Alle Kapitel von A Vow Written in Blood : Kapitel 21 – Kapitel 30

Luca Romano sat behind reinforced glass inside Dante’s estate. His injured leg had been treated, and someone had provided clean clothes. Even imprisoned, he carried himself like a patriarch holding court. Alessia entered with Dante beside her. Luca noticed their joined hands. “So the performance became real.” Alessia released Dante—not because of her father’s observation, but because she wanted both hands free. “Did you kill my mother?” Luca’s faint smile disappeared. He looked at Dante. “Is that what he told you?” “Hale told me.” “And you believe a corrupt coward?” “I believe you’re capable of murdering your own children.” “You know nothing about Sofia.” “Then tell me.” Luca leaned back. “Your mother intended to destroy this family.” “She wanted to leave you.” “She was confused by her treatment.” “She wanted to take me with her.” “You were my daughter.” “I was hers too.” Luca’s expression hardened. “She planned to give the ledger to federal investigators. Gabriel

“Enzo, the explosives are active,” Dante said into his concealed earpiece. “Can you stop them?” “Viktor has the control case.” “Find him. Gabriel and I will reach the hostages.” The ship’s alarms began screaming. Dante kicked the fallen guard’s weapon towards Alessia. She caught it and checked the chamber. “Stay behind me,” he said. “We don’t have time for this argument.” They entered the corridor as Viktor’s soldiers opened fire from the stairwell. Dante returned two controlled shots. One man fell, while the other retreated towards the upper deck. Fifty seconds. Alessia followed Dante through the narrow passage. “Viktor went below,” she said. “You saw him?” “The cabin door led towards the engine room.” Dante fired through a locked panel and forced it open. Metal steps descended into the ship. They heard Gabriel through the earpiece. “We’ve reached the hostages. The vests require electronic disarming.” “Keep them away from the fuel storage,” Dante ordered. “If the v

The Romano estate remained under federal control. Investigators occupied the main house, photographing evidence and removing boxes from Luca’s study. Yellow tape crossed the eastern terrace where Alessia and Dante had spoken their vows only days earlier. Alessia entered the family chapel with Gabriel and Caterina. Dante had not come. He returned to the Moretti estate after leaving the ship and locked himself inside his study. Alessia had almost followed him. Instead, she chose the truth. The chapel smelled of dust and old incense. Morning light passed through stained-glass windows, painting fractured colours across the floor. Gabriel approached the altar. “Our mother showed me this hiding place shortly before she became ill.” He removed a marble panel beneath the statue of the Virgin Mary. A waterproof container rested inside the hollow space. Alessia lifted it out. The final ledger was smaller than Sofia’s original book. Gabriel had filled every page with payment dates, ac

Isabella had not been abducted. She had gone willingly. Security footage showed her leaving through the eastern gate ten minutes before Luca’s escape. She dismissed her guards, entered a waiting vehicle and disappeared. “Why would she meet him?” Alessia asked. Enzo paced inside the federal command room. “Our mother despises Luca.” “Then he has something she wants.” Dante studied the photograph left inside the transport vehicle. The reverse contained one line: Sofia’s death created a debt. Isabella will pay it. Dante’s face became cold. “Luca blames my mother for Sofia.” “Why?” Alessia asked. Isabella’s voice came from the doorway. Everyone turned. She entered calmly with two federal officers behind her. Enzo crossed the room. “Where were you?” “Correcting an old mistake.” Dante examined her for injuries. “Where is Luca?” “Beyond your reach for the moment.” “You helped him escape.” “No. I arranged his capture.” Evelyn stepped forward. “Two officers were killed.” “

Dante Moretti entered federal court three weeks later. The steps outside were crowded with reporters, photographers and families named in Sofia’s ledger. Some called Dante a murderer. Others praised him for exposing the corruption that had infected the city for decades. Alessia walked beside him. She wore black, not to mourn an ending but to honour the woman whose evidence had made a new beginning possible. Dante’s hand found hers. “You don’t have to enter with me,” he said. “We’ve discussed this.” “I’m offering you one final opportunity to escape.” “Are you afraid?” “Yes.” The answer surprised her. “Of prison?” “Of what it will do to you if I don’t return.” Alessia stopped beneath the courthouse columns. “Don’t make me responsible for the consequences of your choices.” “I didn’t mean—” “I know. But you don’t protect me by imagining my life ends without you. If you’re imprisoned, I’ll survive. I’ll run our legitimate businesses, help Gabriel rebuild and visit often eno