Chapter 14
The court froze Marco’s shares immediately.
No sale.
No transfer.
No wedding trust.
The money belonged to Mateo.
Because he was nine, the court required a temporary trustee until a permanent structure could be created.
Dante expected an independent bank.
Instead, the judge named him.
He objected.
“That is exactly why I’m appointing you,” the judge said. “You disclosed the evidence that reduced your own control.”
The trust came with audits, outside counsel, and strict limits.
Dante read every page.
Twice.
Mateo sat across from him later.
“So the money is mine?”
“Eventually.”
“Can I buy a motorcycle?”
“No.”
“A little one?”
“No.”
Mateo groaned.
Sophia, sitting nearby, announced, “No motorcycle.”
Dante opened the hidden drawer beneath his desk.
The Moretti seal rested on green felt.
Mateo touched the scratch across the hawk.
“Was that Dad’s?”
“It belonged to the family.”
“What does it mean?”
Dante thought of Sophia calling it the bird thing.
Of Marco calling it a promise.
“It means nothing if the person using it can’t be trusted.”
Mateo frowned.
“Then why hide it?”
Dante looked at the secret drawer.
Good question.
He removed the seal.
Later that afternoon, he had a glass cabinet installed in the library.
The bronze block went inside where anyone could see it.
Rocco raised an eyebrow.
“No more secret drawer?”
“No more secret promises.”
Rocco looked almost disappointed.
Samuel arrived with sentencing dates for Vanessa and Vincent.
Then he placed a final file on the desk.
“Carlo signed a cooperation agreement.”
Dante opened it.
Carlo had agreed to testify about Marco’s murder and the Bello network.
In return, prosecutors would recommend reduced charges.
Dante felt anger rise.
Elena saw it.
“You wanted truth.”
“Not mercy.”
“You don’t get to order both.”
Dante looked at her.
She was right again.
He hated when that happened.
Then Samuel said, “Carlo’s statement includes one last allegation.”
“What?”
“He says Lorenzo was preparing to go to the authorities before Marco died.”
May you like
Dante looked toward his father’s old portrait.
“And Carlo has proof.”
