Chapter 4 - The Man Who Rigged the Game
Frankie found the proof inside her own garage.
It was hidden behind an invoice from a parts supplier.
A bank transfer.
$25,000.
Paid to Leo Bellini three weeks before the poker game.
Sender: A.R. Consulting.
Frankie carried the statement into the office.
“Leo.”
Her brother looked up.
His face went white.
“What is this?”
He said nothing.
“WHAT IS THIS?”
Leo closed his eyes.
“Anthony paid me.”
Frankie stopped breathing.
“For what?”
“To convince you to sell.”
The words hit harder than anything Russo could have done.
“You knew?”
“No. Not everything.”
“Stop saying that!”
Leo stood.
“He told me a developer wanted the land. You’d refused every offer. He said if I could convince you—”
“So you gambled?”
“It wasn't supposed to reach three hundred thousand.”
Frankie stared at her brother.
“You helped them.”
“I thought I could pay it back.”
“You always think you can pay it back!”
A voice came from the doorway.
“That explains the credit.”
Gabriel.
Leo froze.
Gabriel entered with Marco.
Frankie turned.
“You followed me again?”
“No. Your brother called me.”
She looked at Leo.
“Why?”
Leo swallowed.
“Because Russo called me this morning.”
Gabriel placed a phone on the desk.
A recording began.
Russo’s voice filled the office.
“You keep your mouth shut. The girl signs by Friday. Costa gets the land, everybody wins.”
Then Leo:
“And if Frankie doesn’t sign?”
Russo laughed.
“She will.”
The recording ended.
Gabriel picked up the phone.
Frankie stared at him.
“You wanted the property.”
“Yes.”
“Did you know Russo was doing this?”
“No.”
“Can you prove that?”
Gabriel held her gaze.
“No.”
Frankie appreciated the answer.
No excuses.
No demand for trust.
Just truth.
Gabriel turned toward Leo.
“You accepted twenty-five thousand dollars.”
Leo nodded.
“You gambled in a room controlled by Russo.”
“Yes.”
“You accepted unauthorized credit.”
“Yes.”
Gabriel stepped closer.
“And then you allowed your sister to walk into my office believing she had to sacrifice her future for your mistakes.”
Leo looked down.
“Yes.”
Frankie spoke quietly.
“Get out.”
Leo looked at her.
“Frankie—”
“Get out of my garage.”
He left.
Gabriel remained.
Frankie stared at the floor.
“Don’t.”
“I haven’t said anything.”
“Good.”
Several seconds passed.
Then Gabriel placed the original debt contract on the workbench.
He tore it in half.
Frankie looked up.
“What are you doing?”
“The debt was obtained fraudulently.”
“Leo still lost money.”
“Fifty thousand legitimately.”
“I’ll repay that.”
Gabriel studied her.
“You don’t have fifty thousand.”
“I’ll earn it.”
“I could cancel it.”
“No.”
His eyebrow lifted.
“I don’t want charity from you.”
Gabriel smiled slightly.
“There she is.”
Frankie pointed toward the door.
“Don’t make me curse you again.”
His smile grew.
May you like
“Promises, promises.”
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