Chapter 6 - The Bloodline Ledger
The vault was soundproof, but the violent vibrations of heavy iron sledgehammers striking the outer steel door echoed through the walls like distant thunder.
THUD.
THUD.
THUD.
Nico flinched at every impact, burying his face deeper into Liana’s neck. Liana rocked him back and forth, her eyes wide with terror as she watched the steel door frame flex slightly under the tremendous force outside.
“They brought concrete breakers,” Dr. Mercer whimpered from the corner, holding his head in his hands. “They’re going to cut through the hinges! We’re trapped like rats!”
“Shut up, Julian,” Matteo ordered smoothly.
Matteo was standing at a secondary wall safe hidden behind a framed map of Italy. He punched in a combination, and the safe popped open. Inside lay two automatic submachine guns, four extra magazines, and a thick, black leather-bound ledger tied with a red ribbon.
Matteo pulled the ledger out and threw it onto the table in front of Liana.
“What is that?” Liana asked, her voice raspy.
“Giulia’s insurance policy,” Matteo explained, his dark eyes locked on the book. “Three months before she died, Giulia realized my mother and her adoptive father were plotting something. She started secretly recording every transaction, every illegal wire transfer, and every political payoff between the Varric and Moretti families for the last five years.”
Liana looked at the dark leather cover. “This is what she was using to try to escape?”
“Yes,” Matteo said softly, a dark regret washing over his features. “She tried to use it to buy her freedom and come find you. But my mother caught wind of it before Giulia could reach the authorities. This ledger contains enough evidence to put Donna Elena, Vincent Moretti, and fifty senior lieutenants in federal prison for the rest of their lives.”
CRACK!
A sharp, metallic screech echoed from the vault door. On the security monitor, a spark-shower exploded as a plasma torch began cutting through the upper hinge of the steel door.
“They’ll be through in ten minutes,” Matteo said. He walked over to the back corner of the vault and kicked aside a heavy Persian rug, revealing a circular iron hatch set into the concrete floor.
He pulled a brass key from his neck chain, inserted it into the hatch lock, and turned it hard. The heavy iron hatch popped open, revealing a dark ladder descending into a subterranean tunnel.
“The old storm drain system,” Matteo said, pointing down into the dark. “It leads half a mile east, straight out of the estate compound to a private boathouse on the river.”
Liana stood up, clutching Nico tight. “You're coming with us?”
Matteo looked from Liana’s face down to the baby. For the first time since she had met him, the cold, dangerous mob boss looked genuinely vulnerable.
“I spent three weeks believing this boy was my son,” Matteo said, his voice thick with unexpressed emotion. “I held him when he cried. I stayed up every night trying to make him feel safe. He might not carry my biological blood, Liana... but he is my son in every way that matters.”
Liana felt a warm tear slip down her cheek. She reached out, her fingers gently touching Matteo's forearm. “He knows your voice, Matteo. When you walked into the foyer yesterday, he reached for you before he reached for me. You saved his life.”
Matteo’s jaw tightened, and he gave her a firm, single nod.
“Take the ledger,” Matteo ordered, shoving the black book into Liana’s coat pocket. “Julian, you go down first. Hold the ladder for her.”
Dr. Mercer didn't need to be told twice. He scrambled down the iron rungs into the dark hole.
Liana stepped up to the hatch, holding Nico securely against her chest with one arm while her other hand gripped the cold metal ladder.
Before she stepped down, she looked up at Matteo. “What about you?”
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Matteo racked the bolt of his submachine gun, his eyes fixing on the sparks flying off the cutting torch at the vault door.
“I’m going to make sure my mother and Vincent Moretti never hurt another child again,” Matteo said coldly. “Go, Liana. I’ll meet you at the river.”
