REBORN AS A MAFIA PATRIARCH

THE JOURNALIST'S LEAD

Richard sat in the Velvet Cage, the letter from his mother still clutched in his hand.

The words echoed in his mind—the apology, the confession, the love that had been buried beneath decades of manipulation and control. She'd loved him. In her own twisted way, she'd loved him. She just hadn't known how to show it.

Sable sat across from him, her face pale and drawn. "Are you okay, Richard?"

Richard looked up, his eyes red-rimmed. "I don't know. I thought I'd feel better after reading this. I thought I'd find closure. But I just feel... empty."

Sable reached across the table and took his hand. "That's okay, Richard. You don't have to feel better right away. Grief takes time."

Richard squeezed her hand. "I know. I just wish I could have known her—the real her. Not the mask she wore, but the woman who wrote this letter."

Sable was silent for a long moment. Then she spoke, her voice soft and reassuring.

"You did know her, Richard. In your own way, you knew her. She was part of you—part of your strength, your determination, your will to survive. And that's something no one can ever take away."

Richard looked at her, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "Thank you, Sable. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Sable smiled. "You'd be lost. But that's okay—I'll always be here to find you."

---

Richard left the Velvet Cage and drove through the city.

The streets were quiet, the night peaceful. The fog had lifted, revealing a clear, star-filled sky. The city was finally at peace—and so, for the first time in weeks, was Richard.

I have allies. I have information. And I have a plan.

I'm going to build something better—something that will protect the innocent, bring order to the chaos, and honor the people I've lost.

Richard pulled into the driveway of the DeLuca mansion and parked the car.

He walked through the halls, his footsteps echoing on the marble floors. The house was quiet, the servants asleep, the family retreating to their private quarters.

He found Nyla in the library, surrounded by stacks of documents and photographs.

"Richard," she said as he entered. "You're back. I was worried about you."

Richard walked to the desk and sat down across from her. "I'm fine, Nyla. I just needed some time to process everything."

Nyla reached out and took his hand. "I understand. I've been doing some digging—looking into the Syndicate's old records. And I found something. Something I think you need to see."

Richard leaned forward. "What is it?"

Nyla slid a document across the desk. "It's a list of all the Project Phoenix subjects—the ones who survived the process. And there's a name on this list that I don't recognize."

Richard picked up the document and scanned it. His eyes stopped on a name he didn't recognize—a name that made his blood run cold.

Subject 010: Marcus Marchetti

Richard stared at the name, his mind racing. "Marcus Marchetti? Vance's father?"

Nyla nodded slowly. "That's what I think. He was part of Project Phoenix—just like Marcus and Viktor. And he's been hiding it for years."

Richard felt a chill run down his spine. "Vance doesn't know. He can't know."

Nyla met his gaze. "I think he does. I think he's known for a long time—and he's been trying to protect his father."

Richard was silent for a long moment. Then he spoke, his voice quiet but firm.

"We need to talk to Vance. We need to find out what he knows."

---

The meeting was held in the Velvet Cage, in the private room Sable had set aside for such occasions.

Vance arrived alone, his face pale and drawn. He sat down across from Richard, his hands clasped tightly in his lap.

"Richard," he said. "I heard you wanted to see me."

Richard slid the document across the table. "I found this in the Syndicate's old records. It's a list of all the Project Phoenix subjects—and your father's name is on it."

Vance stared at the document, his face going white. For a long moment, he didn't speak. Then he let out a long, shuddering breath.

"I know," he said quietly. "I've known for a long time."

Richard leaned forward. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Vance met his gaze. "Because I was trying to protect him, Richard. He's my father. I couldn't betray him."

Richard was silent for a long moment. Then he spoke, his voice quiet but firm.

"I understand, Vance. I don't agree with what you did—but I understand."

Vance looked up at him, his eyes filled with hope. "You're not angry?"

Richard shook his head. "I'm not angry. I'm just disappointed. But we're going to get through this—together."

Vance nodded slowly. "Thank you, Richard. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Richard reached out and took his hand. "You'd be lost. But that's okay—I'll always be here to find you."

---

Richard stood at the window of the Velvet Cage, looking out at the city.

The sun was rising, casting pale gold light across the streets. The city was waking up, the streets filling with people going about their lives.

I have allies. I have information. And I have a plan.

I'm going to build something better—something that will protect the innocent, bring order to the chaos, and honor the people I've lost.

Richard turned from the window and walked to the door.

The work was just beginning.