Chapter 8 - Everything He Thought He OwnedAnthony Russo had survived because Salvatore Greco arranged it.
That was technically true.
It was also only half the truth.
After Matteo frightened Anthony into cardiac arrest, a paramedic revived him.
Salvatore learned what happened and quietly moved Anthony to a private facility under an assumed name.
Then he kept him isolated.
Not chained.
Not beaten.
Simply controlled through fear.
He told Anthony that Elena would die if anyone learned he was alive.
For two years, Anthony believed him.
When Elena finally saw her father, anger disappeared beneath overwhelming relief.
She held him and sobbed.
"I thought you were dead."
"I'm sorry."
"Why didn't you call me?"
"I thought I was protecting you."
She pulled back.
"Everyone keeps saying that right before admitting they lied to me."
Anthony looked ashamed.
Salvatore sat opposite them.
"Touching reunion. Now let's discuss property."
He produced documents.
Original contracts.
Trust records.
Deeds.
Elena read them.
Her grandfather had indeed provided capital for several Moretti businesses.
But there was a complication.
The assets didn't automatically belong to Elena.
They were held in a dormant trust.
To activate ownership, Anthony or his heir had to formally challenge control.
Salvatore wanted Elena to do exactly that.
"Why?" she asked.
"Because Luca loses legitimacy."
"And you gain it?"
"I gain opportunity."
"No."
Salvatore's smile disappeared.
"Think carefully."
"I did."
"Your father spent two years hidden because of these documents."
"Because of you."
"I saved him."
"You imprisoned him politely."
Anthony whispered, "Elena."
She took his hand.
Salvatore sighed.
"You have Luca's stubbornness."
"Don't compare me to him."
"Interesting."
He studied her.
"Because Luca is outside."
Everyone froze.
A car door slammed.
Salvatore looked toward the window.
Luca stood at the end of the driveway.
Alone.
Again.
Elena's heart reacted before her mind could.
Salvatore laughed.
"He really does have a weakness for you."
Luca entered after surrendering his weapon.
He saw Anthony first.
Then Elena.
"You're okay."
She nodded.
"You?"
"Annoyed."
Salvatore gestured toward the documents.
"Do you recognize these?"
Luca skimmed them.
"Yes."
Elena stared.
"You knew?"
"Not until yesterday."
Salvatore laughed.
"How convenient."
Luca ignored him.
"My attorney verified most of it this morning."
"And?"
Luca looked at Elena.
"And if the trust belongs to you, it's yours."
Salvatore stopped smiling.
Elena blinked.
"What?"
"The companies. The estate. Whatever the documents legally entitle you to."
"You'd just give them up?"
"They were never mine to give."
Salvatore snapped, "Don't perform nobility now."
Luca turned.
"I'm not talking to you."
Then back to Elena.
"I spent my life enforcing loyalty while benefiting from something my grandfather may have stolen. I can't change that."
He put the documents down.
"But I won't repeat it."
Elena stared at him.
Something inside her shifted.
Salvatore had expected war.
Luca refused to provide one.
And without conflict, Salvatore's leverage disappeared.
"You're bluffing," he said.
"No."
"You'll surrender hundreds of millions?"
"If that's what the court says."
"Why?"
Luca looked at Elena.
"Because I'm tired of becoming the kind of man who needs to own everything."
Elena's breath caught.
Salvatore understood.
And hated it.
He reached for the gun hidden beneath the table.
Anthony shouted.
Elena ducked.
Luca moved.
The struggle lasted seconds.
Anthony knocked a lamp into Salvatore's arm.
Elena kicked the gun away.
Luca pinned him against the floor.
His hands closed around Salvatore's throat.
Salvatore laughed.
"There he is."
Luca froze.
"You kill me and she finally sees what you are."
Luca's face twisted.
Elena whispered, "Luca."
His hands loosened.
He stood.
Police entered moments later.
Rebecca had arranged everything.
Salvatore was arrested for kidnapping, unlawful confinement, extortion, and conspiracy.
Later, outside the facility, Elena found Luca beside his car.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"My father."
"I didn't find him."
"You came."
"Always."
The word slipped out.
Neither pretended otherwise.
Elena stepped closer.
"You really would surrender everything?"
"Yes."
"The house?"
"Yes."
"Your companies?"
"If they're yours."
She looked toward him.
"And what would you do?"
Luca considered it.
"Sleep."
She laughed.
"After that?"
"Open a restaurant."
"You can't cook."
"I'd hire people."
"That's just another business."
"I'm learning slowly."
She smiled.
Then Luca grew serious.
"Elena, there's something I need to tell you."
"What?"
"I care about you."
She stopped breathing.
"A lot."
"Luca—"
"You don't owe me anything. Not because I protected you. Not because I got shot. Not because—"
Elena kissed him.
He went completely still.
For perhaps the first time in his life, Luca Moretti had no plan.
When she pulled away, his eyes remained closed.
"That was extremely irresponsible."
"Probably."
"Do it again."
She did.
And for several seconds, there were no criminal empires.
No ledgers.
No violence.
Just Luca and Elena beneath a gray Illinois sky.
May you like
Then Rebecca called.
Matteo Moretti had escaped custody.
