Chapter 13 - VINCENT WITHOUT THE MYTH
Vincent invited me to lunch at one of his legitimate restaurants.
Public.
Daylight.
I brought Leah.
He did not complain.
His employees were nervous around him.
That bothered me.
A server dropped a fork.
Apologized three times.
Vincent barely reacted.
Still, fear lingered.
After lunch I asked:
“Do people think you’ll hurt them if they make mistakes?”
He looked annoyed.
“Probably.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Yes.”
“Enough to change anything?”
He stared.
“You sound like Sofia.”
“Good.”
Vincent later hired an outside HR compliance firm for his legitimate companies.
Not because I transformed a crime boss with one lunch.
Because federal scrutiny, trust reform, and employee concerns already pushed him.
I was one more voice.
He also began separating himself from family members involved in clearly unlawful enterprises.
No details.
No tactical escape.
Just lawyers.
Asset separation.
Cooperation where required.
His life was still dangerous.
I did not become part of it.
Our relationship stayed:
Coffee.
Occasional meals.
Texts.
He sent too many gifts.
I returned most.
One expensive watch came back with a note:
I am a waitress. Where would I wear this?
He responded:
Dinner?
I wrote:
Buy me tacos.
He did.
No bodyguards inside.
May you like
Marcus waited outside.
Compromise.
