Chapter 5 - The Man Who Kidnapped My Mother Knew a Secret About Me That Even I Had ForgottenWe found the warehouse before midnight.
Vincent brought four men.
I came with him.
He tried to stop me.
I refused.
“You need me.”
“I need you alive.”
“Same thing.”
He stared at me.
Then nodded.
Inside, my mother was tied to a chair.
Marcus Vale stood behind her.
Alive.
Older.
Smiling.
Vincent raised his weapon.
“You.”
Marcus laughed.
“Hello, Vincent.”
“You killed my father.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“I saved him.”
Vincent froze.
Marcus explained.
Daniel Costello had discovered the conspiracy.
He had hidden the ledger.
Marcus had helped him fake his death.
But someone had betrayed them.
That person was Vincent's uncle.
The same man who now controlled half the city's criminal network.
My father had known.
He had helped Daniel.
That's why the ledger ended up with my family.
Then Marcus looked at me.
“Your father didn't just bake bread.”
I said nothing.
“He moved information.”
“What information?”
“Names.”
“Why?”
“To protect people.”
Marcus smiled.
“Your father was a better man than all of us.”
Then gunfire erupted.
The warehouse windows shattered.
Someone had betrayed Marcus.
Vincent pulled me behind cover.
My mother screamed.
Marcus was shot.
Before he fell, he pointed toward a metal door.
“Your father left something for you.”
Vincent dragged us toward it.
Inside was a small room.
A tape recorder sat on the table.
I pressed play.
My father's voice filled the room.
“Nora, if you're hearing this, you are old enough to know the truth.”
I began crying.
“I didn't abandon you.”
“I hid you.”
“Because the people I worked for wanted to use you.”
“Your mother knows everything.”
The recording paused.
Then:
“Vincent Costello's father saved my life.”
I looked at Vincent.
My father continued.
“If Vincent ever comes to you, trust him.”
The tape ended.
Vincent stared at me.
“My father knew yours.”
“Yes.”
“And he trusted me.”
“Yes.”
He looked away.
For the first time, the feared mafia boss looked like a son who had just discovered a piece of his father's life he never knew existed.
Then my mother whispered:
“There is one more thing.”
I turned.
“What?”
She looked at Vincent.
“Your father and mine were trying to protect the same person.”
“Who?”
May you like
She swallowed.
“Vincent's mother.”
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