Chapter 5 - The Truth About Sadi's Father
Sadi was moved to a safe house.
Dante went with her.
Rosa stayed behind to manage the estate.
For the first time, Dante and Sadi were alone without the walls of the mansion separating them.
They spent two days in a secluded lake house.
Dante slept badly.
Sadi slept worse.
But slowly, they talked.
She told him about her childhood.
Her mother.
The nursing school.
The debt.
Dante listened.
Then he told her about Clara.
They had met when they were young.
She had been fearless.
She challenged him.
Made him laugh.
Made him believe he could build something better than his father's empire.
Then she died.
Dante's voice broke when he described the funeral.
“I thought I buried the most important person in my life.”
Sadi reached for his hand.
“You did.”
He looked at her.
“But you didn't.”
“No.”
He squeezed her fingers.
The next day, Dante's men brought new evidence.
Patrick Gallagher was alive.
Sadi's father had been operating under another name.
And he was connected to the Black Thorn network.
Dante stared at the file.
“He was working for them.”
Sadi whispered:
“Is he the one who tried to kill Clara?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
Dante looked at the evidence.
“Someone higher.”
They tracked Patrick to a warehouse.
Dante wanted to go alone.
Sadi insisted.
They entered together.
Patrick stood in the center.
Older.
Gray-haired.
Alive.
Sadi stared at him.
“Dad?”
He turned.
For one second, something like shame crossed his face.
Then he smiled.
“My little girl.”
Sadi stepped forward.
“How could you?”
“I protected you.”
She laughed bitterly.
“You knew I'd been raised by Mom.”
“Yes.”
“You let me believe you abandoned us.”
“I had to.”
Dante raised his gun.
“You stole from my family.”
Patrick looked at him.
“I stole from your father.”
“What did you steal?”
“The ledger.”
Dante's eyes narrowed.
“Where is it?”
Patrick looked at Sadi.
“With her.”
Sadi froze.
“What?”
Patrick pointed at the pendant.
“The ledger's key is inside the pendant.”
Dante stared.
Patrick continued:
“Your mother knew.”
“Then why didn't she tell me?”
“She was afraid.”
“Of who?”
Patrick looked at Dante.
“Your father.”
Dante's jaw tightened.
Patrick continued:
“Gabriel Russo ordered Clara's death.”
Dante froze.
“My father?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Clara discovered the Black Thorn.”
“And the ledger?”
“She took it.”
“Then where is it?”
Patrick smiled sadly.
“Your wife hid it inside your daughter.”
Sadi's blood ran cold.
“I never had it.”
“You did.”
He looked at the pendant.
“Your mother wore it the day she died.”
Sadi's eyes widened.
“My mother didn't die until five years ago.”
Patrick nodded.
“She lived long enough to keep you safe.”
“Who killed her?”
Patrick looked away.
“The Black Thorn.”
Dante's voice became dangerous.
“Who?”
Patrick whispered:
“Marcus Russo.”
Dante froze.
His uncle.
The man who had been a father figure after Gabriel died.
Marcus had raised him.
Trusted him.
Advised him.
Dante lowered the gun.
“Where is he?”
Patrick pointed toward the door.
“Behind you.”
Dante turned.
Marcus stood there.
Gun in hand.
He looked older than Dante remembered.
Tired.
“Hello, nephew.”
Dante's face became stone.
“How long?”
“Since before Clara.”
“Why?”
“Because your father was weak.”
Marcus looked at Sadi.
“Her mother knew too much.”
Sadi stepped closer.
“You killed my mother?”
“No.”
“Who did?”
Marcus smiled.
“You don't want to know.”
Dante aimed his gun.
“I think I do.”
Marcus laughed.
“Then find the ledger.”
He fired toward Sadi.
Dante shoved her aside.
The bullet struck his shoulder.
Dante returned fire.
Marcus escaped.
Sadi fell beside Dante.
Blood spread across his shirt.
“Again?” she whispered.
Dante laughed despite the pain.
“Apparently.”
She pressed her hands against the wound.
“You're going to owe me a lot of medical bills.”
He looked at her.
“I'll pay all of them.”
She stared.
“Don't make promises you can't keep.”
“I intend to.”
Then his phone rang.
A message from Marcus.
Come to the cemetery where you buried Clara.
Another followed.
Bring the girl.
May you like
Dante looked at Sadi.
The past had finally come for them.
