Chapter 6 - The Bellandi TrapThe Bellandi family arrived before noon.
Three black cars entered the Russo estate.
At their center was Isabella Bellandi.
She wore white.
She carried no weapon.
She didn't need to.
Her family's reputation entered the room before she did.
Victor stood in the library.
“What do you want?”
Isabella looked at him.
“Peace.”
“You offered that last night.”
“You rejected it.”
“I still do.”
She placed a folder on the desk.
“Then at least know what you're rejecting.”
Victor opened it.
Inside were photographs of Carlo meeting Bellandi soldiers.
Documents.
Bank transfers.
A series of recent payments.
Victor looked at her.
“You've been watching Carlo.”
“For years.”
“Why tell me now?”
“Because someone inside your family betrayed mine.”
Elena stepped closer.
“Who?”
Isabella looked at her.
“You.”
Elena froze.
Victor's hand moved toward his gun.
Isabella shook her head.
“Not because of what you did.”
She pointed to the ledger.
“Because Carlo has been telling everyone you stole it.”
Elena's face hardened.
“I didn't.”
“I know.”
Isabella sat down.
“Carlo wants the Bellandis to believe the Marlow girl has the ledger.”
Victor realized it.
“He wants them to kill Elena.”
“Exactly.”
Daniel entered the room.
The moment Isabella saw him, her face changed.
“You're alive.”
Daniel nodded.
“Apparently.”
She gave him a bitter smile.
“Carlo will be furious.”
“He already is.”
A crash came from upstairs.
Then another.
Gabriel rushed in.
“Security breach.”
Victor stood.
“How many?”
“Too many.”
The windows shattered.
Bullets tore through the library.
Isabella dropped behind the desk.
Elena crouched beside Victor.
Daniel drew a weapon.
“They're not Bellandi.”
Victor fired toward the hallway.
“Then who?”
Daniel answered.
“Carlo's private men.”
The gunfight lasted seven minutes.
When it ended, three attackers were dead.
One was alive.
Victor dragged him into the library.
“Who sent you?”
The man laughed.
“Your uncle.”
Victor grabbed his collar.
“Where?”
The man looked at Elena.
“He said the woman dies first.”
Victor's grip tightened.
“Where is Carlo?”
The attacker smiled.
“At your wedding.”
Victor froze.
“I’m not getting married.”
The man laughed harder.
“You are tomorrow.”
Everyone went silent.
Isabella looked at Victor.
“Carlo arranged a ceremony.”
“For what?”
“To unite the Russo and Bellandi families.”
Victor stared.
“I rejected that.”
“Carlo didn't.”
He had already sent invitations.
He had arranged the venue.
He had announced the engagement.
Victor looked at Elena.
The color drained from her face.
Daniel whispered:
“He needs a public event.”
Victor understood.
“A massacre.”
Isabella nodded.
“Exactly.”
Victor looked at the ledger.
“If Carlo is planning to kill me tomorrow, he'll use the wedding as cover.”
“And Elena?”
Isabella's expression darkened.
“She'll be blamed for everything.”
A phone rang.
Victor answered.
A distorted voice spoke.
“Victor Russo.”
“Who is this?”
“You have until midnight.”
“For what?”
“To bring me the Marlow ledger.”
Victor said nothing.
The voice continued.
“Or Elena dies at your wedding.”
The call ended.
Victor looked at Elena.
She was already staring at him.
“I'll go.”
“No.”
“I have to.”
“No.”
Her eyes filled.
“Victor, this started because of me.”
“It started before you were born.”
Elena stepped closer.
“And if I don't end it?”
Victor shook his head.
“I'll end it.”
Then the library doors opened.
Carlo stood there.
May you like
He was holding a gun to Gabriel's head.
“Then let's begin.”
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