Chapter 3 - The Cousin Who Wanted Her Dead
Enzo Romano had always been the charming one.
The handsome one.
The cousin who smiled at family dinners while Alessio sat at the head of the table looking like he had been carved out of stone.
He was funny.
Social.
Popular.
And because of that, people underestimated how dangerous he could be.
Alessio didn't.
He had simply failed to realize how close the threat was.
By noon, Marco had assembled a file.
Enzo had transferred money to three shell companies.
He had purchased two burner phones.
And one month earlier, he had made a payment to a private investigator who specialized in surveillance.
The investigator had followed Lily.
Alessio stared at the documents.
"Why?"
"We don't know."
"Find out."
Marco opened another folder.
"There is something else."
"What?"
"Enzo met with a man named Victor Hale."
Alessio recognized the name.
Hale was an independent broker who specialized in arranging deals between rival criminal organizations.
"Where?"
"A restaurant owned by the Moretti family."
A chill ran through Alessio.
The Morettis had been enemies for years.
His father had warned him never to trust them.
Yet Victor Hale had been seen with Enzo.
Alessio drove to the restaurant.
He entered through the back.
Victor was already waiting.
He smiled.
"You came."
Alessio placed a photograph on the table.
"You know this woman?"
Victor glanced at it.
"Lily Carter."
"She was attacked last night."
Victor's smile disappeared.
"I didn't do it."
"I didn't ask if you did."
Silence.
"You know who did?"
Victor leaned back.
"You're asking the wrong question."
"What is the right one?"
"Who wanted you to believe she did it?"
Alessio stared.
Victor continued.
"Your cousin."
"Enzo?"
"He paid me six weeks ago."
"For what?"
"A package."
"What package?"
Victor shook his head.
"I'm not dying over this."
Alessio's expression remained cold.
Victor swallowed.
"Medical records."
Alessio's pulse jumped.
"Whose?"
"Lily's."
"Why would Enzo want her medical records?"
Victor looked at him.
"Because he wanted to know whether she was pregnant."
Everything stopped.
Alessio's mind went blank.
"How long did he know?"
"At least five weeks."
Alessio stood.
"Who else knows?"
Victor hesitated.
"Someone above him."
"Who?"
Victor didn't answer.
Alessio left.
When he arrived back at the hospital, Lily was awake.
He sat beside her.
"Did you know Enzo had your medical records?"
Her expression changed.
"No."
"He knew you were pregnant before I did."
She looked frightened.
"How?"
"I don't know yet."
Lily slowly touched her stomach.
"Alessio."
"I'll handle it."
"That's what worries me."
He gave a faint smile.
"I'm trying to become a different man."
"Don't become a harmless one."
He laughed softly.
"I'm still me."
"Good."
She reached for his hand.
"But be careful."
That night, Lily's mother arrived.
Her name was Evelyn Carter.
She had always been suspicious of the Romano family.
When she saw Alessio standing beside Lily's bed, she looked angry.
"You."
Alessio nodded.
"Mrs. Carter."
"You promised my daughter a safe life."
"I failed."
Evelyn stepped closer.
"You nearly killed her."
"I know."
"Then why should I let you stay?"
Alessio looked at Lily.
"Because I'm not asking you."
Evelyn frowned.
"Then what are you saying?"
"I'm saying she gets to decide."
Lily opened her eyes.
"Mom."
Evelyn looked at her daughter.
"I love him."
Alessio went completely still.
Lily continued.
"But loving someone doesn't mean ignoring what they did."
Evelyn's anger softened.
"You're right."
She looked at Alessio.
"So prove you can keep her alive."
"I will."
Later that evening, Alessio returned to the compound.
Dante was waiting.
"Where's Enzo?"
Dante looked uneasy.
"Missing."
"When?"
"Two hours ago."
Alessio's expression changed.
"He knew we were watching him."
Dante nodded.
"Probably."
Alessio walked into the study.
His desk was open.
Nothing appeared disturbed.
Then he noticed a photograph.
Lily standing beside him.
It had been taken secretly.
On the back were five words.
SHE WAS NEVER THE TARGET.
Alessio stared.
Then he understood.
Lily wasn't being punished for treason.
She was being used as bait.
The real target was him.
And whoever had arranged it knew exactly how to make Alessio Romano destroy the person he loved most.
His phone rang.
An unfamiliar voice whispered:
"Your fiancée is carrying more than your child, Romano."
Alessio's eyes narrowed.
"What does that mean?"
"You'll find out."
The call ended.
For the first time in years, Alessio was genuinely afraid.
May you like
Not for himself.
For what might still be inside Lily's life that he knew nothing about.
