Chapter 4 - The Trap in Chicago
Two days later, Lorenzo returned to Chicago.
Alone.
At least, that was what Dominic believed.
Dominic entered Lorenzo's office shortly after midnight.
Sixty-two years old, silver-haired and impeccably dressed, he carried himself like a beloved uncle rather than a man suspected of murder.
“You found her.”
Lorenzo poured whiskey.
“Yes.”
“And?”
“She lied.”
Dominic smiled faintly.
“I warned you about that girl.”
Lorenzo handed him a glass.
“You warned me about everyone.”
“Usually correctly.”
Lorenzo drank.
“She had documents.”
Dominic's fingers tightened around the glass.
“What kind?”
“Old shipping records.”
A pause.
“Where are they?”
“Safe.”
Dominic's smile vanished.
“And Amelia?”
“Also safe.”
“That sounds sentimental.”
Lorenzo looked at him.
“I spent fourteen days hunting her.”
“Yes.”
“I intend to decide what happens next.”
Dominic leaned forward.
“You're making a mistake.”
“Am I?”
“She humiliated you publicly.”
“So everyone keeps reminding me.”
“Because appearances matter.”
Lorenzo smiled slightly.
“That's something my father used to say.”
Dominic's expression flickered.
There.
Tiny.
But enough.
Lorenzo continued.
“Funny thing. Amelia says my father wanted out.”
Dominic slowly placed his glass down.
“She's lying.”
“She had his letter.”
Silence.
Lorenzo watched him.
“You knew.”
Dominic stood.
“Your father became weak.”
There it was.
Not denial.
Just contempt.
Lorenzo's voice lowered.
“What did you do?”
“What had to be done.”
Lorenzo's hand tightened.
Dominic smiled.
“Don't look so shocked. Vittorio was prepared to throw away everything we'd built.”
“We?”
“I stood beside him for thirty years.”
“And you killed him?”
Dominic realized too late.
His eyes moved around the office.
“Are you recording this?”
Lorenzo smiled without warmth.
“You taught me never to ask a question unless I already knew the answer.”
The door opened.
Marco entered.
Two trusted men stood behind him.
Dominic reached beneath his jacket.
“Don't,” Lorenzo said.
Dominic stopped.
Then another voice came from the doorway.
“It's over.”
Amelia stepped inside.
Dominic stared at her.
“You.”
She didn't look away.
“You should have forgotten me.”
“I tried.”
“You should have stayed gone.”
Lorenzo moved between them.
Dominic laughed.
“So this is what you've become? Protecting the woman who disgraced you?”
Lorenzo looked at Amelia.
Then back at Dominic.
“She didn't disgrace me.”
“She ran from you.”
“She ran from you.”
Dominic's face hardened.
Lorenzo continued.
“You sent the photograph.”
Dominic said nothing.
“You threatened her before the wedding because you knew marriage would bring Thomas close to me.”
Still silence.
“You were afraid he'd tell me the truth.”
Dominic smiled.
“And what are you going to do with the truth, Lorenzo?”
“Something my father should've done eleven years ago.”
“Kill me?”
“No.”
That answer surprised everyone.
Lorenzo stepped aside.
Police lights flashed through the windows.
Dominic stared.
“You called the police?”
“Federal investigators.”
Dominic laughed incredulously.
“You're destroying the family.”
Lorenzo shook his head.
“No.”
He looked at the documents on his desk.
May you like
“I'm ending what destroyed it.”
---
