Chapter 6 - The Lawyer Who Sold the Divorce

Dante watched Arthur on the monitor.

Seventy-two years old.

The man who had handled his father’s estate.

His mother’s funeral.

Every major contract of Dante’s adult life.

Bought.

Maybe for years.

Arthur spoke again.

“Carlo says Dante is moving through the building.”

Vincent looked at his watch.

“Then he has twenty-three minutes.”

Dante checked his own.

11:37.

Serena stared at the screen.

“My father is in your study.”

“Yes.”

“With your lawyer.”

“Yes.”

Patricia whispered:

“We need to get out.”

Dante shook his head.

“No.”

Serena looked at him.

“What?”

“We need to go up.”

“To them?”

“Yes.”

“Dante.”

He pointed at the monitor.

“Your father thinks I’m running.”

“What are you planning?”

Dante looked at the files.

“Changing the ending.”

He used the surveillance system to contact the only security officer he still trusted.

Luca Ferraro.

No answer.

Again.

Nothing.

Then a text appeared.

SERVICE GARAGE. FOUR LOYAL. REST COMPROMISED.

Dante replied:

STUDY. 11:50.

Serena stared.

“Four men?”

“Five with me.”

“Carlo has at least twelve.”

Dante looked at her.

“Then we avoid Carlo.”

A gunshot hit the steel door outside.

Too late.

Carlo’s voice came through.

“Serena.”

She froze.

Dante saw it.

The old fear.

The one her father had weaponized.

Carlo knocked once.

“You remember me.”

Dante moved toward the door.

Serena grabbed him.

“No.”

He looked at her.

“If you open it angry, he wins.”

Dante stared.

Then slowly lowered the gun.

Carlo laughed outside.

“Still hiding behind men, Serena?”

Something changed in her face.

Not fear disappearing.

Something stronger standing beside it.

She walked to the microphone connected to the hall speaker.

Dante tried to stop her.

She shook her head.

Then pressed the button.

“Carlo.”

Silence outside.

He had not expected her voice.

Serena continued.

“You killed Matteo.”

Nothing.

Then Carlo answered:

“Your brother made choices.”

Serena’s eyes filled.

“So did you.”

Carlo laughed.

“And what are you going to do?”

Serena looked at Dante.

Then at the files.

“Tell the truth.”

Carlo fired into the lock.

The steel held.

Serena did not move.

Dante stared at her.

For three years he had mistaken distance for weakness.

He understood now.

She had been fighting quietly because quiet was the only weapon she believed she had.

Dante picked up a portable drive from the surveillance console.

Copied everything.

Then handed it to Patricia.

“Take this.”

“What?”

“Insurance.”

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He looked at Serena.

“Now we go upstairs.”