Chapter 9 - THE WEDDING DAY
I stared at the photo of my mother on my phone screen, my vision blurring with panic.
Vanessa’s people were watching me. They knew who I was. They knew where my family lived.
If I made the call, my mother would die. If I didn't make the call, Luca’s plan would fail, and Madison would die at the altar.
I looked up. Luca was already outside, stepping into a black SUV.
I ran.
I burst through the precinct doors and slammed my hand against the SUV’s window before it could pull away.
Luca rolled it down, frowning. “Claire, what’s wrong?”
I shoved the phone into his hands, tears streaming down my face. “I can't do it, Mr. Moretti. I’m so sorry. They’re threatening my mom.”
Luca looked at the screen. His expression didn't change. He didn't yell. He didn't look disappointed.
Instead, he pulled his own phone from his pocket, typed a quick message, and showed it to me.
It was a live security feed of my mother’s house in Ohio. Two massive, heavily armed men in dark suits were standing on her front porch, drinking coffee.
“Those are my men, Claire,” Luca said gently. “I sent them there six hours ago. Nobody touches your family. Make the call.”
A wave of relief so violent it made my knees weak washed over me. Luca had already anticipated they would use my family as leverage.
I nodded, stepping back, and dialed Vanessa’s number.
The next morning, Saturday, was beautiful. The sun shone brightly over the stained glass windows of St. Jude’s Cathedral.
At 10:00 AM, the church was empty except for the towering floral arrangements and the long white aisle runner.
I stood near the altar, clutching a fake manila envelope, my heart hammering against my ribs.
The heavy wooden doors at the back of the church groaned open.
Vanessa walked in.
She wore a stunning black designer suit, looking more like she was attending a funeral than a payoff. She walked slowly down the aisle, her heels clicking against the stone floor.
She stopped ten feet away from me.
“You’re a stupid girl, Claire,” Vanessa sneered. “Did you really think I’d just hand you a million dollars?”
She reached into her designer purse and pulled out the silver, suppressed handgun.
“Give me the recorder,” she ordered, aiming at my chest.
“I don't have it,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady.
Vanessa cocked the gun. “Wrong answer.”
“She’s telling the truth.”
Vanessa spun around.
Stepping out from the shadows of the confessional booth was Luca. He looked immaculate in his black tuxedo, a dark blue tie resting perfectly against his crisp white shirt.
And he was holding the digital recorder.
Vanessa laughed nervously. “Luca. Darling. What is this?”
“This is the end, Vanessa,” Luca said, pressing a button on a small remote in his hand.
Suddenly, the side doors of the cathedral swung open.
Fifty armed men wearing black suits and blue ties poured into the church, surrounding Vanessa in a massive, inescapable ring of weapons.
Vanessa’s face went completely white. She dropped the gun.
“You think this changes anything?” she screamed, panicking. “The bomb is already armed! The Rossis rigged the altar! If you kill me, you all blow up anyway!”
“You mean the C4 strapped under the pulpit?” Luca asked casually.
He pointed to the altar.
Sitting on the marble steps was Richard Vance. He was bound, gagged, and sweating profusely. Strapped to his chest was a massive block of plastic explosives with a red digital timer counting down from three minutes.
“My guys found your bomb this morning,” Luca smiled. “We just relocated it. Right onto the man you hired to kill my wife.”
Vanessa backed away in sheer terror.
Luca snapped his fingers.
Two of his men grabbed Vanessa by the arms and dragged her toward the altar, throwing her down next to a terrified Richard.
“Luca, please!” Vanessa begged, sobbing as the timer hit two minutes.
“The police have the recorder,” Luca said coldly, standing over them. “They are on their way here right now. When they arrive, they will find the bomb, they will arrest you both for domestic terrorism, and you will spend the rest of your miserable lives in federal prison.”
He leaned down, his voice turning to ice.
“If you ever come near my family again, I won't call the police. I’ll handle it myself. Do you understand?”
Vanessa nodded frantically, weeping hysterically as the timer ticked down.
Luca turned and walked away.
“Wait!” Vanessa screamed. “The bomb! Turn it off!”
Luca didn't look back. “It’s a prop timer. The explosive is real, but the detonator is in my pocket. Enjoy your heart attacks.”
He walked down the aisle toward the front doors just as the wail of police sirens filled the streets outside.
At 1:00 PM, the church was packed with guests.
The bomb squad had cleared the building, arresting Vanessa and Richard in the process. The nightmare was over.
The organ music swelled, filling the vaulted ceilings with a beautiful, triumphant melody.
Madison stood in the vestibule, looking absolutely breathtaking in her white lace gown. She was shaking, but this time, it was from joy.
Luca stood beside her. He adjusted his dark blue tie and shot his cuffs, making sure the silver 'DAD' and 'ALWAYS' cufflinks were perfectly visible.
He held out his arm.
“Ready, sweetheart?” he asked softly.
Madison looked up at him, tears filling her eyes. “Thank you, Dad. For everything.”
Luca smiled, kissing her cheek. “I promised you, Maddie. I’m your dad for as long as you want me.”
“Always,” she whispered.
The doors opened.
Luca walked his daughter down the aisle. He didn't cry until he handed her to David at the altar, placing her hand gently into her fiancé’s.
It was a perfect, happy ending. The family was safe. The past was finally put to rest.
Or so I thought.
At the reception that night, I went to the coatroom to retrieve Madison’s shawl.
As I reached for it, I noticed an old, dusty wooden box sitting on the top shelf of the coat rack. It had Madison’s name carved into the lid, but underneath it, barely visible, was another name.
Claire.
I pulled the box down and opened it.
Inside was a birth certificate.
May you like
I pulled it out and read the names of the parents.
My heart completely stopped in my chest.
