Chapter 5 - The Trap at St. Jude’s
Leo immediately ordered security around Owen’s floor.
Clara followed him into the corridor.
“You’re leaving.”
“Yes.”
“To kill him?”
Leo stopped.
“No.”
She searched his face.
“Is that true?”
“I’m going to end this.”
“That sounds suspiciously vague.”
Despite everything, Leo smiled.
“You argue professionally?”
“Waitress.”
“Similar skill set.”
Marco approached.
“Car’s ready.”
Clara grabbed Leo’s sleeve.
He looked down at her hand.
“Don’t become the reason I regret saving you.”
Leo’s expression softened.
“I won’t.”
He left.
But Vincent Moretti had anticipated him.
The information about Moretti’s location was false.
The real target was St. Jude’s.
Twenty minutes later, the fire alarm sounded.
Clara stepped into the corridor.
Nurses began moving patients.
Then she saw a man approaching Owen’s room.
He wore hospital scrubs.
But his shoes were wrong.
Expensive black leather.
And he wasn’t wearing an ID badge.
Clara blocked the doorway.
“Can I help you?”
“Evacuation.”
“Owen’s doctor said to wait.”
“Orders changed.”
“Show me your badge.”
The man stopped.
Clara’s heart pounded.
“Move.”
“No.”
He reached toward her.
A security guard rounded the corner.
“Sir?”
The stranger ran.
Chaos erupted.
Clara slammed Owen’s door and locked it.
“Clara?”
“Stay behind the bed.”
“What’s happening?”
“Just trust me.”
Outside, hospital security intercepted the intruder near the stairwell.
Minutes later, Leo came charging down the corridor.
He saw Clara.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
“Owen?”
“Fine.”
Leo closed his eyes for half a second.
Then anger replaced relief.
Marco approached.
“The man confessed.”
“To what?”
“Moretti sent him.”
Leo’s voice became dangerously quiet.
“Where is Vincent?”
“We have him.”
Clara grabbed Leo’s arm again.
“Leo.”
He turned.
“Don’t.”
“He came after you.”
“And if you become exactly what he expects, what did you win?”
“This isn’t your world.”
“No.”
Clara stepped closer.
“But apparently my blood is circulating through it.”
Marco looked away.
Leo almost laughed.
She continued.
“Give him to the police.”
“Clara—”
“You have evidence.”
Marco slowly nodded.
“Enough.”
Leo looked at him.
Marco continued.
“The trattoria attack. Financial records. Witnesses. Tonight’s hospital attempt.”
Leo remained silent.
For years, Vincent Moretti’s world had operated on retaliation.
Someone attacked.
Someone answered.
Someone else answered louder.
Clara had entered that world for less than an hour and asked the simplest question.
Why continue?
Finally Leo looked at Marco.
“Make the call.”
Marco blinked.
“The police?”
“Yes.”
Clara released Leo’s sleeve.
Hours later, Vincent Moretti was arrested.
His organization began collapsing almost immediately.
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And for the first time since the ambush, Leo Salvatore slept without planning revenge.
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