Chapter 10 - THE CANNERY

Rain hammered the abandoned cannery roof.

Paolo entered through the main loading bay with his hands visible.

Talia walked beside him.

She carried the signed statement.

At least Renato thought she did.

In reality, the document contained a hidden transmitter.

Marco and Darius were outside with a small tactical team.

No police.

Not yet.

Paolo did not know how many cops Renato owned.

Ava’s life was too valuable to gamble.

A spotlight snapped on.

Renato stood on an upper platform.

He was sixty-three.

Silver hair.

Expensive coat.

The relaxed posture of a man who believed every room eventually belonged to him.

“Paolo.”

“Uncle.”

“You look well for a dead man.”

“You look old for a coward.”

Renato smiled.

“Talia?”

She raised the document.

“I signed.”

“Good girl.”

She flinched.

Paolo saw it.

That phrase had always belonged to their father.

Renato knew exactly what he was doing.

“Where’s Ava?” Paolo asked.

“Safe.”

“Show me.”

Renato gestured.

Two men wheeled a chair into view.

Ava sat tied to it.

Her mouth was not covered.

“Daddy!”

Paolo’s hands curled.

“I’m here.”

“Get me!”

“I will.”

Renato smiled.

“Touching.”

“Let her go.”

“When I have the transfer.”

“I didn’t bring it.”

Renato’s smile disappeared.

“I told you—”

“You told me a lot of things.”

Paolo took another step.

“You told people I was dead.”

“That was Carmela.”

“She did your paperwork.”

Renato’s jaw tightened.

Paolo continued.

“You ordered Sicily.”

No answer.

“You ordered River Road.”

No answer.

“You bought Victor.”

A slight smile.

“And now you took my daughter.”

Renato spread his hands.

“Family business is rarely polite.”

Talia shouted.

“She’s four!”

Renato looked at her.

“You were always too emotional.”

“You lied to me.”

“I educated you.”

“You used me.”

“So did your mother.”

Talia’s face tightened.

Paolo kept Renato talking.

Every second gave Marco more time.

“Where’s Luca?”

Renato’s expression changed.

“Why do you care?”

“He saved my life.”

“No.”

Renato smiled.

“He created this mess.”

A side door opened.

Two men dragged Luca into the room.

He was alive.

Bruised.

Thin.

But alive.

Paolo stared.

Luca managed a weak smile.

“Took you long enough.”

Renato laughed.

“Wonderful reunion.”

Paolo looked at Ava.

Then Luca.

Too many hostages.

Too few options.

Renato descended the stairs.

“Give me the statement.”

Talia held it out.

Renato took it.

He scanned the signature.

Then smiled.

“Smart girl.”

He removed a lighter.

Paolo frowned.

Renato held the flame under the corner.

The paper burned.

Talia stared.

“What are you doing?”

“I don’t need it.”

Paolo’s stomach tightened.

Renato looked at him.

“I needed you here.”

A metal door slammed behind them.

Paolo spun.

Men appeared on the catwalks.

Eight.

Ten.

Maybe twelve.

Renato’s smile widened.

“You really thought this was about a board vote?”

Paolo looked at Ava.

“What do you want?”

Renato stepped closer.

“The same thing I wanted twenty-three years ago.”

He pulled a gun.

“You dead.”

Ava screamed.

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Renato raised the weapon.

And the lights went out.