Chapter 4 - The Clean Up and the TruthSilence fell over Rosy's Diner once more, broken only by the quiet hum of the refrigerator and Dominick’s groaning on the floor.
The elderly couple near the window sat paralyzed in shock.
I turned toward Marco. "Secure the perimeter. Have the medical transport take these three to the private holding facility in Alpine. No police calls. Offer the manager and the guests twenty thousand dollars each for their inconvenience and secure their silence."
"Understood, Boss," Marco nodded grimly, gesturing for his men to clear the floorboards.
Within ninety seconds, the three intruders were dragged out through the rear service exit, the floorboards wiped clean, and the front door locked from the inside.
I walked down the central aisle, pushing open the stainless-steel kitchen doors.
Inside, sitting on a stainless-steel prep counter beside a stack of fresh bread, was Luca.
Emily stood in front of him, holding a small wooden spatula like a weapon, her body positioned squarely between my son and the door. Her hands were shaking violently, her eyes wide with terror, but she hadn't moved an inch away from him.
When she saw me walk in, holding my clean pistol at low-ready, she let out a long, ragged gasp.
"They're gone, Emily," I said softly, holstering my sidearm beneath my jacket. "The diner is safe."
Emily lowered the wooden spatula, her chest heaving as she backed against the prep sink. "Who... who are you people...?! What was that?!"
I stepped forward, stopping three feet from her.
"My name is Vincent Romano," I revealed flatly, looking into her hazel eyes with total, unvarnished honesty. "And three minutes ago, those men tried to use my son to blackmail my family."
Emily looked at Luca, who was sitting quietly on the counter, holding his green crayon, gazing at her with large, trusting brown eyes.
"He... he hasn't spoken in two years," I added, my voice softening into a quiet, emotional rumble. "My wife died in a fire two years ago. Doctors told me he might never speak again. But when you gave him that green crayon... he said his first words."
May you like
Emily’s breath caught in her throat. She looked down at Luca, her eyes filling with sudden, genuine tears.
"Green... like Mom's garden," Luca whispered rasply from the counter, holding the broken crayon out toward Emily.
Related Stories
