Chapter 7 - The True Heir
|
Luca pulled the multi-page laboratory report from the envelope and scanned the text under the bedside lamp.
His eyes locked on the bold black letters printed at the bottom of the final page.
Probability of Paternity: 99.998%.
Luca let out a long, shuddering breath that sounded like a prayer.
He turned the paper toward me so I could see the official embossed seal of the genetics institute.
"It's official," Luca whispered. "Oliver is Matteo's son."
"He is the rightful blood heir of the Moretti family."
Marco stepped forward, lowering his head in a deep, formal sign of respect toward the bed where Oliver slept.
"Long live the bloodline," Marco said solemnly.
"Marco, assemble the captains in the grand hall at eight in the morning," Luca commanded, stepping back into his role as boss.
"Every single captain, soldier, and lieutenant must be present."
"I want the entire family to witness who this boy is."
"What about Salvatore Bellini?" Marco asked. "Our surveillance teams report a convoy of black SUVs heading toward the gates."
"Salvatore is coming to demand his daughter's release."
Luca's eyes flashed with a cold, predatory light.
"Let him come," Luca replied. "Tell the gate guards to let Salvatore enter alone with two bodyguards."
"The rest of his men stay outside on the public road."
"If any of them draws a weapon, shoot them down."
Marco nodded and hurried out of the suite to carry out the orders.
I stood up, trembling with anxiety.
"Luca, you're starting a war," I said, catching his sleeve. "If this turns into a bloodbath, Oliver will never have the normal life Matteo wanted for him."
Luca gently placed his warm hand over mine.
"Claire, look at me," he said firmly.
"Matteo tried to give you a normal life, and the monsters came for you anyway."
"In this city, the only way to protect the people you love is to destroy the monsters completely."
"I am not going to let Oliver grow up hiding in the shadows of cheap apartments, terrified of every knock on the door."
"He will walk through this city with his head held high, knowing that no man on earth dares to lay a hand on him."
His words carried a fierce, absolute conviction that I had never heard in anyone's voice before.
For eight months, I had seen Luca Moretti as an untouchable prince of crime—a man to be feared and avoided.
Now, looking into his eyes, I saw a fiercely loyal brother ready to burn down the world to avenge his family.
"What do you want me to do?" I asked quietly.
Luca looked at the simple maid's uniform hanging in the closet.
"Take off that uniform, Claire," he said with absolute respect.
"You will never wear an apron again."
"Mrs. Gable has brought dresses that belonged to my mother."
May you like
"Tomorrow morning, you and Oliver will stand beside me as family."
"And Chicago will know that anyone who threatens you answers to the entire Moretti army."
