Chapter 4 - The Woman Behind the Locked Door
Blackstone Behavioral Center was two hours west of Boston.
Enzo arrived with lawyers.
Not soldiers.
Mia noticed.
“You listened.”
“Don't get used to it.”
“You brought six lawyers.”
“I said I listened. I didn't say I became pleasant.”
Blackstone's administrator, Dr. Carl Brenner, met them in the lobby.
“You cannot simply demand patient records.”
Enzo placed a court order on the desk.
Brenner's face changed.
“My attorney will review this.”
Enzo placed another document beside it.
“And the state investigators arriving in eleven minutes will review your finances.”
Brenner swallowed.
Mia murmured, “Six lawyers.”
Enzo glanced at her.
“Efficient.”
They found Rosa in a secure wing registered under another name.
Rebecca Moore.
Enzo stopped outside room 318.
For seven years he had imagined this moment.
In some versions, Rosa ran into his arms.
In others, he found only a grave.
He had never imagined a beige hospital corridor and a vending machine humming twenty feet away.
Mia stood beside him.
“You don't have to go in immediately.”
“Yes, I do.”
He opened the door.
A woman sat beside the window.
Thin.
Dark hair shorter than he remembered.
A book open in her lap.
She looked up.
Enzo couldn't speak.
Rosa studied his face.
Then her gaze lowered to the rose tattoo on his wrist.
She stood.
“Enzo?”
His entire body seemed to collapse without moving.
“Rosie.”
She crossed the room.
He caught her.
Seven years disappeared in one second.
Rosa held the back of his jacket.
“You took forever.”
Enzo laughed and cried at the same time.
“You always were impatient.”
“You were supposed to find me.”
“I know.”
Mia quietly stepped outside.
Twenty minutes later, Rosa asked to see Daniel.
Mia hesitated.
“He remembers you?”
Rosa nodded.
“Two years ago they brought Preston's little boy here.”
Mia's face hardened.
“Why?”
“He'd seen something. Preston wanted to scare him.”
“What did you do?”
“I told him he didn't have to speak. I told him silence could belong to him until he felt safe enough to give it up.”
Mia closed her eyes.
Rosa continued.
“I gave him my name.”
“Why would Preston risk that?”
“He thought Daniel was too traumatized to remember.”
Enzo's expression went cold.
Rosa looked at him.
“Don't.”
“He kept you locked away for seven years.”
“And if you kill him, what happens?”
“He stops breathing.”
“Enzo.”
Mia almost smiled despite herself.
Rosa pointed at her brother.
“This is why he needs women around him. He confuses vengeance with planning.”
Enzo stared.
“You've been back twenty minutes.”
“And you're already annoying me.”
For the first time in seven years, Enzo smiled like a brother instead of a boss.
Then Luca entered.
“Preston knows.”
Enzo's smile vanished.
“How?”
“Brenner made a call before investigators took his phone.”
“To Hale?”
“Mercer.”
Rosa went pale.
Mia asked, “Where is Daniel?”
Enzo turned.
“At the townhouse with Mrs. Caruso.”
Luca's phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
“Boss.”
Enzo already knew.
“What?”
“The townhouse alarm triggered.”
Mia stopped breathing.
“No.”
Luca continued.
“Mrs. Caruso is safe.”
Mia grabbed him.
“Daniel?”
Luca said nothing.
Mia's knees nearly buckled.
Enzo caught her.
“Where is my son?”
Luca's jaw tightened.
“He's gone.”
Mia shoved Enzo away.
“You said he was safe!”
“He was.”
“You promised me!”
“I know.”
“He's seven!”
“I know.”
“Then get him back!”
Enzo looked at her.
Every trace of emotion disappeared from his face.
That frightened Luca more than shouting ever had.
Enzo took out his phone.
“Close the city.”
Mia stared.
“What does that mean?”
Enzo walked toward the door.
May you like
“It means Preston Hale is about to discover the difference between having money and having power.”
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