“If You Want Her, Fine—Just Let Me Take Our Son,” His Wife Said—The Mafia Boss Went Silent

The investigation widened over the next two weeks.

Detective Brooks recovered the original trust documents from Matteo's bank vault. The records confirmed that Carlo had attempted to redirect Theo's inheritance through a chain of shell companies. They also linked several associates to the kidnapping and to the financial scheme that had begun before Adrian's death.

Marcus cooperated fully.

His decision shocked the organization. Some men called it betrayal. Others called it cowardice. A few quietly admitted that they had known about Carlo's operations and had been too afraid to challenge him.

Luca made his own choice.

He began dismantling the parts of the Moretti organization that depended on intimidation, illegal payments, and secret arrangements. He retained legitimate businesses, replaced compromised advisers, and turned over records that could implicate people who had once called him a friend.

The decision cost him money and influence.

It also made him enemies.

One evening, Enzo arrived at the apartment where Sophie and Theo were staying.

"We found someone who hasn't been accounted for," he told Luca. "Carlo's financial director. He disappeared before the arrests."

"Name?"

"Daniel Rusk. He handled the trust transfers and arranged several of the payments to the security contractors."

Luca's expression hardened.

"Where is he?"

"We don't know. But he sent a message to one of our former employees."

Enzo placed a printed note on the table.

THE LEDGER IS ONLY HALF THE STORY. ASK MARCUS WHO SIGNED ADRIAN'S LAST CONTRACT.

Luca stared at the message.

He took it to Marcus, who was now cooperating with investigators from a private medical room under guard.

When Marcus read the note, he became visibly distressed.

"What contract?" Luca demanded.

Marcus shook his head.

"Adrian was planning to leave the organization. He had accepted a position with a security consultancy. Before he could go, he signed a contract transferring his remaining shares to a trust."

"Who prepared it?"

"Daniel Rusk."

"Did you approve it?"

"I witnessed the signature."

Luca felt anger rise again.

"Why didn't you tell the investigators?"

"Because the contract was legitimate. I thought it was irrelevant."

"Then why is Rusk using it to threaten us?"

Marcus looked at the note again.

"Because the contract contained a second document. A sealed statement Adrian wrote before his death."

"Where is it?"

"I don't know. Rusk may have kept it."

Luca called Detective Brooks.

Within an hour, they learned that Rusk had contacted a journalist and offered to release documents that could destroy the Moretti family. The journalist had agreed to meet him at a hotel near Central Park.

Luca wanted to go immediately.

Sophie, who had arrived to discuss Theo's legal arrangements, read the note and shook her head.

"He's setting a trap."

"Maybe."

"Not maybe. He knows you're desperate to learn what happened to Adrian. He wants you to react before the police can secure the evidence."

Luca looked at her.

"You're right."

She was surprised he admitted it so quickly.

They coordinated with Detective Brooks, who arranged surveillance and a controlled meeting. Luca would not approach Rusk alone. Sophie would remain at the apartment with Theo, and Enzo would stay with her.

But just before the operation began, a message arrived from an unknown number.

It contained a photograph of Theo playing in the garden.