The Mafia's Undoing-Chapter 180: Picking Up the Pieces

Thomas’s funeral was small and private; the family only invited.

The federal authorities released his body after the investigation, and no charges were filed against Tony. Technically, he didn’t do anything illegal. Just led a mission that got his father killed.

The ceremony was at a small chapel. Susan arranged everything; she made it dignified and respectful.

Even for a man who spent most of his life as a criminal, at least he tried doing good in the latter part of his life.

Standing at the front. Tony was beside me, Rose in my arms, who was too young to understand.

Bella was also here. Her eyes were red as she was barely holding together. She had lost David days ago, and now Thomas too.

Susan, Elliot, Jeff, Luca... it was only a small group, but everyone who mattered was there.

Tony stepped forward and gave the eulogy.

"My father was complicated. He held criminal dealings and was violent, built an empire on blood and suffering."

His voice broke, and he paused, then continued.

"But at the end, he tried to save us and changed for the better. He escaped prison not to run, but to warn us and to protect his family. He died covering our escape. He died protecting his son."

Tears were streaming down his face now.

"That’s how I’ll remember him. Not as Thomas Marvin, the crime lord or the Kingpin. But as my father, who loved me in his own broken way and who died trying to make things right."

He couldn’t continue. So he stepped back and leaned into the pew.

I held onto him. This was the first time I’ve seen him truly cry like this; he was utterly broken.

Rose touched his face. "Dada sad?"

"Yes, baby. Dada’s very sad." I stroked her cheeks.

After the service, we returned to the safe house. It was a current one and would probably move by tomorrow.

Tony was in the bedroom. The door closed and was processing alone.

I wanted to go to him, but I knew he needed space and needed to grieve.

Rose was playing with her blocks. She was oblivious to everything, building her towers and knocking them down. She was laughing and being carefree; this was everything we’re fighting for.

Later that night. Tony emerged, his eyes were red and exhausted.

"I got him killed. I walked right into Dante’s trap. My dad died for nothing."

"He made his own choices. He chose to help you and to sacrifice himself for the team."

"He should be in prison. Paying for his crimes, not dead on some island in Venice."

"He paid the ultimate price, Tony. That counts for something."

He was not listening, the grief manifesting as rage.

"Dante’s still out there, laughing and winning while my father died, and he’s still winning."

I visited Bella the next day in her apartment. She was barely functioning.

David’s funeral was earlier this same week. She had lost her boyfriend and father figure within days.

She’s taken leave from Marvin Industries as she couldn’t keep up with work or focus. She was barely eating.

"How do you do it?" she asked, her voice hollow. "Keep going when everything’s falling apart?"

"I have Rose. She’s my reason to get up every day. You’ll find yours, Bella."

"What if I don’t? What if this is it and I’m just... broken?"

"You’re not broken. You’re grieving, there’s a difference."

But she didn’t look convinced. She already looked defeated and lost.

Timothy held an FBI briefing via video regarding updates on Dante.

"Our international search is expanding. Interpol, Europol, and CIA. Everyone’s cooperating, but he’s vanished completely."

"How does someone just vanish in today’s world?" Tony demanded.

"He has resources and connections. Dante’s spent decades building escape routes, safe houses, and fake identities. He planned for this scenario."

"So we just wait, hide, and let him hunt us?"

"We’re working every lead. Financial transactions, known associates, and his travel patterns. But Tony, Katherine - you need to be patient, this takes time."

Patient. I’m already tired of being patient.

We were still in hiding, staying in different safe houses every few days. It was exhausting.

Rose was confused and didn’t understand why we kept moving.

"Home? Dada, home?"

It broke my heart every time she asked him. "Soon, baby. We’ll go home soon."

But I didn’t believe it, and I don’t know if we’ll ever have "home" again.

Our marriage was straining under the pressure.

Tony was distant and consumed by grief and rage. He was already planning revenge scenarios.

I tried to reach him. "Talk to me. Please."

"What’s there to say? My father’s dead, Dante’s winning, and we’re hiding like cowards."

"We’re surviving and protecting Rose. That’s not cowardice."

"Feels like it."

The argument escalated, and we’re both exhausted and traumatized, saying things we didn’t mean.

"I’m doing my best here! Raising our daughter in safe houses and living in constant fear!"

"I know. I’m sorry. I don’t know how to fix this."

Neither did I. That’s the problem.

We had an emergency couples therapy with Dr. Nina Cole. via video call with both of us present.

"You’re both traumatized and grieving. It’s completely normal."

"Nothing about this is normal," Tony muttered.

"No, but your responses are. You’re not broken, you’re only processing impossible circumstances in the healthiest way you can."

I asked the question that had been weighing on me. "How do we keep our marriage together when everything’s falling apart around us?"

"By communicating and supporting each other. Not letting grief drive wedges between you. You’re a team, you need to remember that."

That night, when Tony and I were alone, and Rose was finally asleep after fighting bedtime.

"I’m sorry. For being distant and for shutting you out." Tony admitted.

"I’m sorry too. For not being patient with your grief."

"My father died because of the choices I made. It was because I led that mission, and I know I have to live with that."

"Your father died because of the choices he made. It’s a lifetime of choices, Tony. You didn’t kill him, Dante did."

We made love slowly and gently, the grief-tinged but connecting.

It was not desperate but was needed, affirming that we’re still us.

"I can’t lose you, too," Tony whispered against my skin. "You and Rose are all I have left."

"You’re not losing me. We’re in this together. Always have been and always will be."

Amidst the chaos, Rose was growing.

She was fifteen months old now. Walking confidently and talking more every day.

"Mama. Dada. Home. Rose. Up. More."

They were simple words, but miraculous, normal childhood development in completely abnormal circumstances.

I clung to the normalcy of reading to her, playing, and singing lullabies.

"She won’t remember this," Tony observed one evening. "The hiding, the fear, and the constant moving."

"I hope not, but we’ll remember. And someday, we’ll tell her. When she’s old enough to understand."

It’s been weeks since Venice. When Thomas died, Dante escaped.

There was no contact, no threats, and no attacks.

Just complete silence.

"Why is he so quiet?" I asked Timothy during a briefing.

"He’s planning and regrouping. Dante’s patient, he’ll strike when we’re most vulnerable."

"So we just wait for the next attack?"

"We prepare, stay vigilant, and hope we find him first."

Hmmm, this hope was so fragile.

The FBI’s breakthrough finally came.

His financial transaction traced, Dante had accessed an offshore account.

The location ping was New York City. He’s back.

"When?" Tony demanded immediately.

"Three days ago. He used the account to transfer funds, and now we’re tracking where it went."

"He’s here in New York. Close to us."

My fear was returning in full force. "He’s hunting us and getting closer."

A family meeting was later held via video conference, and everyone was involved in the decision.

Bella started. "I want him dead. For David, for Thomas, and for every person he’s hurt."

"The FBI will catch him eventually. We have to trust the system." Susan remarked

Elliot finally spoke up, ever as logical. "Statistically, Dante will make a mistake. Everyone does eventually."

I spoke up. "How many people will die before he makes that mistake?"

Tony stood. "We can’t wait anymore. We have to draw him out and force his hand."

The idea came to me as I was speaking.

"We make ourselves visible, in public and vulnerable."

Tony immediately rejected it. "Absolutely not. The last time we tried that, Rose was kidnapped."

"Last time, we didn’t control the variables. This time, we do so. We choose the location and the security. Everything."

"What are you proposing?"

"A Marvin Ventures event. An Investor gala being publicly announced. The FBI will be everywhere while we draw Dante out on our terms."

"And if he doesn’t take the bait?"

"Then we keep trying. But Tony, we can’t keep hiding forever. Rose deserves better than this life."

Tony was silent, thinking, then finally agreed.

"If we do this, we do so with maximum security. FBI tactical teams and Luca’s entire team. Everything we have."

"Agreed."

"And Rose stays hidden, protected and far away from the event."

"Obviously."

"Then we do it. We end this once and for all."

The planning began immediately.

Marvin Ventures investor gala was two weeks away in a grand Manhattan hotel.

The public announcement was made through a press coverage and had the industry buzzing.

It was a perfect bait for Dante, which would be irresistible.

Katherine and Tony are in public, visible and vulnerable.

We trained for it by holding security briefings, practicing real-life scenarios, and developing contingencies.

Also saying goodbye to Rose, just in case.

She didn’t understand why we’re emotional; she just hugged us. "Mama! Dada!"

The night before the event, Tony and I were alone. Rose was with Susan in a secure location.

We made love desperately and intensely, possibly the last time.

"If something happens tomorrow-" I started.

"Nothing will happen. We’ll catch him and end this nightmare." Tony said as he reigned, kissed my shoulder.

"But if something does-"

"Then know I love you. Always have and always will. You made my life worth living, Katherine. You and Rose. You’re everything to me."

"I love you too. More than I can ever say."

We held each other, connected, and thought it might be our last night together.

The morning of the event, I dressed in a red dress. The statement was bold and felt like armor.

Tony was in his suit, looking professional, dangerous, and ready.

Rose was still with Susan at a secure location in a different city entirely.

"Mama go?" Rose asked over video call.

"Mama comes back, baby. I promise."

I hoped with everything I had that it was true.

Timothy called urgently.

"We have a problem. Dante sent a message, and it’s directly to the event venue. He knows about the trap."

I stopped in my tracks. "What does the message say?"

Timothy read it. "I accept your invitation. See you tonight. One of us won’t leave alive. -D"

Tony and I looked at each other.

Dante was coming tonight.

For a final confrontation.

One way or another, this ends.