Chapter 12
Dante read the payment record three times.
“Marco’s own father paid him?”
Rocco shook his head.
“Not necessarily.”
The account was Lorenzo’s, but Carlo had power of attorney on it for business emergencies.
The payment had been authorized using Lorenzo’s credentials while Lorenzo was hospitalized for heart treatment.
Carlo had used his brother’s name as cover.
Dante felt a grim relief.
Then hated himself for feeling it.
Lorenzo had still buried the truth afterward.
Samuel joined them.
“Carlo wants to talk.”
They met at the federal detention center.
Carlo looked older without his tailored coat.
“You found the hospital records,” he said.
“Yes.”
“So now your father is innocent?”
“No.”
Carlo smiled faintly.
“Good. You’re learning.”
Dante sat across from him.
“Why Marco?”
“He wouldn’t stop.”
“That’s not a reason.”
“It is to men who have built everything on silence.”
“Did Vincent order it?”
“We agreed.”
“You and Vincent.”
“Yes.”
“And Vanessa?”
“She knew Marco was investigating. She did not know about the hit until afterward.”
Dante’s jaw tightened.
Carlo leaned closer.
“Do you know why she chose you?”
“For the shares.”
“Partly.”
“What else?”
“Protection.”
“From Vincent?”
“From everyone.”
Dante studied him.
Carlo continued.
“Vanessa grew up watching her father own people. She learned the only safe place was beside someone more feared.”
“That doesn’t excuse her.”
“I didn’t say it did.”
Carlo sat back.
Then he said, “Marco knew something else.”
Dante waited.
“He knew Lorenzo planned to change the family succession.”
“To what?”
“To remove you.”
For the first time, Carlo surprised him.
Dante’s voice went quiet.
“Why?”
“Because your father believed you were becoming too much like him.”
Dante almost laughed.
Then Carlo added:
May you like
“He wanted Marco to lead the family instead.”
And that meant Marco’s death had changed far more than Dante ever knew.
