Chapter 11 - THE FATHER WHO REFUSED TO DIE
Vittorio Vulpe was living under an assumed name in a private estate near Lake Como.
He had spent six years pretending to be dead.
He controlled money through intermediaries.
Maintained contacts.
And watched Aleandro build the Chicago organization without him.
When Aleandro arrived, Vittorio was sitting on a terrace overlooking the water.
He looked older.
But unmistakably alive.
For a long moment, father and son stared at each other.
Then Vittorio smiled.
“Aleandro.”
Aleandro did not move.
“You're alive.”
Vittorio shrugged.
“Obviously.”
Aleandro's jaw tightened.
“I buried you.”
“You buried a man who agreed to play a role.”
Aleandro stared.
“You let me mourn you.”
Vittorio's smile faded.
“Grief makes men stronger.”
Aleandro stepped closer.
“No.”
His voice was quiet.
“Truth does.”
Vittorio looked toward Irene.
His expression changed.
“Isabella.”
She stared.
“You knew my father.”
Vittorio nodded.
“Yes.”
“Did you help destroy my family?”
He looked away.
Irene stepped forward.
“Answer me.”
Vittorio sighed.
“Your father made dangerous choices.”
Irene felt anger rise.
“He tried to expose criminals.”
Vittorio smiled faintly.
“In our world, those are often the same thing.”
Aleandro slammed his hand against the table.
“Enough.”
Vittorio looked at him.
His expression hardened.
“You've become sentimental.”
Aleandro stared.
“No.”
He stepped closer.
“I've become tired of men like you deciding other people's lives are disposable.”
Vittorio laughed.
Then looked toward Irene.
“Your mother is alive.”
Irene stopped breathing.
“Where?”
Vittorio hesitated.
Then said:
“Caterina has her.”
Irene felt cold.
“Where?”
Vittorio looked at Aleandro.
“Help me regain control of Chicago, and I'll tell you.”
Aleandro stared at his father.
Then shook his head.
“No.”
Vittorio's smile vanished.
Aleandro continued.
“We're not negotiating with you.”
May you like
He stepped back.
“And you're going to answer to the authorities for what you've done.”
