Chapter 4 - The Lie That Built an Empire
Vincent crossed the warehouse before anyone could stop him.
“You’re lying.”
Salvatore didn’t move.
“Am I?”
“My father died four years ago.”
“Convenient.”
Cassidy stepped between them.
“Enough.”
Vincent stared at her.
She looked at Salvatore.
“Tell me what happened.”
Salvatore smiled.
“Patrick discovered Carlo was moving money through ghost companies. Your father threatened to expose him.”
Vincent shook his head.
“No.”
Salvatore continued.
“Carlo ordered me to handle it.”
Cassidy’s jaw tightened.
“You killed him.”
“I refused.”
Vincent stared at his uncle.
Salvatore nodded.
“That’s why Carlo removed me from the business.”
Cassidy whispered,
“Then who killed my father?”
“Someone Carlo paid.”
Vincent turned away.
Cassidy watched him.
For the first time since meeting him, the arrogant mafia boss had nothing to say.
Salvatore reached inside his coat slowly.
Dominic immediately stepped forward.
Salvatore stopped.
“Relax.”
He removed a flash drive.
“Patrick collected everything.”
Cassidy stared at it.
“Where did you get that?”
“He gave it to me.”
“Why didn’t you expose Carlo?”
“Because Carlo had my wife.”
Silence.
Salvatore’s expression tightened.
“He threatened everyone we loved.”
Cassidy took the drive.
“You waited fifteen years.”
“I waited until Carlo was dead.”
Vincent looked at him.
“He’s been dead four.”
“And his partners weren’t.”
Dominic asked,
“Who?”
Salvatore looked toward Vincent.
“Your board.”
Vincent’s face hardened.
Kelletti Maritime had five senior directors.
Men Vincent trusted.
Salvatore continued.
“They’re stealing from you using the same network Carlo built.”
Vincent suddenly understood.
“The missing containers.”
“Yes.”
Cassidy looked at the flash drive.
“And they know we found this?”
Salvatore nodded.
“They know about Cassidy.”
Vincent immediately pulled out his phone.
“Dominic, take her somewhere secure.”
Cassidy laughed once.
“No.”
Vincent turned.
“This isn’t negotiable.”
“Stop ordering me around.”
“People are coming for you.”
“Then maybe we should stop waiting for them.”
Vincent stared.
Cassidy held up the drive.
“My father died collecting this evidence. I’m not hiding while somebody else decides what happens to it.”
Dominic looked at Vincent.
“She’s right.”
Vincent rubbed his jaw.
“Why does everyone suddenly enjoy disagreeing with me?”
Cassidy smiled.
“Maybe leadership isn’t your thing.”
Despite everything, Dominic laughed.
Vincent looked at Cassidy.
“You really enjoy irritating me.”
“More than I expected.”
For a second, something changed between them.
Then Vincent’s phone rang.
He answered.
His expression darkened.
“What?”
Cassidy watched him.
Vincent ended the call.
“What happened?” she asked.
He looked at Dominic.
“Someone burned the Brass Lantern office.”
Cassidy’s smile disappeared.
“My apartment?”
Dominic immediately called someone.
After several seconds he shook his head.
“Two men were seen outside.”
Vincent looked at Cassidy.
“You’re staying with me.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“You don’t own me.”
Vincent stepped closer.
“No. But somebody just threatened your home because you walked into my war.”
Cassidy held his stare.
Then nodded.
“One night.”
Vincent almost smiled.
“We’ll negotiate.”
“There’s nothing to negotiate.”
“Cassidy?”
“What?”
“You’re arguing with a man who owns twelve bedrooms.”
“And somehow I still feel sorry for the house.”
Dominic turned away to hide another laugh.
Vincent pointed toward the car.
“Get in.”
Cassidy walked past him.
“Try saying please sometime.”
Vincent watched her go.
Salvatore stepped beside his nephew.
“She’s exactly like Patrick.”
Vincent kept watching Cassidy.
“No.”
May you like
A faint smile appeared.
“She’s worse.”
