Chapter 11 - THE FALL OF THE MAN WHO OWNED THE SHADOWS
Viktor Varga was arrested during a coordinated law-enforcement operation.
He had surrounded himself with private security.
False identities.
Hidden accounts.
And men who believed loyalty could be purchased.
But the evidence against him had grown.
Financial records.
Witness testimony.
Communications connecting him to the café attack.
And information from Marco Bandi.
When officers entered the estate, Varga attempted to flee.
He was stopped.
Arrested.
And taken into custody.
Sofia watched the news from a secure office.
For twelve years, she'd imagined this moment.
She thought she'd feel triumph.
Instead, she felt tired.
Nicolo stood beside her.
"How do you feel?"
She considered.
"Relieved."
He nodded.
"Good."
She looked at him.
"And angry."
"At him?"
"At everything."
Nicolo understood.
Later, Sofia visited Elena.
Her daughter was drawing at the kitchen table.
"Mom?"
"Yes?"
"Are we safe?"
Sofia knelt beside her.
"We're safer."
Elena studied her.
"Can we go home?"
Sofia's eyes filled.
"Yes, sweetheart."
Elena smiled.
"Good."
Nicolo watched from the doorway.
He realized that for Sofia, victory wasn't seeing Varga in handcuffs.
May you like
It was hearing her daughter ask to go home.
And being able to say yes.
