Chapter 9 - THE CLEANING OF THE HOUSEWith Isabella safe in Marco’s arms outside the warehouse, Vincent turned back toward the dark corners of the building.
The remaining Moretti guards were forced onto their knees, their hands tied behind their backs, guarded by Torino soldiers.
In the corner, Arthur Pendelton was dragged out from behind the crates by two guards and thrown onto the concrete at Vincent’s feet.
"Mr. Torino! Please! I was forced!" Pendelton sobbed, hugging Vincent’s polished leather shoes. "Leo threatened to kill me! I had no choice!"
Vincent looked down at the pathetic man who had stolen from his staff and helped kidnap a child.
"You always had a choice, Arthur," Vincent said coldly. "You chose greed. You chose cruelty."
Vincent nodded to Marco. "Hand Pendelton over to the District Attorney along with the financial ledgers from the estate. Let him spend the next thirty years in a federal penitentiary."
"Yes, Boss," Marco agreed. "And Leo?"
Leo Moretti was dragged to his feet, his face bloody and swollen, his eyes filled with pure terror as he realized his father could no longer protect him.
At that moment, the side door opened, and Don Sal Moretti stepped into the warehouse, accompanied by two older lieutenants.
Sal looked at his broken, bleeding son, then looked at Vincent Torino holding the weapon that had brought his family to its knees.
Sal walked over, standing inches from Leo. Without a word, the older mobster raised his hand and struck his own son across the face with a heavy, echoing slap.
"You brought shame to our name," Sal said, his voice raspy and broken with grief. "You broke the sacred law. You targeted a child."
Sal turned to Vincent, bowing his head slightly in absolute submission. "He is no longer my son. The Moretti family surrenders all rights to the harbor, the shipping lanes, and the downtown district. Do what justice demands, Vincent."
Vincent looked at the old man, seeing the deep tragedy of a father who had raised a monster.
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"I won't kill your son, Sal," Vincent declared, his voice echoing across the warehouse. "Death is too easy for a coward. He will be handed over to the authorities for federal kidnapping and attempted murder. He will spend his life behind iron bars, where he can think about the child he tried to break."
Sal let out a long breath, nodding gratefully. "Thank you, Vincent. You are a better man than I ever was."
