Chapter 8 - The Abandoned Mill
Rain pounded against the rusted corrugated roof of the old Moretti textile mill on the edge of the Hudson River. Lightning cracked across the stormy sky, briefly illuminating the decaying machinery and rotting timber of the vast industrial graveyard.
Marco Moretti stood before an open floor safe hidden beneath a rusted iron press, feverishly shoving thick leather ledgers and stacks of bearer bonds into a duffel bag. Two nervous bodyguards kept their rifles trained on the dark shadows of the warehouse floor.
""Hurry up, boss,"" one of the men whispered, wiping rain from his face. ""If Alessandro’s sweep teams track our burner phones—""
""Shut up!"" Marco hissed, his hands trembling. ""Once we cross into Valenti territory, Alessandro can't touch us without starting a full-scale war! I have the records. I have enough dirt on the council to bring down the whole goddamn—""
A shadow detached itself from the rafters.
Before the bodyguard could raise his weapon, a silenced shot whistled through the damp air. The guard dropped instantly to the concrete. The second bodyguard panicked, raising his rifle, but Alessandro stepped out from behind a rusted pillar, firing two clean shots that neutralized the threat before the man could pull the trigger.
Marco fell backward against the safe, staring into the darkness in utter terror. ""Alessandro! Wait! Listen to me!""
From behind Alessandro, Eleanor stepped forward into the pale beam of a flashlight. She wore a dark trench coat, her wounded arm bandaged tight, her eyes burning through the shadows. The silver weeping willow locket swung openly against her chest.
Marco let out a strangled gasp, crawling backward like a cornered animal. ""Chiara... no... you’re dead! I saw the house burn!""
""My mother is dead, Marco,"" Eleanor said, her voice steady and chillingly calm. ""Because you were too weak to earn your own legacy. You burned a mother and tried to murder an infant over money that was never yours.""
Alessandro stepped forward, pressing the cold barrel of his Beretta directly against Marco’s sweaty forehead. ""Give me one reason not to pull this trigger right here, uncle.""
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""Wait! Alessandro, please!"" Marco sobbed, tears and sweat soaking his collar. ""I have the proof! In the ledger! It shows how the council betrayed your father too! I can give you everything! Just let me leave the country!""
Alessandro looked sideways at Eleanor. For the first time in his life, the ruthless Don of the Moretti family deferred an execution. ""What do you want to do with him, Sophia?""
