"For now is all I'm asking." I turned to Elio. "I need you to compile everything we have on Vincent's embezzlement. Every transaction. Every suspicious withdrawal. Everything that proves he's a thief."
"Already started. I'll have a complete dossier by tomorrow."
"Good. Luca, reach out to your contacts in Phoenix. See if you can find out where Vincent's living. Not to hurt him," I added when Matteo perked up. "Just to know. Information is power."
"On it."
The meeting adjourned. My partners left. I sat alone in the conference room thinking about the choice I'd just made.
A year ago—hell, six months ago—I would've sent Matteo to Phoenix without hesitation. Would've eliminated the threat permanently. Would've considered murder a reasonable business expense.
But Emilio had changed me. Made me consider consequences beyond immediate solutions. Made me think about the kind of man I wanted to be instead of just the kind of man I was raised to be.
It felt weak sometimes. This new tendency toward mercy. Toward legal strategies instead of violent ones. But it also felt right in ways I couldn't quite articulate.
My phone buzzed. Text from Emilio:How'd the meeting go?
I smiled despite everything.Called Matteo off. We're handling Vincent legally.
I'm proud of you.
Three simple words that shouldn't matter as much as they did. But they warmed something in my chest that had been cold for as long as I could remember.
Come to Inferno tonight. I want to celebrate choosing mercy with you.
I'll be there at 8.
I spent the afternoon handling business. Reviewing the legitimate operations that kept us profitable. Approving expense reports. Meeting with accountants who weren't betraying us to federal agents.
Normal work. Legal work. The kind of empire-building that didn't require violence or intimidation. Just intelligence and strategy and knowing how to read markets.
At 7 PM, my assistant brought in an envelope marked "personal delivery."
I opened it and found an embossed invitation on heavy cardstock.
The Costello Family requests the pleasure of your companyat an exclusive gatheringSaturday, November 7th, 9 PMLocation to be provided upon RSVP
Black tie requiredPlus one welcome
I stared at the invitation. The Costello family had spent months trying to destroy me. Had planted lying witnesses. Had paid for false testimony. Had done everything possible to see me convicted.
Now they were inviting me to an exclusive gathering?
My phone rang. Peter Costello himself.
I answered cautiously. "Peter."
"Alessandro. I trust you received our invitation." His voice was smooth. Friendly. Like we were old associates instead of enemies.
"I did. What's this about?"
"Consider it an olive branch. The trial is over. My nephew told the truth. The charges were dismissed. We have no reason to continue our... disagreement."
"Your family tried to destroy me."
"And failed. As everyone knew we would." He chuckled. "You're a formidable opponent, Alessandro. We respect that. Now we'd like to move forward. Bury the hatchet, as it were."
"By inviting me to an exclusive gathering."
