Chapter 7 - The Man Who Tried to Burn His Own Name
The authorities arrested half the Black Raven network.
But Elias vanished again.
Thomas testified.
Giovanni testified.
Gabriel disappeared into protective custody.
Vincent survived.
Lily recovered.
And my father finally came home.
For the first time in fifteen years, I saw my father sitting at our kitchen table.
He looked older.
But peaceful.
Lorenzo visited every Sunday.
At first, Dad distrusted him.
“Your family ruined my life.”
Lorenzo nodded.
“I know.”
“You're supposed to be powerful.”
“I am.”
“Then why are you still here?”
Lorenzo looked at me.
“Because I love your daughter.”
Dad stared.
I nearly dropped my coffee.
Lorenzo's face remained calm.
Dad smiled.
“Good answer.”
My heart raced.
But the peace didn't last.
Elias attacked the Rossi company from inside.
He began taking over properties.
Employees disappeared.
Witnesses were threatened.
The final target was the Rossi charitable foundation.
Lorenzo refused to let it fall.
“I built half my public life around giving that money away.”
“You built it because your father wanted legitimacy.”
“Yes.”
“And now?”
Lorenzo looked at me.
“Now I have something else to protect.”
He took my hand.
I looked at him.
“We need to talk.”
“About?”
“You and me.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
“You're Lorenzo Rossi.”
“Yes.”
“I'm Norah Sullivan.”
“Yes.”
“My life has been small.”
“Mine hasn't.”
“I don't know how to live in your world.”
“You don't have to.”
“What if I don't want it?”
“You won't have it.”
I frowned.
“What?”
“You won't have to become someone else.”
He touched my face.
“I don't want a wife who knows how to enter a ballroom.”
“I want the woman who knew something was wrong because my driver's thumb sat differently on a gun.”
I laughed.
“That sounds romantic in a strange way.”
“I'm not good at romance.”
“I noticed.”
He smiled.
Then he kissed me.
It was the first time.
It wasn't dramatic.
It was quiet.
Careful.
As though both of us were asking permission.
When we pulled apart, he whispered:
“Norah.”
“Yes?”
“Stay.”
I smiled.
“I already am.”
That night, Elias called.
He spoke directly to Lorenzo.
“Come to the old Rossi warehouse.”
“No.”
“I have something.”
“What?”
“Your mother.”
Lorenzo froze.
His mother had been dead for ten years.
Elias laughed.
“Come alone.”
Lorenzo hung up.
He didn't tell anyone.
But I saw his face.
“What?”
He told me.
I immediately knew.
“It’s a trap.”
“Yes.”
“Then don't go.”
“I need to know what he means.”
“I'll come.”
“No.”
“You just said you want me to stay.”
His eyes softened.
“I don't want you in danger.”
“I've been in danger since the day I walked upstairs with your espresso.”
He smiled.
“Fair.”
We went together.
The warehouse was empty.
Then a projector switched on.
An old video appeared.
Lorenzo's mother.
Alive.
Years earlier.
Speaking to the camera.
“My son, if you're watching this, Elias is lying.”
Lorenzo stepped closer.
His mother continued.
“Your brother betrayed your father.”
Elias appeared behind us.
He held a gun.
Lorenzo turned.
“It's over.”
Elias laughed.
“No.”
May you like
He pointed at me.
“It's just beginning.”
