Chapter 7 - The Betrayal Inside the Barzini Family Changed Everything Nico Believed About LoveNico refused to believe it.
“Elena would never.”
Bella studied the files.
“The payments came from an account bearing her name.”
“That can be forged.”
“Yes.”
They returned to Indianapolis.
Elena was waiting.
She looked exhausted.
“I knew you'd find out.”
Nico froze.
“You knew?”
Elena began crying.
She had been protecting Nico for decades.
Nico's father had asked her to hide the truth.
She had created false accounts.
Redirected money.
Protected Thomas's family.
But she had never ordered the murders.
Someone had stolen her identity.
And the final mastermind was not Elena.
It was Nico's cousin, Marco Barzini.
Marco wanted control of the family.
He had worked with Hensley for years.
He had ordered the attacks.
He had planted evidence.
He had sent Bella the photograph.
He wanted Nico to believe Bella was a threat.
Marco kidnapped Tilly.
Everything stopped.
For Nico, nothing else mattered.
Not the money.
Not the evidence.
Not the organization.
His world narrowed to one little girl.
They found Marco at an abandoned warehouse.
Bella went with Nico.
Marco stood beside Tilly.
“She was never the target.”
“You were.”
Nico raised his weapon.
Marco smiled.
“Go ahead.”
Bella stepped in front of Nico.
“No.”
Marco looked at her.
“You've ruined everything.”
Bella stared back.
“No.”
She smiled.
“You ruined yourself.”
Police surrounded the building.
Marco was arrested.
Tilly ran to Bella.
Nico knelt.
She hugged him.
“Mr. Thunder.”
He closed his eyes.
“I've got you.”
Later that night, Bella found Nico alone.
He was shaking.
She sat beside him.
“You don't have to be strong.”
“I don't know how not to be.”
“You can learn.”
He took her hand.
“What did I do to deserve you?”
Bella laughed softly.
“Probably nothing.”
“That sounds disappointing.”
“It means you don't owe me.”
He looked at her.
“I owe you everything.”
She shook her head.
“You owe me honesty.”
He nodded.
“I can give you that.”
Then he gave her the truth.
He loved her.
He wanted Tilly in his life.
He wanted a future that had nothing to do with violence.
“I don't know if I deserve one.”
May you like
Bella squeezed his hand.
“Then we'll build one anyway.”
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