Chapter 7 - The Mafia Boss Who Finally Learned the Truth|
Luca Moretti had spent his entire adult life believing his father was the strongest man he'd ever known.
Vittorio Moretti had built an empire from warehouses, shipping contracts, and dangerous alliances.
He had taught Luca to negotiate.
To fight.
To never show weakness.
And to protect family above everything else.
But Vittorio had also taught his sons something darker.
That loyalty meant obedience.
That questions were dangerous.
And that some secrets had to be buried permanently.
Now Luca sat in his father's old study holding a photograph of James Brooks.
Beside him stood Antonio.
"Natalie says Vanessa claims Vittorio is alive," Antonio said.
Luca stared at the photograph.
"Vanessa lies."
"Often."
"But someone may have given her that information."
Antonio nodded.
"Agreed."
Luca looked toward the window.
Five years earlier, Vittorio had supposedly died from complications after a stroke.
Luca had attended the hospital.
Spoken to doctors.
Signed paperwork.
But he hadn't been present when the body was prepared for burial.
Matteo had already disappeared by then.
And now evidence was emerging that both men might have survived events everyone believed had killed them.
Luca closed his eyes.
"What if everything we were told was a lie?"
Antonio said nothing.
A knock interrupted them.
I stood in the doorway.
Luca immediately rose.
"Natalie."
I looked at him.
"May I come in?"
"Of course."
I entered holding the photograph.
My hands were still trembling.
"Vanessa says your father is alive."
Luca nodded.
"I know."
I stared.
"You believe her?"
"I believe we need evidence."
I swallowed.
"She threatened my father."
His expression hardened.
"Tell me exactly what she said."
I repeated the conversation.
Every word.
When I finished, Luca looked furious.
But he didn't shout.
He didn't threaten anyone in front of me.
He simply picked up his phone and contacted his attorney.
"Document the threat. Preserve the photograph and envelope. I want the authorities informed."
I watched him.
For years, I'd seen Luca solve problems with power.
Now he was choosing something different.
Facts.
Evidence.
The law.
He looked at me.
"Natalie, you shouldn't have to deal with this alone."
I laughed bitterly.
"I've been dealing with things alone for most of my life."
His expression softened.
"I know."
I looked away.
Then he asked:
"Would you consider taking some time away from work?"
My stomach tightened.
"I can't afford unpaid leave."
"It would be paid."
I stared.
"Mr. Moretti—"
"Luca."
I froze.
"What?"
He gave a small smile.
"You've worked here four years. You can call me Luca."
My heart raced.
For some reason, hearing him say that felt more intimate than it should have.
I looked down.
"Okay."
He continued.
"And if you'd rather leave the estate entirely while this is investigated, we'll arrange your wages and references fairly."
I looked up.
"You're not firing me?"
His expression changed.
"Of course not."
I swallowed.
"Vanessa threatened to."
"Vanessa doesn't work here."
A small smile touched my lips.
Luca noticed.
For a moment, we looked at each other.
Then Antonio's phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
"What?"
A pause.
"Where?"
He looked toward Luca.
"Boss, we found a possible lead on Matteo."
Luca went still.
"What?"
"A man matching his description was seen leaving the hotel where James Brooks's account was accessed."
My heart stopped.
"My father?"
Antonio nodded.
"Possibly."
Luca grabbed his jacket.
"I'm going."
I immediately stepped forward.
"So am I."
He turned.
"Natalie—"
"My father might be there."
Luca hesitated.
Then nodded.
"All right."
We drove to the hotel with Antonio and two security officers.
The building stood near the river.
Old brick.
Narrow windows.
A faded sign above the entrance.
I stared at it.
My father might have walked through those doors yesterday.
The thought made my chest ache.
Inside, the manager reluctantly agreed to speak with the investigators accompanying us.
The hotel records showed that a man registered under the name James Brooks had checked out that morning.
My heart sank.
"Where did he go?"
The manager shook his head.
"I don't know."
Luca asked:
"Did anyone visit him?"
The manager hesitated.
"Two men."
My pulse quickened.
"Do you have photographs?"
The manager nodded.
Security footage appeared on a monitor.
The first man was older.
Gray-haired.
My father.
I covered my mouth.
"Dad."
Then another man entered the frame.
Dark hair.
A familiar Moretti face.
Matteo.
Luca gripped the counter.
"That's him."
The manager clicked to the next recording.
A third man entered the lobby.
Tall.
Silver-haired.
Using a cane.
Luca stopped breathing.
Antonio whispered:
"Boss..."
I looked at Luca.
His face had gone completely pale.
"Who is he?"
Luca stared at the screen.
May you like
Then whispered:
"My father."
