wants you frightened enough to make a mistake."
Penelope lifted her chin.
"Then we won't make one."
For the first time that night, Dominic saw the restaurant manager he admired.
Calm under pressure.
Focused.
Determined.
"What do you want to do?" he asked.
Penelope looked at the photograph.
"Find out whether Vanessa is helping Anthony or being held by him."
Gabriel traced the photograph to an abandoned theater on the South Side.
The building had once belonged to the Vitiello family.
Its ownership had transferred through several shell companies before ending up under Anthony Russo's control.
Dominic recognized the address.
"My father used that place for private meetings."
Penelope turned toward him.
"Then you know the layout."
"Every entrance."
They contacted a trusted attorney and provided the photographs to federal investigators.
The authorities had already been examining Anthony's financial dealings.
Now they had evidence of a possible kidnapping.
At 11:47 p.m., Penelope received a video call.
Anthony appeared on the screen.
Behind him, Frank sat tied to a chair.
Vanessa stood nearby.
She looked terrified.
"Hello, sweetheart," Anthony said.
Penelope forced herself not to cry.
"Let my father go."
"Bring the medical trust documents."
"I don't have them."
"Dominic does."
Dominic stepped into view.
"You want the documents? You'll talk to me."
Anthony laughed.
"I've been waiting years for that conversation."
Vanessa suddenly moved closer to the camera.
"Penelope, don't—"
Anthony grabbed her arm.
"Be quiet."
Penelope's stomach twisted.
Vanessa wasn't his willing partner.
She was another prisoner.
"Why are you doing this?" Penelope demanded.
Anthony's smile vanished.
"Because your mother stole something that belonged to me."
"What?"
"The proof that I built half of the Vitiello empire."
Dominic laughed coldly.
"You built nothing. You stole from everyone who trusted you."
Anthony leaned closer.
"Then perhaps I should tell Penelope why you bought her father's building."
Penelope turned toward Dominic.
Anthony smiled.
"He wasn't saving the bakery out of kindness."
Dominic went silent.
Anthony continued.
"He was looking for something Isabella hid in the basement."
Penelope stared at Dominic.
"What did you find?"
He lowered his gaze.
"A safe."
"What was inside?"
Dominic hesitated.
Then answered.
"A letter addressed to you."
Penelope felt her heart stop.
"From my mother?"
May you like
Dominic nodded.
"And it says she left you something worth far more than the bakery."
