Chapter 12 - The Final Showdown
Two weeks after the safehouse delivery, while mother and baby daughter rested securely in a newly established, impenetrable family estate in Westchester County, the final remnants of Carmine Vitale’s fractured organization made one last, desperate attempt at retaliation. Carmine, having managed to slip out of federal custody through a network of corrupt judges before his trial, tracked Vincent down to his private downtown offices, bursting through the mahogany doors with a nickel-plated revolver raised in his trembling hand. “It ends today, Rossi!” Carmine shrieked, his face twisted in psychotic rage. “If I’m going down, I’m taking you with me!” Vincent didn't even flinch. He didn't reach for a hidden weapon or call for his guards. He simply sat behind his desk, pouring a cup of black coffee as he looked up with icy contempt. “You’re late, Carmine,” Vincent said calmly. “Federal marshals raided your offshore bank accounts this morning. Your offshore assets are frozen, your captains are testifying against you, and your gun isn't even loaded.” Carmine panicked, pulling the trigger. Click. The empty chamber clicked dryly against the silent office air. Carmine stared at the gun in horror just as the heavy oak doors swung open behind him, and four federal agents alongside Dominic Hale swarmed the room, tackling Carmine to the floor and snapping heavy steel handcuffs around his wrists. “Take him away,” Vincent commanded flatly, sipping his coffee. “And make sure he spends the rest of his natural life staring at concrete walls where he can never hurt anyone again.” The nightmare was finally, permanently over.
