THE MAFIA GRANDFATHER FOUND HIS LITTLE GRANDSON CRYING IN THE SNOW—THEN A WOODEN TOY PLANE EXPOSED THE FAMILY SECRET EVERYONE TRIED TO BURY

Chapter 16 - The Price of the Caruso Name

The financial investigation altered the Caruso businesses permanently. Directors were replaced, accounts were audited, and several contracts were suspended. Some legitimate employees worried about their jobs; others feared being blamed for decisions made above them.

Angelo spoke with the workforce at a meeting organized by the new independent leadership.

"You deserve the truth about your paychecks and your futures," he said. "The company has obligations to you. We're working through them with outside oversight."

He refused to promise that everything would remain unchanged. Some divisions would close. Assets might be sold. His own role would diminish substantially.

A reporter later described the once-feared boss as losing his empire.

Angelo read the headline and set the paper aside.

He'd spent too much of his life treating an empire as a substitute for a family.

At home, the losses felt different. He had more time to learn the names of Matteo's classmates. More time to visit Gabriel's grave with Sofia. More time to admit how the household had been distorted by rules designed for loyalty rather than love.

Rafael, who had worked for Angelo for twenty years, announced he was leaving private security to start a legitimate risk-management firm.

"You should," Angelo said.

Rafael looked surprised. "I thought you'd be angry."

"I used to be angry whenever somebody wanted a life outside my control. I'm trying not to do that anymore."

They shook hands.

Later Matteo asked whether they were poor now.

Angelo nearly smiled. "No, little bird. We're fortunate. But even if we had less, it wouldn't make us worth less."

"Aunt Celia said people like us have to be important."

"Being kind is more important than looking important," Sofia said from the kitchen.

Matteo considered that. "Then Ms. Alvarez is very important. She helps everybody with their shoes."

Angelo laughed.

"She certainly is."

That night, the family made dinner together. Sofia burned the garlic bread, Angelo oversalted the pasta, and Matteo declared himself the only competent cook in the house.