Chapter 6 - SECRETS IN THE CELLARThe underground holding cells beneath the Moretti estate were built for men who crossed lines from which there was no return. Stone walls, iron bars, and absolute silence.
Grant sat huddled in the corner of the damp cell, shivering violently. The bravado that had fueled his abusive marriage was entirely gone, replaced by the crushing realization that he had crossed paths with a syndicate boss who viewed human life as a disposable commodity.
Heavy footsteps echoed down the stone corridor. Matteo Moretti approached the cell, accompanied by Leo, who carried a heavy steel briefcase.
"Please," Grant whimpered, dragging himself toward the bars. "I didn't mean any trouble. I just wanted my wife back. She took my money, she—"
"Your wife," Matteo interrupted, his voice cutting through the damp air like a razor, "is currently under my protection. Which means every breath you take right now is an insult to my hospitality."
Matteo gestured to Leo, who unlocked the cell door and tossed a thick manila folder onto the floor in front of Grant.
"Open it," Matteo commanded.
Grant fumbled with the folder, his fingers shaking as he flipped it open. Inside were financial records, text transcripts, and photographs—not of Clara, but of Grant. Every illicit gambling debt, every extortion scheme, and every hidden bank account Grant owned was meticulously documented in high definition.
"You’ve been heavily in debt to the Eastern Syndicate for six months, Grant," Matteo said, leaning against the stone doorframe. "You tracked Clara across three states not because you missed her, but because you needed a scapegoat for your embezzlement charges, or worse, collateral to pay off your bookies."
Grant swallowed hard, sweat beading on his forehead. "That's... that's not true—"
"Everything is true," Matteo cut him off coldly. "Here is your choice. You sign these custody renunciation and divorce papers, relinquishing all legal ties to Clara Hayes permanently. Then, you walk out of my gates, board a one-way cargo ship to South America arranged by my men, and you never step foot in this country again."
"And if I don't?" Grant whispered.
May you like
Matteo smiled, but there was no warmth in his eyes. "Then you won't leave the cellar. Bruno has been on a very strict diet lately, and he loves raw meat."
Without a moment of hesitation, Grant grabbed the pen Leo offered him and signed his name frantically across every dotted line.
