Chapter 9 - Shadows in the Mirror|
That evening, a quiet dinner was held in the grand dining room of the Costa estate.
The heavy, oppressive atmosphere that had hung over the mansion for years was gone. The grand hall was filled with soft candlelight, warm food, and the low, comforting melody of John Coltrane playing from the study speakers.
Vincent and Tessa sat together at the long mahogany table, laughing as they shared stories about their childhoods.
Suddenly, Dr. Matteo stepped into the dining room, his face unusually pale. He held a silver tray with an unopened, wax-sealed black envelope.
Vincent set his glass down, his expression hardening instantly. "What is it, Matteo?"
"A courier dropped this at the front gate, Boss," Matteo reported softly. "He said it was delivered from Chicago."
Vincent broke the black wax seal and pulled out a sheet of heavy parchment paper.
Written in dark red ink were four simple lines:
“Vincent,
You killed the Romanos, but you forgot who supplied their weapons.
The Costa family owes a debt that cannot be paid in concrete.
We know about the maid.
See you soon.”
Vincent stared at the letter, his eyes darkening into cold, dangerous steel.
Tessa looked at his pale face, concern mounting in her chest. "Vincent? What is it?"
Vincent slowly folded the letter and set it on the table. He looked across at Tessa—the woman who had saved his life, the woman who had given him a reason to fight for a better future.
He took her hand, holding it tightly in his own.
"It's nothing," Vincent said softly, a dark, fierce smile touching his lips. "Just an old debt coming due."
He turned to Matteo, his voice dropping into the cold, authoritative tone of a king ready for war.
May you like
"Call the capos," Vincent ordered. "Lock the gates."
Outside the high estate windows, the night wind howled across the city, promising a new, dangerous storm on the horizon—and Vincent Costa was more than ready to face it.
