Chapter 17 - THE UNCLE WHO FINALLY CONFESSED|
Salvatore collapsed before he reached the front steps.
Luca caught him by the shoulders while Franco ordered the security team to check the road. The older man had a deep cut along his side, and his expensive suit was soaked with blood.
“Get a doctor,” Franco said.
“No hospitals,” Salvatore muttered. “Wells has people there.”
Samantha stood beside Mara, uncertain whether to feel pity or anger.
Salvatore looked at her.
“I deserve the anger.”
“You deserve more than that.”
He nodded weakly.
“Probably.”
They moved him into the sitting room and applied pressure to the wound until a private physician arrived. The injury was serious but not immediately life-threatening. Once the doctor had stabilized him, Franco demanded the truth.
Salvatore handed over the envelope.
Inside were copies of messages between himself and Brandon Wells, along with a partial ledger showing payments to the security company that had taken Tyler.
Franco read the first page.
“You authorized the operation.”
Salvatore's eyes closed.
“Yes.”
Samantha stepped forward.
“You knew they would take my son.”
“I knew they planned to intercept the vehicle. I was told Wells intended to use the boy to force a transfer of the port contracts. I believed I could arrange a controlled exchange and return him unharmed.”
“You believed you could bargain with a man who wanted control of a child?”
“I believed I could control the situation.”
“That's what men like you always say.”
Salvatore flinched, but he did not argue.
He admitted that he had sent the original envelope containing three thousand dollars and the telephone number. He had wanted Samantha to contact Luca before Wells could reach her directly. He had hoped to move her and Tyler into protective custody without revealing his involvement.
“You planted the money,” Samantha said.
“Yes.”
“You watched me for years.”
“Yes.”
“You knew I was struggling.”
His voice broke.
“Yes.”
She turned away, fighting tears.
“Then don't ask me to forgive you because you finally decided to feel guilty.”
“I'm not asking.”
Franco opened the ledger.
“You also gave Wells Matteo's route.”
Salvatore looked at him.
“I did.”
The answer silenced the room.
“Why?”
“Matteo was preparing to expose the shipping network. He had evidence that could have put half our associates in prison. Wells threatened to release information about our family that would have destroyed you.”
“So you gave him my brother.”
“I gave him a route. I told myself the warning would allow Matteo to change his plans. I thought Wells would use the information to frighten him.”
Franco's expression became almost expressionless.
“And Matteo died.”
Salvatore lowered his head.
“I know.”
For several seconds, Franco looked as though he might strike him. His hands clenched, and the old anger that had defined his life returned with frightening force.
Samantha moved closer.
“Franco.”
He did not look at her.
“Franco, look at me.”
He finally turned.
She did not tell him that he had to forgive Salvatore. She did not ask him to forget his brother.
She simply placed her hand over his.
“You told Tyler that hurting people has consequences. Let that be true for everyone. Even him.”
Franco drew a slow breath.
Then he turned to Luca.
“Call the authorities. Give them the ledger, the messages, and every document Salvatore has provided. He will be treated as a witness and a suspect. Nothing gets hidden.”
Salvatore looked at him in disbelief.
“You would hand your own uncle to the police?”
“You handed my son to a man who wanted to use him as a bargaining chip.”
“I was trying to save the family.”
“No. You were trying to save your control over it.”
Salvatore had no answer.
The authorities arrived before sunset. They took custody of the evidence and arranged for Salvatore to be questioned under medical supervision.
Before he was escorted out, he asked to speak with Samantha alone.
She refused.
Then he asked to see Tyler.
Samantha said no again.
He accepted both answers.
After he left, Luca placed the final page of the ledger on the table. It showed that Brandon had arranged a private meeting with the foundation's board for the following evening.
The agenda was simple.
A vote to remove Franco from control of the shipping trust.
A motion to appoint Brandon as temporary guardian of the trust's minor beneficiary.
And a request for an immediate judicial review of Samantha's fitness as a mother.
At the bottom was a handwritten note.
If the mother refuses to cooperate, bring her to the meeting. The boy will follow.
Franco read it and looked at Samantha.
“We don't have to wait for him to make the next move.”
She nodded.
“Then let's stop reacting and start exposing him.”
For the first time since the restaurant, Franco did not tell her to stay behind.
May you like
He asked what she thought they should do.
And Samantha had an answer.
