Chapter 14 - THE NIGHT GABRIEL WALKED AWAY
Walking away from the Rossi empire was not simple.
There were lawyers.
Investigations.
Frozen assets.
Men who suddenly stopped answering Gabriel’s calls.
Others who became very interested in cooperating with prosecutors.
The newspapers went insane.
ROSSI HEIR BREAKS WITH FAMILY LEGACY.
DON SALVATORE TO TESTIFY.
ILVENTO OWNERSHIP FRAUD EXPOSED.
My picture appeared beside Gabriel’s on television.
One headline called me The Waitress Who Brought Down a Dynasty.
I hated it.
“I carried water,” I told Gabriel.
“You also insulted my father.”
“That part I’m proud of.”
He laughed.
It was becoming easier for him.
Laughing.
Sleeping.
Living without checking every room for an enemy.
Vittorio remained in custody awaiting trial on charges tied to fraud, conspiracy, attempted murder, kidnapping, and other crimes.
Richard took a plea agreement.
Luca entered therapy and started rebuilding his life away from his father and uncle.
Angelo moved into an apartment three blocks from my mother’s rehabilitation center because, according to him, “New York tomatoes still need supervision.”
Salvatore’s future was less certain.
He had done terrible things.
He had also finally chosen to tell the truth.
Consequences and redemption were not the same thing.
He was learning that.
So was I.
As for Ilvento, I had a choice.
Sell my mother’s ownership.
Take the money.
Disappear.
Instead, I walked into the restaurant three months after Vittorio’s arrest.
The staff went silent.
My former coworkers stared.
Debbie from payroll whispered, “Tessa?”
Richard’s replacement rushed toward me.
“Ms. Taylor.”
I nearly laughed.
Nobody had ever called me that with respect before.
I gathered the staff.
“No one is being fired because of what happened.”
Several shoulders relaxed.
“But things are changing.”
Hourly pay increased.
Health insurance improved.
Mandatory tip pooling schemes ended.
Employees received written protections against abusive customers.
And nobody would ever again be told to accept humiliation because a guest was powerful.
Gabriel stood near his old Thursday booth.
When everyone left, he raised one eyebrow.
“You’re terrifying.”
“I learned from your father.”
“Please never say that again.”
He approached.
“Do you regret keeping the restaurant?”
I looked around.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I spent years believing this room belonged to people richer and more important than me.”
“And now?”
I smiled.
“Now I know better.”
He kissed me gently.
Then Salvatore’s voice came from behind us.
“Disgusting.”
We turned.
He stood in the doorway beside Angelo.
“What are you doing here?” Gabriel asked.
“Eating.”
“You’re supposed to be under supervision.”
“My lawyer is with the car.”
Angelo rolled his eyes.
“He complained until they let him come.”
Salvatore handed me an old cookbook.
Inside the cover was a note written by Angelo decades earlier.
For the person stubborn enough to keep this family honest.
I looked up.
Angelo pointed at Gabriel.
“That means you.”
Salvatore disagreed.
“No. It clearly means her.”
I laughed.
Then something fell from between the cookbook’s pages.
A small velvet ring box.
Gabriel stared at it.
I stared at him.
Salvatore looked annoyed.
“That was not supposed to fall out yet.”
Gabriel closed his eyes.
“Father.”
“What?”
“You ruined it.”
May you like
Salvatore shrugged.
“You were taking too long.”
