Chapter 6 - Marco’s Last Move
Dante moved the Russo family to a secured house outside Chicago.
Marco disappeared.
That frightened everyone more than if he had attacked.
For thirty-six hours, nothing happened.
Then Tony called Elena.
“You need to come to the garage.”
She frowned.
“Why?”
“Someone left something.”
“What?”
“Your brother’s toolbox.”
Elena stopped breathing.
“Gabriel’s?”
“It has his name carved into the lid.”
She looked at Dante.
He was already watching her.
“No,” he said.
“I didn’t ask anything.”
“You’re thinking it.”
“That toolbox disappeared after Gabriel died.”
Dante took the phone.
“Tony. Don’t touch it.”
A pause.
“Get everyone out.”
He hung up.
Elena’s face had gone pale.
“What does Marco want?”
Dante’s jaw tightened.
“You.”
They went to the garage with security.
The building was empty.
Gabriel’s metal toolbox sat on the center workbench.
Beside it was a phone.
It rang.
Dante answered on speaker.
Marco’s voice filled the garage.
“Elena.”
She stepped closer.
“I’m here.”
“You always loved your brother more than your father.”
“What do you want?”
“The truth.”
Dante looked at her.
Marco continued.
“Ask your father why Gabriel’s accident was never properly investigated.”
Elena froze.
“What?”
“You thought I only started negotiating with Russo after Gabriel died?”
Her voice became weak.
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying your brother knew too much.”
Dante’s face changed.
“Bellini.”
Marco laughed softly.
“Moretti. Still playing rescuer?”
“Where are you?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”
Elena grabbed the phone.
“What did Gabriel know?”
“That your father and mine were moving money through transportation companies. Gabriel found records. He threatened to report it.”
Her stomach twisted.
“No.”
“He drove away angry that night.”
Elena whispered, “And crashed.”
Marco was silent.
Dante’s eyes became lethal.
Elena understood.
“You caused it.”
“I solved a problem.”
Her hand began shaking.
Dante took the phone before she dropped it.
“You just confessed to murder.”
Marco laughed.
“To a criminal?”
“To a recorded line.”
Silence.
Then Marco’s voice changed.
“You’re lying.”
Luca stepped from the office holding a laptop.
“Nope.”
Marco hung up.
Elena stared at Dante.
“You knew?”
“No.”
“My father?”
“I don’t know.”
They returned to the secured house.
Anthony Russo took one look at Elena’s face.
“What happened?”
“Gabriel.”
Anthony stopped.
Elena stepped toward him.
“Tell me.”
Her father said nothing.
“Did Gabriel discover financial records?”
Anthony went pale.
Dante watched carefully.
“Anthony.”
Her father sat.
“Yes.”
Elena felt the room tilt.
“You knew?”
“I knew he found records.”
“Did you know Marco killed him?”
“No.”
“Did you suspect?”
Anthony’s silence was enough.
Elena backed away.
Her mother whispered, “Anthony?”
“I couldn’t prove it.”
“You didn’t try!”
“I was afraid.”
Elena laughed bitterly.
“You were afraid?”
Anthony stood.
“Bellini’s father had people everywhere.”
“So you buried Gabriel with your suspicions?”
Tears filled Anthony’s eyes.
“Yes.”
Elena had never seen her father cry.
It did not make the truth easier.
“I’m sorry.”
She shook her head.
“Sorry isn’t enough.”
“No.”
Anthony’s voice broke.
“It isn’t.”
Dante’s phone buzzed.
Luca checked the message.
“We have him.”
Everyone turned.
“Bellini’s car just entered an industrial warehouse district near Calumet.”
Dante reached for his coat.
Elena said, “I’m coming.”
“No.”
“He killed Gabriel.”
“That’s exactly why you’re not coming.”
“Dante.”
“No.”
Elena stepped directly in front of him.
“I spent seven months hiding because men kept deciding what I was allowed to do.”
Dante stared at her.
She continued.
“Do not become one of them.”
Silence.
Luca looked away, wisely.
Dante exhaled.
“You stay behind me.”
“I can live with that.”
Marco’s warehouse was nearly empty when they arrived.
Police and federal agents were already moving into position after Luca forwarded the financial evidence and recorded confession.
Marco stood beside a black sedan.
When he saw Elena, he laughed.
“You brought police?”
Elena stepped forward.
“You brought this on yourself.”
Marco looked at Dante.
“She’s ruined you.”
Dante said, “Interesting theory.”
“You used to be feared.”
“I still am.”
“You’re risking everything for a runaway bride.”
Dante glanced at Elena.
“She hasn’t been a bride for one day of her life.”
Marco’s face hardened.
“Elena, this is your last chance.”
She stared at him.
“No.”
“You’re choosing him?”
“No.”
That surprised everyone.
Elena continued.
“I’m choosing myself.”
Marco’s jaw clenched.
Then he suddenly moved toward the car.
Agents rushed forward.
Within seconds, he was surrounded.
Marco shouted as they pulled his hands behind his back.
“Elena!”
She did not move.
“You think Moretti is different?”
Dante’s eyes flicked toward her.
Marco continued.
“He’ll own you too!”
Elena answered calmly.
“No.”
She looked at Dante.
“He knows better.”
Dante’s mouth curved slightly.
Marco was taken away.
Elena stood in silence as the vehicles disappeared.
Dante approached.
“You okay?”
“No.”
He nodded.
“Fair.”
“My brother deserved justice.”
“He’s getting it.”
“My father knew.”
“I know.”
She looked up.
“And you?”
“What about me?”
“You kissed an employee you thought was a man.”
Dante stared at her.
After several seconds, he said, “Of all the things that happened tonight, that is what you want to discuss?”
A tiny smile appeared on her face.
“I’ve been waiting seven months to stop pretending.”
Dante stepped closer.
May you like
“So have I.”
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