Chapter 8 - THE LAST ENEMY
The final enemy was Anthony Vale.
Dominic's father's former consigliere.
A man everyone believed had died fifteen years earlier.
He had orchestrated the original betrayal.
The Moretti conflict.
The attacks.
Sofia's manipulation.
Everything.
Anthony wanted Dominic's empire because he believed it belonged to him.
He kidnapped Linda.
Not Keo.
Linda.
The attack happened at the estate.
Dominic returned to find the front door open.
Linda's phone lay shattered on the floor.
Keo was safe with security.
Dominic's face became expressionless.
"Find her."
They traced the vehicle.
An abandoned church.
Dominic arrived alone.
Anthony stood at the altar.
Linda was tied to a chair.
"Dominic."
"Let her go."
Anthony smiled.
"You sound like your father."
"I am nothing like him."
"You have his empire."
"I'll burn it before I give it to you."
Anthony laughed.
"You'd sacrifice everything for her?"
Dominic looked at Linda.
"Yes."
Linda's eyes filled with tears.
Anthony shook his head.
"Pathetic."
Dominic stepped forward.
"No."
His voice was calm.
"Human."
Anthony raised his weapon.
Linda shouted:
"Dominic!"
The gunshot echoed.
Dominic dropped.
Linda screamed.
But Dominic rolled behind a pillar.
He had been wearing body armor.
His men stormed the church.
Anthony was captured.
The war ended that night.
The ledger was handed to federal investigators.
Corrupt officials were arrested.
The Moretti organization collapsed.
Sofia cooperated.
Matteo disappeared from the criminal world entirely.
Dominic survived.
Linda did too.
But when the dust settled, Dominic made a decision.
He dismantled the violent side of his empire.
Legal businesses remained.
Ports.
Restaurants.
Construction.
Security companies.
Everything else disappeared.
His men were given legitimate employment.
Some left.
Some stayed.
Dominic wanted a different life.
For Linda.
May you like
For Keo.
For himself.
