Chapter 11 - The Price of a Child|
Luca kept his hands visible.
"Let him go."
Matteo tightened his grip on Theo's shoulder. The boy looked toward his father, trying to be brave.
"Dad?"
"I'm here, buddy."
"Can we go home?"
"Yes," Luca said. "We're going home."
Matteo laughed.
"You're making promises you can't keep."
Luca studied the room. Two men stood near the rear exit. A third waited behind a stack of crates. None of them appeared nervous. They had been told this meeting would end with Luca surrendering.
"What does Carlo want?" Luca asked.
"Control of the Moretti organization. The revised trust. Your signature on the merger."
"And Bianca?"
"She gets the family position she was promised."
"She was promised my wife and my child?"
Matteo's expression barely changed.
"She was promised influence. The rest is your interpretation."
Luca's voice dropped.
"You took my son."
"I borrowed him."
Theo began to cry.
Luca's fingers curled, but he kept his voice gentle.
"Theo, look at me. Remember the breathing game we play when you get scared?"
Theo nodded shakily.
"In through your nose. Slowly. That's it."
Matteo glanced down at the child, irritated by the interruption.
"Enough."
Luca looked at him.
"You've worked for my family for twenty years. My father trusted you. I trusted you."
"Trust is a weakness in men like us."
"No," Luca said. "It is the only reason anyone stays when they have the chance to leave."
Matteo's face darkened.
He pushed a folder across a crate.
"Sign the merger agreement. Then you can take the boy."
Luca glanced at the papers. The agreement would transfer operational control of several legitimate companies to a holding group controlled by Carlo. The trust amendment would give Matteo authority over Theo's inheritance until the boy turned twenty-five.
It was not a business deal.
It was a takeover disguised as one.
"I need to read it."
"You have five minutes."
Luca bent over the papers. Through the earpiece hidden beneath his collar, he heard Sophie's voice.
"Keep him talking. Enzo is in position."
Matteo tapped the page.
"Sign."
Luca picked up the pen.
Then he stopped.
"Where is Bianca?"
Matteo frowned.
"Why?"
"Because this agreement gives her authority over the family trust. If she's supposed to inherit influence, she should be here to witness it."
For the first time, Matteo hesitated.
Luca noticed.
"She's not coming, is she?"
"Sign the papers."
"Carlo doesn't trust you enough to let you finish the job alone."
Matteo struck the table with his palm.
"Sign it!"
Theo flinched.
Luca's expression hardened.
"Don't touch him."
Matteo pulled Theo closer.
"Then do as you're told."
The terminal doors slammed shut behind them.
A woman's voice rang out from the upper walkway.
"Put down the pen, Luca."
Bianca stepped into the light.
May you like
She was holding a pistol.
And she was pointing it at Matteo.
