Chapter 6 - The Betrayal Inside Moretti’s House
Carlo Moretti entered without removing his coat.
He was sixty-four.
Silver hair.
Perfect posture.
The man who taught me to drive.
The man who stood beside my father’s coffin.
He looked at me.
Then Marco.
Then Maria.
“So.”
He sighed.
“We're doing this.”
I placed Miguel’s files on the table.
“You stole from me.”
Carlo shrugged.
“Money comes and goes.”
“You had Miguel killed.”
Maria stiffened.
Carlo looked at her.
“I didn't order his death.”
“You threatened my daughter.”
“I told Bellini to scare Miguel.”
“He died.”
“Bellini exceeded instructions.”
Maria stepped forward.
“You knew my husband had a heart condition.”
Carlo said nothing.
Her face crumpled.
“You knew.”
“He wasn't supposed to die.”
“But he did.”
“Yes.”
“And then you threatened Sophia.”
Carlo's expression remained cold.
“Loose ends are dangerous.”
Marco moved.
I stopped him with one hand.
Carlo smiled.
“There he is. Loyal Marco.”
Marco’s voice was low.
“Don't say her name again.”
Carlo looked amused.
“You're in love with the widow.”
Maria looked at Marco.
Marco didn't deny it.
Carlo laughed.
“How predictable.”
I stood.
“You're finished.”
His smile disappeared.
“You think these men will choose you?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I already asked them.”
The study doors opened.
The captains from yesterday stood outside.
Every one except Bellini.
Carlo looked around.
Nobody met his eyes.
I placed Miguel’s evidence on the table.
“You stole from them too.”
Carlo understood.
Money he thought he had stolen from me had actually belonged partly to everyone standing in that hallway.
His support vanished instantly.
“You planned this.”
“No.”
I looked toward the purple smile Sophia had drawn on the velvet.
“She did.”
Carlo followed my eyes.
For the first time, he looked genuinely confused.
I almost smiled.
“A three-year-old walked into the wrong room yesterday.”
I looked back at him.
“And because she did, I started paying attention.”
Marco stepped beside me.
Carlo shook his head.
“You'll destroy everything over a maid and her child?”
“No.”
Maria answered before I could.
“He’s protecting his people.”
Carlo stared at her.
She didn't lower her eyes.
For a housekeeper who had once offered to resign because her daughter wandered into a meeting, Maria Alvarez had found her courage quickly.
Carlo turned to leave.
Two security men blocked him.
“What now?” he asked.
“Now,” I said, “you answer for what you did.”
I wasn't going to make Sophia grow up around another cycle of revenge.
Carlo would lose his position.
His money.
His protection.
And the evidence Miguel had collected would go where it needed to go.
But there was one thing I wanted him to understand before he left.
I stepped closer.
“Miguel Alvarez wasn't a loose end.”
Carlo looked at me.
“He was a husband.”
Maria's eyes filled.
“A father.”
Marco stared at the floor.
“And one of my people.”
Carlo said nothing.
I opened the door.
“Get him out.”
When it was over, Marco remained in the study.
Maria stood near him.
I started toward the door.
“Boss?”
I stopped.
Marco looked uncomfortable.
I'd seen him face armed men with less fear.
“What?”
He looked at Maria.
Then me.
“I need to tell her something.”
Maria folded her arms.
“You could try telling me instead of asking your boss for permission.”
I almost smiled.
Marco nodded.
“Right.”
I left.
But not before hearing Maria say:
“Marco, if you're about to confess that you've been secretly watching me for eight months, choose your words very carefully.”
His response came faintly through the closing door.
“I was going to start with dinner.”
“Terrible start.”
“Coffee?”
“Better.”
May you like
I closed the door.
And for the first time that night, I laughed.
