Chapter 19 - THE LAST THREAT|
The arrests should have ended the danger.
Instead, they exposed how many people had benefited from the old arrangement.
Several members of the Russo organization wanted Vincent removed. They feared that his cooperation with investigators would destroy their businesses and expose their own crimes.
Paulie warned him that the remaining loyalists were meeting without him.
Vincent didn't panic.
He announced that the legitimate companies would be placed under independent management and that anyone involved in criminal activity would be cut off.
Some men accepted the decision.
Others did not.
One night, a vehicle followed Nora and Lena from the hospital. The security team lost it near the Queensboro Bridge.
Vincent immediately ordered them back to the estate.
Nora was furious.
“You can't keep locking me away.”
“Someone is targeting you.”
“Then help me protect myself. Don't treat me like a prisoner.”
He rubbed his forehead.
“I can't lose you.”
The words surprised them both.
Nora looked at him.
“I'm not your mother, Vincent.”
“I know.”
“And I'm not a child.”
“I know that too.”
“Then trust me.”
He took a breath.
“All right.”
They agreed that Nora would remain involved in the decisions concerning her safety. She also insisted that Camila be moved to a smaller, calmer residence outside the city once the estate was secure.
Vincent agreed.
But the next morning, Paulie brought news.
A former Russo soldier named Salvatore had been arrested after attempting to obtain Camila's medical schedule.
He had been paid by an unknown person.
The payment led to a woman who had worked as a nurse at the estate before Nora arrived.
The same nurse Vincent had fired after the ballroom incident.
She had been communicating with Beatrice.
Investigators discovered that the nurse had deliberately changed Camila's medication schedule on the night of the party. She had also provided access to the east wing.
The nurse agreed to testify.
But she had one condition.
She wanted protection from the person who had hired her.
Vincent asked for the name.
She whispered it.
“Carmine Gallow.”
Beatrice's husband.
The man who had negotiated peace while secretly helping his wife destroy the Russo family.
Vincent called the police and handed over the evidence.
Carmine was arrested at his Chicago residence.
Beatrice's remaining influence collapsed.
The last threat was finally over.
A week later, Vincent took Nora to the east wing.
Camila sat beside the window, looking at the garden.
Nora approached her.
“Would you like to dance?”
Camila smiled.
“Yes, sweetheart.”
Vincent watched them.
Then Camila looked at him.
“Vinny, come here.”
He sat beside her.
She took his hand.
“Don't let this family make you lonely.”
Vincent's eyes filled.
“I won't, Ma.”
She smiled.
“Good. Your father was terrible at dancing.”
May you like
Nora laughed.
And for the first time in years, Vincent heard his mother tell a story without fear.
