Chapter 2 - The Secret My Husband Took to His GraveI waited until the reception ended.
I didn't confront Noah.
I didn't confront Helen.
I didn't confront Marco.
I waited in the hotel corridor while Gino stood beside me.
“You owe me an explanation.”
“I know.”
“Was Aaron involved with you?”
Gino looked toward the ballroom.
“Not with me.”
“Then who?”
He lowered his voice.
“A network.”
I stared.
“What network?”
“The one your husband spent the last years of his life trying to dismantle.”
I almost laughed.
“Aaron was a freight driver.”
“No.”
“He was a freight company manager.”
“No.”
“He sold logistics contracts.”
“He investigated smuggling.”
I stopped breathing.
Gino continued.
“Your husband discovered shipments were being moved through legitimate trucking companies.”
“And you knew?”
“I knew part of it.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because Aaron made me promise.”
“Promise what?”
“Never to involve you.”
I stared at him.
“And you honored that promise by letting me spend eleven years believing my husband died in an accident?”
His expression tightened.
“The accident wasn't an accident.”
My knees weakened.
Gino caught my arm.
“Beth.”
“Don't.”
I pulled away.
“Don't touch me.”
He released me immediately.
“Fine.”
“What happened?”
“Aaron was transporting evidence.”
“Evidence against who?”
“People who now sit at tables beside your son's new family.”
I thought of Helen.
“Are the Corsey family involved?”
Gino didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
I drove home before sunrise.
I didn't sleep.
At six in the morning, I went into Aaron's old closet.
I had not opened the top shelf in years.
His winter coat was still there.
A blue tie.
An old briefcase.
The briefcase I had assumed contained tax documents.
I opened it.
Inside was a key.
A photograph.
And an envelope addressed to me.
My hands began shaking.
I opened the letter.
Beth,
If you're reading this, something went wrong.
I need you to trust three people.
First, Noah.
Second, yourself.
Third, the man who tells you not to trust him.
I frowned.
There was only one person that could mean.
Gino.
The letter continued.
The Corseys will try to become your family.
Let them think they have succeeded.
Whatever happens, never give them the ring.
I looked at the ring on my finger.
Then I heard a sound behind me.
Noah.
“Mom?”
I closed the letter.
“Why are you awake?”
“Because I couldn't sleep.”
He entered.
He looked miserable.
“I'm sorry.”
I stared.
“For what?”
“The dance.”
I sat down.
“Why did you do it?”
His eyes filled.
“Helen said it would save us.”
“Save us from what?”
He hesitated.
“Debt.”
I froze.
“What debt?”
“Your bakery.”
“What?”
“She said people were going to take it.”
I stared at him.
“Who?”
He lowered his head.
“Moretti Holdings.”
The name meant something now.
Gino's organization.
The same people who had apparently known my husband.
Noah continued.
“Helen said if I made her part of the family publicly, they would stop.”
I whispered,
“They?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
I looked at my son.
“You gave your wedding dance to save my bakery?”
He nodded.
Tears filled his eyes.
“I thought I was helping you.”
My anger disappeared.
I hugged him.
“You idiot.”
He laughed against my shoulder.
“I know.”
“But you should have told me.”
“I was scared.”
I held him tighter.
Then someone knocked on the front door.
Three short knocks.
One long.
Noah looked confused.
I knew immediately.
Gino.
I opened the door.
He stood outside.
His face was grim.
“Beth.”
“What?”
“We have a problem.”
“What?”
He looked at Noah.
Then back at me.
“Your bakery was broken into.”
My heart stopped.
“Was anything stolen?”
“No.”
“Then what did they want?”
May you like
Gino's gaze dropped to my hand.
“The ring.”
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