Chapter 3 - The Friend Who Became an Enemy
By sunrise, Lorenzo Moretti knew one thing.
Matio Russo was no longer his partner.
He was a threat.
But before Lorenzo could move against him, he needed proof.
Because betrayal from an enemy was expected.
Betrayal from family was different.
It needed to be exposed completely.
Carlo entered the safe house.
“Boss.”
Lorenzo looked up.
“What?”
“We found something.”
He placed a folder on the table.
Inside were financial records.
Hidden accounts.
Payments.
Names.
Lorenzo turned page after page.
Then stopped.
Matio’s signature.
Naomi watched his expression.
“What is it?”
Lorenzo closed the folder.
“He wasn’t planning to leave.”
“What does that mean?”
“He was planning to take everything.”
Before anyone could say more, Lorenzo’s phone rang.
Matio.
Again.
This time Lorenzo answered.
“Brother.”
Matio sounded angry.
“You disappeared.”
“I was busy.”
“With what?”
Lorenzo looked at Naomi.
“Finding out who my enemies are.”
A pause.
Then Matio said:
“You always had a problem, Lorenzo.”
“What problem?”
“You trusted people too easily.”
Lorenzo smiled coldly.
“No.”
He looked at the folder.
“My mistake was trusting one person too much.”
The line went silent.
Then Matio whispered:
“Careful.”
Lorenzo leaned back.
“Is that a threat?”
“No.”
Matio laughed softly.
“It’s advice.”
The call ended.
Lorenzo stared at the phone.
Naomi asked:
“What happens now?”
He looked toward the window.
“The truth comes out.”
“And if he tries to hurt you?”
Lorenzo turned back.
“He won’t get the chance.”
Naomi studied him.
For the first time, she saw something behind the reputation.
Not just a mafia boss.
A man who had lost the one person he trusted.
And somehow…
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Still chose to protect her.
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