Chapter 6 - The Truth in the Chapel
Lorenzo entered without rushing.
Sixty-two.
Silver hair.
Perfect black coat.
He looked more like a senator than a criminal.
His eyes found Anna.
“Elena.”
Anna stood beside the piano.
“Apparently.”
Lorenzo smiled.
“You always were difficult.”
Dante stepped between them.
“You killed my father.”
Lorenzo sighed.
“So Victor finally talked.”
“He had help.”
Anna held up the brass key.
Lorenzo’s smile vanished.
“You remember.”
“Enough.”
Dante’s men remained positioned throughout the chapel.
Lorenzo looked around.
“You think this protects you?”
“No,” Dante said. “But what’s waiting outside does.”
Lorenzo frowned.
Dante lifted his phone.
“Everything Victor gave me was copied and sent to federal investigators this morning.”
Victor blinked.
“You didn't tell me that.”
“I don't tell anyone everything.”
Anna looked at Dante.
“Very mafia boss of you.”
“Thank you.”
“That wasn't a compliment.”
“I’m choosing to accept it.”
Lorenzo’s calm finally cracked.
“You think investigators care about old family business?”
Dante nodded toward the key.
“They’ll care about financial records connecting you to six murders, extortion payments and offshore accounts.”
Lorenzo looked at Anna.
“You don't even remember who you are.”
Anna walked toward him.
“No.”
She stopped several feet away.
“But apparently the woman I used to be was smart enough to terrify you.”
Lorenzo said nothing.
“And the woman I am now?”
Anna smiled faintly.
“She doesn't like you either.”
Sirens became audible in the distance.
Lorenzo turned toward Dante.
“You would bring authorities into family business?”
“You stopped being family when you killed my father.”
Lorenzo’s men began backing away.
Dante didn't stop them.
Within minutes, the chapel courtyard filled with vehicles.
Lorenzo was taken away.
Victor surrendered voluntarily.
Before leaving, he approached Anna.
“I’m sorry.”
“For which part?”
“Most of it.”
Anna studied him.
“You saved my life.”
“And stole two years from it.”
“Both can be true.”
Victor nodded.
Then looked at Dante.
“Don't lose her twice.”
Dante’s expression hardened.
“Go.”
Victor smiled.
“Still terrible with gratitude.”
After everyone left, Anna returned to the piano.
Dante stood behind her.
She pressed middle C.
Flat.
She laughed softly.
Dante looked confused.
“What?”
“Four years of murder, betrayal and conspiracy.”
She pressed the key again.
“And this stupid note still bothers me.”
Dante laughed.
The sound stopped her.
She knew that laugh.
Her eyes closed.
Rain.
A piano.
Black licorice.
Dante kneeling with a ring.
Her own voice:
Ask me properly.
His voice:
Elena Sofia Marconi, will you marry me?
Her eyes opened.
“Dante.”
He stopped laughing.
She whispered:
“You asked me twice.”
His face changed.
“What?”
“The first time, I thought you were joking.”
He stared at her.
“You told me my proposal sounded like a business merger.”
Anna’s breath caught.
“I said you had the romantic instincts of a tax attorney.”
Dante stepped closer.
“You remember.”
“Some of it.”
Tears filled her eyes.
Then she smiled.
“And you bought me black licorice afterward.”
“You hated it.”
“I still do.”
Dante laughed again.
May you like
This time, Anna laughed with him.
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