Chapter 4 - The Woman in Chicago Who Knew Why Nico's Father Betrayed His Own SonSofia Marquez lived above a flower shop.
She was sixty-one.
Sharp-eyed.
Elegant.
Unimpressed by intimidation.
When Nico introduced himself, she laughed.
“You look exactly like your father.”
Bella stood beside him.
Sofia looked at her.
“And you look exactly like Thomas.”
Bella's eyes filled.
“You knew my father?”
“I loved your father.”
Bella froze.
Nico looked at Sofia.
“What happened?”
Sofia invited them upstairs.
Then she told them everything.
Thomas had discovered Richard Vale's theft.
But Richard had blackmailed Nico's father.
He had proof that Nico's father had participated in illegal operations.
If he testified, the Barzini family would fall.
So he stayed silent.
Thomas tried to move the stolen money somewhere safe.
But Richard discovered it.
He wanted Thomas dead.
Nico asked the question he'd been avoiding.
“Did my father order Thomas killed?”
Sofia shook her head.
“No.”
“He tried to protect him.”
“But he failed.”
“He sent Thomas away.”
“And told everyone he had stolen the money.”
Nico closed his eyes.
His entire childhood was built on a lie.
Sofia continued.
“Your father thought the truth would come out later.”
“It didn't.”
“Because Richard controlled the police.”
Nico's voice was hard.
“Where did my father hide the original ledger?”
Sofia stared at him.
“Your father didn't hide it.”
“Thomas did.”
“Where?”
She looked at Bella.
“He left it for you.”
Bella frowned.
“For me?”
Sofia nodded.
“You were the only person he trusted completely.”
She handed Bella a small key.
It had the same engraving as the first.
418.
Nico looked at Bella.
“Another locker.”
Sofia smiled.
“Not a locker.”
“A safe.”
They returned to Indianapolis.
Locker 418 was at the same station.
Inside was a ledger.
The names shocked them.
Judges.
Police officers.
Businessmen.
Politicians.
Among them was one current senator.
Nico looked at the page.
“Robert Hensley.”
Everett went pale.
“He's still in office.”
Nico nodded.
And suddenly the threat against Bella made sense.
This wasn't about an old theft.
It was about people still living.
Powerful people.
People who had spent twenty years believing the evidence was gone.
Now it wasn't.
And Bella had it.
That night, Bella sat on the back porch.
Nico joined her.
Tilly was asleep upstairs.
Bella looked at him.
“You knew this would happen.”
“No.”
“Then why are you always calm?”
“I am not.”
She smiled sadly.
“You are.”
Nico sat beside her.
“I learned a long time ago that panic doesn't make danger disappear.”
Bella looked at his hands.
“Are you afraid?”
“Yes.”
“For yourself?”
He shook his head.
“For you.”
She looked away.
“That scares me.”
“Why?”
“Because nobody has ever said that about me.”
Nico's expression softened.
“You deserve to hear it.”
Bella laughed quietly.
“That's not very mafia-boss of you.”
He smiled.
“I'm taking the evening off.”
She leaned against him.
For several minutes they sat in silence.
Then Tilly appeared at the door holding Captain Button.
“Mommy.”
Bella stood.
“What happened?”
Tilly pointed toward the driveway.
“There are strangers.”
Nico stood instantly.
The cameras showed three black SUVs.
His guards drew weapons.
Nico grabbed Bella's hand.
“Stay behind me.”
May you like
The front gate exploded.
And the war that had been sleeping for twenty years finally arrived.
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