Chapter 4 - The Enemy Hidden In The Darkness
The next morning, my diner was surrounded by expensive cars.
My neighbors thought I had become famous overnight.
They were wrong.
I had become noticed.
And in Chicago, being noticed by the wrong people was dangerous.
Adrian Moretti arrived before sunrise.
No bodyguards this time.
Just him.
And Theo.
Theo walked inside carrying the same watch.
"You came."
I smiled.
"Of course I came."
He looked relieved.
Adrian watched from behind him.
"You have no idea what you're involved in."
I turned.
"Neither did Theo."
That answer made him quiet.
We sat at a table.
Adrian explained everything.
The person following Theo was someone inside his organization.
Someone who knew his family's weaknesses.
Someone who wanted revenge.
"Why tell me this?"
"Because my enemies now know you helped my son."
I looked at him.
"So you're saying I became a problem."
"No."
His voice softened.
"You became someone I need to protect."
I wasn't expecting that.
Adrian Moretti didn't sound like a criminal.
He sounded like a father.
Then Theo entered holding a piece of paper.
"Papa."
Adrian turned.
"What is it?"
Theo handed it over.
A drawing.
Three people.
A woman.
A boy.
A man.
Adrian stared.
"My family."
Theo nodded.
"I don't remember much about Mom."
A pause.
"But I remember she said you were a good man before everyone became afraid of you."
Adrian looked away.
The words hurt.
Because they were true.
Later that afternoon, Adrian discovered who had betrayed him.
A former trusted advisor.
Someone who knew about the watch.
Someone who knew about Theo.
The man had been using Theo's fear to control him.
Adrian wanted revenge.
I saw it in his eyes.
But then Theo appeared.
"Papa."
Adrian stopped.
"Don't become the person Mom hated."
Those words changed everything.
Because for the first time, Adrian had a choice.
Power.
Or his son.
May you like
And he chose his son.
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