Chapter 10 - THE ACCOUNTANT WHO OWNED TOO MUCH
Z
Vincent Caruso was arrested on a cold November morning.
The authorities had developed evidence concerning financial fraud, identity-document irregularities, and other serious offenses connected to the historical investigations.
The arrest did not resolve every allegation.
But it ended Vincent's ability to move freely through the Russo companies while pretending nothing had changed.
Derek watched the news from his office.
Leo stood beside the window.
For a long time, neither spoke.
Then Leo said, “I thought I'd feel better.”
Derek looked at him.
“Me too.”
Leo laughed without humor.
“Funny how that works.”
The brothers began rebuilding their relationship slowly.
Some conversations were easy.
Childhood memories.
Baseball.
Their mother's cooking.
The time Leo broke a neighbor's window and blamed a stray dog.
Other conversations were painful.
Leo asked why Derek had believed Salvatore so completely.
Derek asked why Leo had stayed away for years after escaping.
Neither liked the answers.
But both kept talking.
One evening, Leo said, “I didn't trust you.”
Derek looked down.
“I know.”
“I thought you'd choose Dad.”
“I probably would have.”
Leo stared.
The admission hurt.
But it also mattered.
Derek continued.
“I was so busy trying to prove I deserved his respect that I stopped questioning whether his approval was worth having.”
Leo's eyes filled.
“I missed you.”
Derek looked up.
“I missed you too.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Leo laughed softly.
“You still make terrible coffee?”
Derek smiled.
“Absolutely.”
“Good.”
They embraced.
And for the first time in years, Derek began to believe their relationship could become something more than a collection of regrets.
Meanwhile, Emily began reclaiming her identity.
She chose to use the name Lucia Costa privately while keeping Emily as part of her legal and social identity during the transition.
She didn't want to erase the life she'd lived.
She wanted to understand it.
Patricia Caruso, who had cooperated with investigators, continued supporting her.
Isabella respected that complicated relationship.
She had imagined bringing her little sister home.
Instead, she was learning how to love the young woman Lucia had become.
That evening, Derek received a message from Isabella.
Lucia passed her chemistry exam.
He smiled.
Then typed:
Tell her congratulations.
A moment later, another message appeared.
She says thank you. And that you owe her the rest of the story about Leo stealing your motorcycle.
Derek laughed.
He replied:
That story has been exaggerated.
Isabella answered:
Leo says you cried.
Derek stared.
Then laughed harder.
For a moment, life felt almost normal.
But the investigation revealed another troubling fact.
The financial network linked to Vincent had supported several fraudulent contracts through entities Derek had inherited.
Some of the companies were legitimate.
Others were not.
Derek's attorneys warned that restructuring would require cooperation, disclosure, and potentially serious consequences for his past decisions.
He listened.
Then said, “Do it.”
One attorney frowned.
“Mr. Russo, this could cost you an enormous amount.”
Derek looked toward Leo's photograph.
May you like
Then answered.
“It already has.”
