Chapter 5 - The Cop Who Sold a Mafia Boss
Rourke entered behind Vale.
His badge was still clipped to his belt.
Sofia stared at it.
“You're really a bad cop.”
Rourke looked irritated.
“Quiet.”
Luciano almost smiled.
“She has that effect on people.”
Vale pointed toward Daniel.
“Phone.”
Daniel placed it on the floor.
Vale looked at Luciano.
“You should've died in that yard.”
“You've always been bad at finishing things.”
“I had everything arranged.”
“The crash?”
“Yes.”
“The officers?”
“Yes.”
“The search?”
Vale smiled.
“Rourke.”
Sofia whispered, “Why?”
Vale looked at her.
“Because men like Luciano eventually become weak.”
Luciano's gaze hardened.
Vale continued.
“He started talking about legitimate businesses. Political influence. Foundations.”
He laughed.
“A mafia boss becoming respectable.”
Luciano said, “Respectability isn't weakness.”
“It is where we come from.”
Sofia looked at Luciano.
“Is that true?”
Vale frowned.
“What?”
“You were trying to stop?”
Luciano didn't look away from Vale.
“Not completely.”
“Why?”
His eyes briefly moved toward her.
“Because eventually someone has to.”
Vale rolled his eyes.
“Touching.”
Rourke said, “We need to move.”
Vale nodded.
“Take the girl.”
Luciano's entire posture changed.
“No.”
Vale smiled.
“There he is.”
Rourke moved toward Sofia.
Elena stepped in front of her.
“You touch my granddaughter and you'll regret being born.”
Rourke laughed.
Then Sofia noticed Daniel looking toward the ceiling.
A tiny red light blinked above the doorway.
Camera.
Daniel saw Sofia notice it.
He gave the smallest shake of his head.
Don't react.
Sofia understood.
She looked at Vale.
“You wanted his watch?”
Vale frowned.
“What?”
“You took it.”
Vale looked down.
Sofia continued.
“Grandma says people who steal things usually want everyone to know they have them.”
Vale laughed.
“You think I'm a thief?”
“Yes.”
Luciano almost smiled.
Vale stepped toward her.
Luciano immediately blocked him.
“Stay away.”
Sofia continued talking.
“Did you steal his business too?”
Vale's face tightened.
“I built half of it.”
“But you're not the boss.”
“Sofia,” Elena warned.
Sofia ignored her.
“That's why you're mad.”
Vale stepped forward.
“I should've been.”
Luciano watched him carefully.
“Keep talking, Patrick.”
Vale suddenly realized.
His eyes moved toward the camera.
Rourke swore.
Daniel smiled.
“Everything you've said has been transmitted to three separate locations.”
Vale's face drained.
“You're bluffing.”
Luciano shook his head.
“You invaded my home.”
Sirens sounded outside.
Real sirens.
Rourke stared at Luciano.
“What did you do?”
“Nothing.”
Daniel answered instead.
“The federal task force we've been cooperating with did.”
Sofia's eyes widened.
Luciano glanced at her.
“Complicated story.”
Vale looked betrayed.
“You've been talking to federal agents?”
“For months.”
“You're destroying the family.”
“No.”
Luciano stepped closer.
“I'm changing it.”
Rourke reached for Sofia.
He never made it.
Daniel moved between them as federal agents poured through the entrance.
“Hands!”
Rourke froze.
Vale looked at Luciano.
“You think this ends with me?”
Luciano's expression remained calm.
“No.”
He looked toward Sofia.
“But it starts with you.”
Vale and Rourke were taken away.
The house became quiet.
Sofia walked toward Luciano.
“You knew they were coming?”
“I hoped.”
“You used us as bait?”
Luciano's expression changed.
“No.”
Sofia stared at him.
Elena did too.
Luciano crouched.
“I knew someone inside my security team was compromised. I didn't know Vale would come personally.”
“You promised we'd be safe.”
“I know.”
“You were wrong.”
“Yes.”
Sofia looked disappointed.
That hurt Luciano more than Vale's betrayal.
Then she asked, “What happens now?”
Luciano looked at the broken doorway.
May you like
“Now I keep the promise properly.”
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