Chapter 8 - LEO’S LETTER

I opened the letter at my attorney’s office.

Not alone.

Another lesson learned late.

Leo wrote:

Damon,

Dad is alive.

If that sentence makes you angry enough to stop reading, put this down and come back tomorrow.

I almost smiled.

Leo knew me.

He explained meeting Patrick.

Patrick’s attempted cooperation.

The original organization.

Our grandfather’s role.

Then Leo wrote something unexpected.

I don't want the chair.

Chair meant leadership.

I don't want Marcus choosing which one of us becomes Grandpa with better suits.

My stomach tightened.

Leo had become convinced Marcus was preserving the old structure while pretending to modernize it.

Every reform I introduced ran through him.

Every old relationship I wanted severed somehow became “not yet.”

Leo suspected Marcus feared what would happen if both brothers left criminal operations entirely.

Then:

If I step away and you keep going, he'll make you believe you're protecting everybody.

If you step away too, Marcus loses the only thing he actually owns: our dependence on him.

Still accusation.

Not proof.

The final page concerned Emily.

I know about the baby.

She told me because she is scared.

Do not let Marcus handle security.

I stopped reading.

Emily sat across from me.

“You told Leo not Marcus?”

“Yes.”

“How did Marcus learn?”

“I thought you told him.”

I had.

After Leo reassured me.

I wanted security around Emily.

I went straight to Marcus.

Eight days later, Leo died.

Then the threat.

Then Emily disappeared.

A pattern.

Still not enough.

Patrick gave me more.

Bank transfers showing Marcus funded surveillance around Leo during the final month.

Marcus could claim security.

He probably would.

Then an old audio file.

Leo:

“You keep talking like the family needs Damon.”

Marcus:

“It does.”

Leo:

“What if Damon wants out?”

Marcus:

“Then Damon needs to remember what happens when Rileys leave.”

The recording ended.

I sat still.

“Why didn't Leo give this to me?”

Patrick answered:

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“He was still deciding whether Marcus was warning him or threatening him.”

So was I.