Chapter 6 - THE KING'S RETURN
Victor Falcone entered the mansion as though he had never left.
His men spread through the halls.
Matteo waited in the study.
Gun raised.
Victor stopped ten feet away.
“Put it down.”
Matteo laughed.
“You've got nerve.”
Victor smiled.
“You've got my eyes.”
“I've got nothing of yours.”
“Everything you have came from me.”
“My wife didn't.”
Victor's smile disappeared.
“Clara.”
“Yes.”
“She was always the problem.”
Matteo's finger tightened around the trigger.
“You touch her and I swear—”
“You already lost her.”
Victor stepped closer.
“She finally saw you clearly.”
Matteo stared at him.
“You orchestrated the warehouse.”
“Yes.”
“Peter?”
“Collateral.”
“You framed my wife’s brother.”
“I tested you.”
“For what?”
“To see whether you would choose your family or your wife.”
Matteo's eyes hardened.
“And?”
“You chose neither.”
Victor smiled.
“You chose power.”
Matteo lunged.
Frank stopped him.
Victor laughed.
“Exactly like me.”
Matteo shouted,
“Where is Clara?”
Victor's expression became serious.
“Ask your mother.”
Matteo turned.
Elena was gone.
The room fell silent.
Frank whispered,
“She left through the rear passage.”
Matteo understood.
His mother had never returned to save him.
She had returned to finish something.
Meanwhile, Clara sat in a hidden room beneath an old church.
Gabriel stood near the door.
“Where are we?”
“Chicago.”
“I know that.”
He almost smiled.
“You're safer here.”
Clara looked at him.
“Why are you helping me?”
Gabriel hesitated.
“Because your husband once saved my life.”
“When?”
“Eight years ago.”
Clara frowned.
“He doesn't remember.”
Gabriel looked down.
“He saved a boy during a shooting.”
“What boy?”
Gabriel met her eyes.
“Me.”
Clara studied him.
“How old were you?”
“Seventeen.”
“And now?”
“Twenty-five.”
She realized something.
“You work for him.”
“I used to.”
“Then why are you protecting me?”
Gabriel's expression darkened.
“Because Matteo doesn't know who is loyal anymore.”
Clara looked away.
She was exhausted.
Then the door opened.
Elena entered.
Clara stood.
“Where is Matteo?”
“He's alive.”
“Did he find you?”
“No.”
“Then why did you leave him?”
Elena looked at her.
“Because Matteo needs to believe you're dead.”
Clara's eyes widened.
“What?”
“Victor is watching him.”
“But if Matteo thinks I'm dead…”
“He'll stop looking.”
Clara's voice cracked.
“You want him to mourn me?”
“No.”
Elena stepped closer.
“I want him angry.”
“Why?”
“Because anger is the only thing Victor cannot control.”
Clara stared at her.
“And what happens after Matteo becomes angry?”
May you like
Elena's eyes hardened.
“He destroys the Falcone empire.”
