Salvatore answered:
"Because the organization should never have threatened him in the first place."
Carlo's face hardened.
"You're changing the rules."
Salvatore nodded.
"Yes."
The room fell silent.
Salvatore continued.
"The rules that allowed us to survive are not an excuse to become cruel. If our people believe they can use my name to take money from families, then I have failed as a leader."
Carlo looked around the room.
"And what happens when the younger men stop respecting you?"
Salvatore leaned back.
"Then I will have to earn their respect."
Carlo said nothing.
Salvatore stood.
"Every business will be repaid. Every false agreement will be canceled. If anyone disagrees, they may leave."
The meeting ended without another word.
But Salvatore knew that some of the men would not accept the decision quietly.
Chapter 9: The Baker's Warning
Antonio heard about the dispute from Maria.
"People are saying the Don is having trouble with his own men."
Antonio continued kneading dough.
"People say many things."
"Are you worried?"
Antonio stopped.
"Of course."
Maria looked surprised.
"You are?"
Antonio wiped his hands.
"Salvatore is a complicated man. He has spent a long time living in a world where every decision creates consequences."
Maria lowered her voice.
"Do you think Vincent will come back?"
Antonio considered the question.
"I think Vincent will have to decide who he wants to become."
Maria frowned.
"And if he decides badly?"
Antonio looked toward the window.
"Then someone else will have to decide what to do next."
That afternoon, Salvatore visited the bakery.
Antonio was waiting.
"You have a problem," the baker said.
Salvatore smiled faintly.
"Good afternoon to you too."
"Your men are arguing."
"Yes."
"Your young associates are angry."
"Some of them."
"And the businesses are afraid."
Salvatore sat down.
"I know."
Antonio placed a cup of coffee in front of him.
"Then don't make them pay for your problems."
Salvatore looked at him.
"I won't."
Antonio held his gaze.
"Promise me."
Salvatore nodded.
"I promise."
Chapter 10: Vincent Returns
Vincent spent the following week visiting the businesses he had pressured.
At first, he hated every minute.
He hated the way people stared at him.
He hated the silence when he entered a shop.
He hated having to explain himself.
At the tailor shop, an elderly man named Mr. Kaplan refused to accept his apology.
"You threatened my grandson," Kaplan said.
Vincent lowered his eyes.
"I know."
"You told him he would regret refusing to pay."
"I know."
Kaplan looked at him.
"Then why should I believe you now?"
Vincent had no answer.
He placed the repayment envelope on the counter.
"You don't have to believe me. But this is your money."
Kaplan stared at the envelope.
After a long moment, he took it.
"Leave."
Vincent nodded.
He did not argue.
He walked out.
At the grocery store, Frank Russo accepted the repayment but refused to shake his hand.
At the flower shop, the owner told him never to return.
Vincent accepted every response.
For the first time, he began to understand that an apology was not a transaction.
It did not purchase forgiveness.
It was simply the beginning of responsibility.
That evening, he returned to the bakery.
Antonio was cleaning the counter.
"Mr. Bellini?"
Antonio looked up.
"Vincent."
"I returned the payments."
"Good."
"Some people won't forgive me."
Antonio continued wiping the counter.
"That is their choice."
Vincent nodded.
"I know."
Antonio looked at him.
"Do you?"
Vincent took a breath.
"I think I'm beginning to."
Antonio placed the cloth down.
"Then keep going."
Chapter 11: The Man Vincent Wanted to Be
Vincent had not always been cruel.
When he was a child, he had been quiet.
His father had worked long hours at a warehouse. His mother had cleaned offices downtown. They had struggled, but they had taught him to be polite and honest.
Then his father was injured at work.
The company refused to cover all the medical costs.
The family fell behind on rent.
Vincent watched his parents become exhausted by bills they could never seem to finish paying.
He began to believe that honesty was a luxury for people who could afford it.
At seventeen, he met a young man who worked for the Moretti organization.
The man wore expensive clothes.
He drove a beautiful car.
People treated him with respect—or what Vincent thought was respect.
He offered Vincent a job.
At first, the work seemed harmless.
Then it became more complicated.
Vincent told himself he was helping his family.
He bought his mother a better apartment.
He paid off his father's medical bills.
He convinced himself that the ends justified the means.
But every year, he became more comfortable with intimidation.
He stopped noticing when people were afraid of him.
He began to enjoy it.
Now, after seeing Antonio stand calmly against him, Vincent wondered whether he had mistaken his own fear for strength.
He returned to the bakery the next morning.
Antonio was preparing dough.
"Can I ask you something?"
Antonio nodded.
"Go ahead."
"How do you stay calm when someone threatens you?"
Antonio considered the question.
"I don't always stay calm."
Vincent looked surprised.
Antonio continued.
"I'm afraid sometimes. But fear doesn't have to make the decision for me."
Vincent looked toward the photograph of Sofia.