Chapter 14 - Richard’s Final Bargain
Damian's surrender shocked Chicago.
His attorneys called it reckless.
His associates called it betrayal.
Beatrice understood.
For the first time, Damian was choosing what came after power.
Richard offered prosecutors a deal.
Full testimony against Cross in exchange for reduced punishment.
Damian did not oppose it.
Clara did.
“He destroyed our lives.”
“Yes.”
“He murdered Dad.”
“Yes.”
“And you're letting him bargain?”
“I'm letting him testify.”
Clara cried.
Damian held her.
“Justice isn't the same thing as revenge.”
It was something the old Damian might never have said.
Beatrice heard the difference.
Cross's network began collapsing.
Officials resigned.
Accounts were frozen.
Investigations spread.
Then Richard testified publicly.
He admitted everything.
Vittorio's murder.
Clara's staged death.
The war.
Margaret's poisoning.
Damian sat in court listening.
Beatrice sat behind him.
When Richard described Margaret's death, Bea closed her eyes.
Damian reached backward without looking.
His hand found hers.
She held it.
Richard finished.
Cross was arrested.
The conspiracy that had survived fifteen years finally broke.
But Damian still faced charges connected to his own past.
Bea never asked him to run.
He never asked her to wait.
She did anyway.
Months passed.
The Costello organization changed.
Illegal operations closed.
Businesses were sold.
Victims' families received compensation from a fund created jointly by the Costello and Pendleton estates.
Clara began rebuilding her life with Leo.
And Beatrice took control of the forty million dollars Vittorio had left her.
She used the first portion to create the Margaret Hayes Foundation for families harmed by organized violence.
When Damian heard, he smiled.
“Your mother would like that.”
“I hope so.”
His trial approached.
For the first time, neither knew whether they would be separated for years.
The night before sentencing, Damian called Bea.
“Do you regret opening my bedroom door?”
She laughed softly.
“Every day.”
“Beatrice.”
“No.”
She became serious.
“I regret what happened to my mother. I regret what happened to Clara. I regret everyone who died.”
Pause.
“But I don't regret finding you.”
Damian closed his eyes.
“Neither do I.”
May you like
The next morning, the judge entered.
And the courtroom rose.
