Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO HAD BEEN HIDING
Greg was hit in the shoulder.
Riona screamed.
Aldrich returned fire.
Matteo fled into the trees.
Security arrived seconds later.
The van was abandoned.
Greg was alive.
Barely.
At the hospital, Riona sat beside him.
“Why didn't you find me?”
Greg opened his eyes.
“Because they had everyone watching.”
“Who?”
“Matteo.”
She shook her head.
“Why?”
“He helped Voss.”
“How?”
Greg struggled to speak.
“Money.”
“That's not enough.”
“No.”
He closed his eyes.
“Your mother discovered them.”
Riona's face tightened.
“What did my mother know?”
“That your father was being framed.”
“My father?”
“Your father didn't abandon you.”
Riona stared.
Greg whispered.
“He was killed.”
Her hand covered her mouth.
“Why?”
“Because he found the ledger.”
“The original?”
“Yes.”
“Who killed him?”
Greg looked at Aldrich.
“Matteo.”
Aldrich went still.
His uncle.
The man who had raised him.
The man who had told him Riona was a traitor.
The man who had poisoned every memory Aldrich had of her.
“He killed my father?”
Greg nodded.
“And your mother?”
“Voss.”
Riona began crying.
Aldrich stepped beside her.
He didn't know what to say.
For once, there were no words.
Greg continued.
“Your father left one thing.”
“What?”
“A letter.”
“Where?”
“Your mother's old church.”
Aldrich and Riona went there.
Behind a statue was another compartment.
Inside.
A letter.
Riona opened it.
My daughter,
If you ever read this, then the people who wanted me silent failed.
I need you to know that I never abandoned you.
I ran because I believed distance could protect you.
I was wrong.
Your mother knew the truth.
Your grandfather helped her.
And Vincent Ferrante promised to protect you.
But Vincent was killed before he could.
The man behind everything is Matteo.
Do not trust him.
Protect your child.
And if Aldrich ever comes looking for you, remember that he was lied to.
Do not punish him forever for a mistake made by men who wanted you both destroyed.
Riona cried.
Aldrich stood beside her.
She looked at him.
“He knew.”
“Yes.”
“I spent eight years hating you.”
“I know.”
“I don't know what to do with that.”
“You don't have to do anything.”
She looked at him.
“I loved you.”
“I never stopped.”
Her eyes filled.
“You shouldn't say that.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to believe you.”
He reached for her hand.
“You don't have to believe me today.”
She didn't pull away.
That night, Anel woke from a nightmare.
Riona entered his room.
Before she reached him, Aldrich was already there.
He had heard the cry.
Anel sat up.
“Aldrich?”
“Yes.”
“You came.”
“I did.”
“Stay.”
Riona stopped in the doorway.
Aldrich sat beside the boy.
Anel leaned against him.
Within minutes, he was asleep.
Riona watched silently.
Aldrich looked at her.
“What?”
“You said you never stopped loving me.”
“I didn't.”
“But you barely knew Anel existed.”
“I know.”
“And now?”
He looked at the sleeping child.
“Now I can't imagine a day without him.”
Riona cried silently.
Aldrich stood.
“I'm not asking you to forgive me yet.”
She nodded.
“Good.”
“But I am asking for a chance.”
Her voice trembled.
“You already have it.”
He looked surprised.
“What does that mean?”
“It means I'm willing to see who you are now.”
He stepped closer.
“That's enough.”
Then Riona kissed him.
Not passionately.
Not like the past.
Like a promise that someday, maybe, they could begin again.
But outside the window, a black car waited.
Matteo watched the house.
And beside him stood Roland Vain.
“Tomorrow,” Matteo said.
“What?”
“We take the boy.”
Roland nodded.
“And Aldrich?”
May you like
Matteo smiled.
“We take everything.”
