Chapter 7 - The Wedding That Became a Trap
Luca canceled the wedding.
Not the engagement.
The wedding.
That distinction mattered because Vanessa's family believed the ceremony would still happen.
Arthur believed it too.
That was exactly what Luca wanted.
"We're going to use the wedding," he said.
"Use it how?"
"As bait."
I didn't like the sound of that.
Neither did Daniel.
But Luca had already made his decision.
The mansion became a stage.
Guests were informed that the wedding would proceed.
Security doubled.
Every delivery was inspected.
The jewelry was replaced.
The ledger was copied.
The originals were secured with federal investigators through a lawyer Luca trusted.
Vanessa agreed to wear a wire.
Noah was moved to a secure location.
And I was supposed to stay out of everything.
I refused.
Luca stared at me.
"You have done enough."
"This started because of my family."
"That doesn't mean you need to risk your life."
"You're risking yours."
"I'm used to it."
"I'm not."
He smiled faintly.
"That's exactly why I don't want you involved."
I stepped closer.
"You're not protecting me by locking me in a room."
He looked down.
"What do you want?"
"The truth."
"You'll get it."
"From you."
He was silent.
Then he said,
"I don't know how to do this."
"Do what?"
"Care about someone without turning it into protection."
My heart skipped.
Neither of us looked away.
But before the moment could become anything more, Daniel entered.
"They're moving."
Luca instantly switched back into business mode.
"Who?"
"Bellini's father."
"Where?"
"Chicago."
"Arthur?"
"Confirmed."
The trap was working.
The wedding morning arrived.
The ballroom filled with flowers.
The guests arrived.
Vanessa walked down the aisle.
Everything looked normal.
But every chandelier hid a camera.
Every waiter was security.
Every vehicle was scanned.
I stood behind the kitchen doors.
The same place I'd stood ten months ago when I first started working for Luca.
Now I watched the man I had once been terrified of stand beneath the altar.
He looked at Vanessa.
Then at me.
Just once.
That was enough.
It meant everything was ready.
The ceremony began.
Vanessa spoke.
Luca spoke.
Then she dropped the bouquet.
Three times.
Signal.
Someone had entered.
Daniel whispered into the radio.
"East wing."
Gunfire erupted.
The guests screamed.
Security moved.
Luca grabbed Vanessa and pulled her behind the altar.
I ran toward the staff corridor.
A man grabbed me.
I fought.
He slammed me against the wall.
"Where is the ledger?"
"I don't know."
He raised his gun.
A shot fired.
He fell.
Luca stood behind him.
"Don't ever do that again."
I stared.
"You followed me."
"Of course."
"You're impossible."
"And you're reckless."
He helped me up.
Then we heard a scream.
Vanessa.
We ran.
Arthur Vale stood in the ballroom.
Older.
Gray-haired.
Scar under his eye.
Exactly as I'd remembered.
He held Vanessa's brother at gunpoint.
Noah had been captured.
Luca stopped.
Arthur smiled.
"There you are."
"You wanted the ledger."
"I wanted something better."
He looked at me.
"Her."
My heart dropped.
"Why me?"
Arthur laughed.
"Because your father stole from me."
"My father stole nothing."
"He stole my future."
Luca raised his gun.
Arthur pressed the weapon against Noah's head.
"One shot and your brother dies."
Luca lowered his gun.
Arthur smiled.
"That's better."
He looked at me.
"Come here, Hannah."
I moved.
Luca shook his head.
I whispered,
"Trust me."
He didn't move.
I walked toward Arthur.
"Why did you kill my parents?"
Arthur's expression changed.
"I didn't."
"Then who?"
"Your father."
"My father loved me."
"John did."
I froze.
"John wasn't your father."
"I know."
"Your father was Daniel Cross."
"I know."
Arthur smiled.
"Then you know he stole the names."
"What names?"
"The children."
"You trafficked children."
"Your father wanted to expose me."
"What happened to him?"
"I killed him."
My stomach turned.
"But the crash..."
"Richard ordered it."
Luca's eyes changed.
"You lied."
Arthur shrugged.
"People believe whatever story they need."
I realized then.
He wanted us angry.
He wanted Luca to shoot.
He wanted the ledger to disappear.
So I did the one thing he didn't expect.
I laughed.
Arthur frowned.
"You think this is funny?"
"No."
I looked at Vanessa.
She was crying.
Then I looked at Noah.
He gave me the smallest nod.
The wire was still working.
Everything Arthur said was being recorded.
Arthur realized too late.
Luca smiled.
"You just confessed."
Arthur's face hardened.
He fired.
Noah ducked.
Security stormed the room.
Arthur ran.
I chased him.
We reached the old chapel.
He stopped.
"Your father left another message."
He pulled a small device from his coat.
A recording.
Elena's voice.
"Arthur, if you touch my son, the ledger will be released."
Arthur smiled.
"You see? She knew everything."
Then he looked at me.
"Ask Luca why he never told you what happened the night your parents died."
I turned.
Luca stood in the doorway.
Arthur disappeared through a side door.
I looked at Luca.
"What didn't you tell me?"
He lowered his gun.
"Something I remembered."
"What?"
"The night your parents died, I was there."
I stared.
"You?"
"My father took me."
"Why?"
"To teach me what happened to people who betrayed him."
My blood ran cold.
"What did you see?"
Luca swallowed.
"I saw Arthur."
"And?"
"I saw your father."
"Alive?"
"Yes."
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
"Because your father asked me not to."
I felt betrayed.
"You knew."
"I was sixteen."
"That doesn't make it okay."
"I know."
He stepped closer.
"But I also saw something else."
"What?"
"Your father gave my mother the ledger."
"And then?"
"Arthur shot him."
I cried.
"And my parents?"
"John was already dying."
"My mother?"
"She escaped the car."
I stopped.
"What?"
May you like
Luca nodded.
"Your mother wasn't in the car when it crashed."
