Chapter 10 – The Final Threat

“Who did he call?” Teresa asked, her hands gripping the counter.

“Vanessa’s father,” Luca said, sliding the phone back into his pocket. “The Bellini family.”

The room went cold. The Bellinis weren’t just a corporate rival; they were the family Carlo’s old crew used to war with decades ago. The engagement between Luca and Vanessa was supposed to be a permanent peace treaty.

“They’re demanding Sarah and Leo,” Luca said quietly. “They say Michael promised them the trust fund as part of the dowry.”

“They can’t have my son!” Sarah’s voice rang out.

We turned. Sarah was standing in the doorway, leaning heavily against the frame. She was pale, but her eyes were fierce.

Luca rushed to her side, supporting her weight. “You should be in bed.”

“I’m not hiding anymore, Luca,” she said. She looked at me. “Hannah. The key.”

I picked up the small brass key from the counter.

“Take it to the bank on 5th Avenue,” Sarah said breathlessly. “Box 402. Bring back what’s inside.”

“I’m not leaving you here,” I said.

“Go with Carlo,” Luca instructed me, his voice leaving no room for argument. “He has men waiting outside.”

Ten minutes later, I was in the back of Carlo’s Town Car, speeding downtown. Two black SUVs trailed us.

We walked into the bank like an army. The manager took one look at Carlo’s face and rushed us to the vault without a word.

I inserted the tiny brass key into box 402.

It clicked open.

Inside wasn’t cash. It wasn’t gold.

It was a thick ledger bound in black leather, and a stack of old cassette tapes.

I opened the ledger. The pages were filled with names, dates, and bank account numbers.

“What is this?” I asked Carlo.

Carlo smiled grimly. “That, little girl, is the Bellini family’s true history. Extortion, bribery, murder. The old man kept their dirty laundry as an insurance policy.”

I grabbed the ledger and the tapes.

As we walked out of the bank, my phone rang. It was Luca.

“Did you get it?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said. “We’re coming back.”

“Hurry,” Luca said, his voice tight. “Vanessa’s father just pulled up to the front gates.”

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