Chapter 3 - The Dinner He Couldn’t Control
Three weeks later, Marco was improving.
Dr. Keller called the response to treatment remarkable.
Bella called it a miracle.
Alessandro called it good medicine.
He never mentioned money.
Never sent an invoice.
Never asked for anything.
Except dinner.
So Bella kept her promise.
At seven on Friday evening, she walked into a private dining room at Moretti House wearing a simple black dress.
Alessandro stood when she entered.
“You came.”
“I said I would.”
“You also said you’d never call me.”
“That was before my life fell apart.”
He pulled out her chair.
Bella stopped.
“What?”
“I can sit by myself.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you doing that?”
“My mother raised me correctly.”
“You’re a mafia boss.”
“Those things aren’t mutually exclusive.”
Bella sat.
Dinner arrived.
No guards stood inside.
No business associates.
No threats.
Bella became suspicious.
“This is weird.”
“What is?”
“You.”
Alessandro poured wine.
“Specific.”
“You’re acting normal.”
“I am normal.”
“You had a man begging for his life beside your steak.”
“Most Tuesdays are more relaxed.”
Bella stared at him.
He smiled.
“You’re joking.”
“Occasionally.”
They ate.
For twenty minutes, Alessandro asked about Marco.
Then about Bella.
“How long have you worked at Lucia’s?”
“Four years.”
“College?”
“Dropped out when Marco got sick.”
“What were you studying?”
“Business.”
“You should finish.”
“With what time?”
“Make time.”
Bella put down her fork.
“Easy advice from a millionaire.”
Alessandro’s expression changed.
“Fair.”
She hadn’t expected him to admit it.
He leaned back.
“Ask me something.”
“Anything?”
“Yes.”
“Why did Bianchi steal from you?”
Alessandro’s smile disappeared.
“He stole information.”
“What kind?”
“Information about shipments.”
“And gave it to the Romanos?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Money.”
Bella shook her head.
“You have enough money.”
“This wasn’t about money.”
“What was it about?”
“Trust.”
Before Bella could answer, the door opened.
Vinnie entered.
His expression said everything.
Alessandro stood.
“What happened?”
“Warehouse seventeen.”
“What about it?”
“Burned.”
Alessandro’s jaw tightened.
“Anyone inside?”
“Two guards.”
Bella stopped breathing.
“Are they—”
“Alive,” Vinnie said. “One’s hurt.”
Alessandro reached for his coat.
Bella stood.
“You’re leaving?”
“Yes.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Bella.”
“That means you’re not answering.”
Alessandro looked at Vinnie.
“Give us a minute.”
Vinnie left.
Bella stepped closer.
“You helped Marco.”
“That has nothing to do with this.”
“It does to me.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want the man who saved my brother becoming the man everybody says he is.”
Alessandro’s eyes hardened.
“You don’t know what everybody says.”
“I live in Chicago.”
“Then you know what happens when someone attacks my people.”
“Yes.”
“Then don’t ask me to ignore it.”
“I’m not.”
Bella stepped closer.
“I’m asking you to think.”
“About?”
“What Bianchi wants.”
Alessandro stopped.
Bella continued.
“He ran to your enemy. Then suddenly one of your warehouses burns?”
“Yes.”
“That seems obvious.”
“Exactly.”
“No.”
Bella shook her head.
“Too obvious.”
Alessandro stared at her.
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying maybe he wants you angry.”
Silence.
“Why?”
“Because angry people make mistakes.”
Alessandro’s eyes narrowed.
Bella shrugged.
“You asked me to study business.”
A slow smile appeared.
Then disappeared.
Alessandro opened the door.
“Vinnie.”
His lieutenant returned.
“Yeah?”
“Don’t retaliate.”
Vinnie blinked.
“What?”
“Find Bianchi.”
“And Romano?”
“Watch him.”
Vinnie glanced at Bella.
Then back at Alessandro.
“You’re taking tactical advice from the waitress now?”
Bella folded her arms.
“Problem?”
Vinnie stared at her.
Then laughed.
“God help us.”
---
Two days later, Alessandro called Bella.
“You were right.”
“About?”
“The fire.”
Bella stopped stocking wine.
“Bianchi?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
“My accountant.”
“What?”
“He’d been moving money for months. The warehouse fire destroyed records.”
“So Bianchi was a distraction.”
“Yes.”
Bella leaned against the bar.
“What happens now?”
A pause.
“He goes to prison.”
Bella blinked.
“Prison?”
“I gave the evidence to federal investigators.”
“You?”
“Yes.”
“Alessandro Moretti voluntarily called federal agents?”
“Don’t sound so disappointed.”
Bella smiled.
“I’m impressed.”
“Dangerous habit.”
“So maybe you can solve problems without breaking people.”
“I wouldn’t become too optimistic.”
“Too late.”
Silence settled between them.
Then Alessandro said:
“Dinner again.”
“That sounded like an order.”
“Would you have dinner with me again?”
“Better.”
“And?”
Bella smiled.
“Yes.”
Across the room, Chloe stared.
Bella hung up.
“What?”
Chloe rushed over.
“You’re dating Alessandro Moretti?”
“No.”
“You’re smiling.”
“I smile.”
“Not like that.”
Bella grabbed her tray.
“Table six needs water.”
Chloe followed.
“You’re dating him.”
“I am not.”
“Bella.”
“Chloe.”
“Bella.”
Bella stopped.
“Fine.”
Chloe’s eyes widened.
Bella whispered:
“I might be.”
Neither woman noticed the man outside Lucia’s watching through the window.
Salvatore Bianchi had returned.
May you like
And he had just discovered the only person in Chicago Alessandro Moretti might hesitate to sacrifice.
---
