Chapter 17 - THE FINAL FAMILY DINNER|
Nora agreed to meet Dominic, but not alone.
She insisted that Vincent, Lena, and Paulie attend. The meeting was arranged at a private restaurant in Manhattan, with police nearby.
Dominic arrived looking exhausted.
He sat across from Nora.
“I owe you the truth.”
“You owe me twenty years.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
“Did you take me from my mother?”
“Yes.”
Nora's expression hardened.
“Why?”
“Arthur had found you. He planned to use you to force Lena to surrender the documents. I took you to Grace because I believed she could keep you safe.”
“Then why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I was being watched.”
“You could have sent a letter.”
“I did.”
Nora looked at him.
“What?”
Dominic reached into his coat and placed a bundle of envelopes on the table.
They were all addressed to Nora.
None had been delivered.
“Your aunt returned them,” he said. “She believed I was dangerous.”
Nora looked toward Lena.
Lena nodded slowly.
“Grace told me Dominic had taken you to protect you. I didn't know whether to believe her.”
Vincent opened one of the letters.
Dominic had written about Nora's birthday, her first day of school, and the little things he had learned through people who watched over her.
The letters were awkward and full of regret.
Nora pushed them away.
“Why did you let Beatrice humiliate Camila?”
Dominic looked ashamed.
“I didn't know she would do that.”
“You knew she was dangerous.”
“Yes.”
“You knew she was involved in my mother's disappearance.”
“Yes.”
“Then why did you keep working with her?”
Dominic lowered his head.
“Because I wanted the trust back. I thought if I controlled the businesses, I could finally protect you.”
Vincent stood.
“You don't protect people by making deals with the people who hurt them.”
Dominic nodded.
“I know that now.”
He offered to hand over the remaining records and testify against Beatrice and Arthur.
But before anyone could answer, the restaurant lights went out.
A crash sounded near the kitchen.
Paulie drew his weapon.
“Down!”
A group of men entered through the rear entrance.
Vincent pushed Nora behind him.
Lena screamed.
The lights returned seconds later.
Dominic was gone.
So was the folder of letters.
A waiter lay unconscious near the doorway.
On the table, someone had left a small card.
It read:
Bring the original ledger to the old Russo warehouse. Midnight. No police.
Vincent stared at the card.
Nora looked at him.
“They want to finish this.”
May you like
He nodded.
“Then tonight, we finish it first.”
