Chapter 5 - The Line Alessandro Wouldn’t Cross
Bella reached the hospital before Alessandro’s SUV had fully stopped.
She ran inside.
“Marco!”
Her brother was sitting upright in bed.
Alive.
Unhurt.
Bella wrapped both arms around him.
“What happened?”
“Some guy came in.”
“What guy?”
“I don’t know. He asked whether I was Isabella Rossi’s brother.”
Alessandro entered behind her.
Marco looked over Bella’s shoulder.
“Then he saw security and ran.”
Vinnie appeared.
“We have camera footage.”
Alessandro turned.
“Find him.”
Bella heard the change in his voice.
“Alessandro.”
He ignored her.
“Vinnie.”
“Already on it.”
“Bring him to me.”
Bella stood.
“No.”
Alessandro looked at her.
“This isn’t your decision.”
“It became my decision when someone walked into my brother’s room.”
“Exactly.”
His voice sharpened.
“That’s why I’m ending this.”
“How?”
“You don’t want to know.”
“I do.”
“No, Bella.”
She stepped directly in front of him.
“Look at me.”
He didn’t.
“Alessandro.”
Finally, he did.
Bella spoke quietly.
“If Romano wants you to lose control, what happens when you do?”
His jaw tightened.
“He came after Marco.”
“And Marco is alive.”
“This time.”
“Then protect him.”
“I will.”
“But don’t become Romano to defeat Romano.”
Alessandro stared at her.
Marco spoke from the bed.
“She’s usually right.”
Both turned.
Marco shrugged.
“It’s extremely annoying.”
Bella pointed at him.
“Stay out of this.”
“I’m literally the patient.”
Alessandro almost smiled.
Then Vinnie returned.
“We found the guy.”
“Where?”
“Parking garage.”
Alessandro headed toward the door.
Bella followed.
---
The intruder turned out to be a terrified nineteen-year-old named Danny.
Romano had paid him five thousand dollars to enter Marco’s room and leave a message.
No weapon.
No attack.
Just fear.
The message was simple.
Walk away from Bianchi or the next visit won’t be a warning.
Alessandro listened.
Then he asked Danny:
“How old is your mother?”
Danny blinked.
“What?”
“You live with her.”
“How do you know?”
“I know everything about people sent near my family.”
Bella noticed the word.
Family.
Danny looked terrified.
Alessandro stepped closer.
“You’re going to deliver a message.”
Danny nodded rapidly.
“Anything.”
“Tell Romano he made his final mistake.”
Bella watched Alessandro.
He glanced toward her.
Then back at Danny.
“And then go home.”
Danny stared.
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
“Boss?” Vinnie said.
Alessandro looked at Bella again.
“That’s it.”
Danny ran.
Bella approached.
“You let him go.”
“He was a kid.”
“Nineteen.”
“A stupid kid.”
Bella smiled.
“What?”
“You’re changing.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“I’m adapting.”
“That’s changing with expensive vocabulary.”
Alessandro shook his head.
Then Bella kissed him.
He froze.
For perhaps the first time in his adult life, Alessandro Moretti appeared completely unprepared.
Bella stepped back.
“What?”
“You kissed me.”
“Excellent observational skills.”
“Why?”
“Because you let him go.”
Alessandro stared.
“If I’d known that was the reward, I’d have started behaving years ago.”
Bella laughed.
Vinnie groaned.
“I’m going downstairs.”
Neither listened.
---
Romano was arrested four days later.
Not by Alessandro.
By federal agents.
Bianchi’s testimony, financial records, and evidence collected from the warehouse connected Romano to extortion, arson, trafficking, and conspiracy.
Alessandro had quietly delivered everything investigators needed.
Bella found out when she saw the arrest on television.
She immediately called him.
“You did this?”
“Yes.”
“You gave them Romano?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
A pause.
“Because you were right.”
Bella smiled.
“Say that again.”
“No.”
“Alessandro.”
“Absolutely not.”
She laughed.
Then his voice softened.
“Is Marco okay?”
“He’s good.”
“And you?”
Bella looked out the hospital window.
“I’m good too.”
“Dinner tonight?”
“I’m working.”
“I own Lucia’s now.”
Bella went silent.
“What?”
“I bought it this morning.”
“You bought my restaurant?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Henderson wanted to sell.”
“That is not why.”
Alessandro hesitated.
“Fine.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted to make sure nobody could ever threaten your job again.”
Bella closed her eyes.
“That is simultaneously the sweetest and most insane thing anyone has ever done for me.”
“So dinner?”
“No.”
“Bella.”
“I’m working.”
“I own the restaurant.”
“And I’m still working.”
Silence.
Then Alessandro laughed.
“Eight-thirty?”
“Nine.”
“Eight forty-five.”
“Fine.”
“See? Negotiation.”
Bella smiled.
May you like
“Don’t push it, Moretti.”
---
