CHAPTER 7 — THE PRICE OF A FAMILY NAME
CHAPTER 7 — THE PRICE OF A FAMILY NAME
Rain poured over Brooklyn as if the city itself wanted to wash away decades of blood.
Luca Moretti stood silently inside Russo's Kitchen, staring at the frozen image of Matteo on the tablet.
His grandson was alive.
That should have been enough to fill him with hope.
Instead, Victor Romano's words echoed in his mind.
"Someone inside your own family ordered it."
For years, Luca had believed the greatest threats came from rival families, federal investigations, or ambitious lieutenants.
He had never imagined the betrayal had been sitting at his own table.
Within an hour, every senior member of the Moretti organization gathered inside the family's private estate overlooking the East River.
No one spoke.
No one dared.
Luca entered alone.
Without bodyguards.
Without ceremony.
He placed Matteo's photograph in the center of the long oak table.
Then he looked at every face.
"My grandson was not taken by strangers."
The room remained silent.
"He was sold."
Several men exchanged uneasy glances.
Luca noticed.
He always noticed.
"I will ask one question."
His voice was calm.
"If anyone lies..."
"...there will not be a second question."
Before anyone answered, the massive wooden doors burst open.
Marco rushed inside.
"Boss!"
"What?"
"They found another video."
The screen lit up.
Matteo appeared again.
This time he wasn't alone.
Standing beside him was a masked man whose face remained hidden.
But one detail couldn't be concealed.
On his right hand...
A silver ring bearing the Moretti family crest.
The room exploded with murmurs.
Only blood relatives wore that ring.
Someone from the Moretti family truly was behind everything.
Luca slowly turned toward his younger cousin, Carlo.
Carlo instinctively covered his right hand.
Too late.
The silver ring was gone.
Luca's eyes narrowed.
"Where is your ring?"
Carlo forced a laugh.
"I... lost it."
"When?"
"A few weeks ago."
Marco immediately stepped forward.
"That's impossible."
He pulled a small evidence bag from his pocket.
Inside was the same silver ring.
Recovered that afternoon from the abandoned warehouse where Matteo had been held.
Carlo's face turned white.
"I can explain."
"You have one chance," Luca replied.
Tears suddenly filled Carlo's eyes.
"I never wanted Matteo hurt."
"They promised they would only frighten you."
"They said if the boy disappeared for a few days, you'd finally retire..."
"...and I could lead the family."
The confession echoed through the hall.
Luca didn't shout.
He didn't strike him.
His disappointment hurt far more.
"You sold your own nephew..."
"...for power."
Carlo collapsed to his knees.
"I'm sorry."
Luca looked away.
"No."
"You're afraid."
At that exact moment, Sophie's voice interrupted the silence.
She had quietly entered with Amelia and Connie after Marco insisted they remain under Moretti protection.
The adults froze.
Sophie looked at Carlo with innocent confusion.
"Why would you make a little boy's grandpa cry?"
Nobody answered.
The question was too simple.
Too honest.
Carlo lowered his head.
May you like
For the first time in years...
He realized exactly what he had become.
