Chapter 6 - THE FRIEND WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Enzo Caruso had been my closest friend since childhood.
He'd stood beside me through every family war.
Every betrayal.
Every funeral.
Now his vehicle had been identified near the crash that almost killed my daughter.
And I didn't know whether that meant he was protecting her or helping someone hurt her.
"Where is Enzo?" I asked.
Marco looked toward the surgical wing.
"Still recovering."
"Is he conscious?"
"Not yet."
I closed my eyes.
An hour earlier, all I'd wanted was to find the men who shot him.
Now I needed answers from him.
Answers that could destroy our friendship.
Sofia watched me.
"Luca, don't assume the worst."
I looked at her.
"You always did believe people could be good."
She smiled sadly.
"Not everyone."
I sat beside her.
"Did you know Enzo?"
She hesitated.
"Years ago."
My chest tightened.
"How well?"
"He helped me once."
I stared.
"When?"
"After Elena was born."
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
"Enzo knew?"
Sofia lowered her eyes.
"He found us when Elena was six months old."
The room seemed to tilt.
My best friend.
The man I'd trusted with my life.
Had known about my daughter for nearly seventeen years.
"Why didn't he tell me?"
Sofia began crying.
"Because I begged him not to."
I stood.
"Sofia..."
"Please listen."
She wiped her tears.
"Enzo discovered Vittorio had people watching us. He helped move us somewhere safer."
I stared.
"He promised he wouldn't tell you until he could prove who was threatening us."
My voice broke.
"And he never did."
"He tried."
She looked down.
"Every time he got close, someone disappeared or the evidence was destroyed."
I walked toward the window.
Outside, snow covered the city.
I thought about Enzo.
His loyalty.
His silence.
The way he'd sometimes looked at me when I complained about never having children.
I'd thought it was pity.
Now I understood.
He'd been carrying a secret too painful to reveal.
Then Sofia spoke again.
"Luca, Enzo was following us tonight."
I turned.
"What?"
"He called before the crash."
My heart pounded.
"What did he say?"
"He told me someone had discovered Elena's identity."
I stared.
"He told me to take her somewhere safe."
"And?"
"We were driving toward a secure location when another vehicle struck us."
My stomach tightened.
"Then why was Enzo shot?"
Sofia shook her head.
"I don't know."
I looked toward the surgical wing.
Someone had targeted both Elena and Enzo.
Possibly to stop him from exposing the truth.
Then Hannah returned.
"Mr. Mancini?"
I stood.
"Yes?"
"Your friend is awake."
I almost ran.
Enzo lay in intensive care, pale beneath the hospital lights.
A bandage covered his shoulder.
Another rested against his side.
When he saw me, his eyes filled with relief.
"Luca."
I sat beside him.
"You idiot."
He smiled weakly.
"Nice to see you too."
For several seconds, I simply held his hand.
Then I asked:
"Why didn't you tell me about Elena?"
His smile disappeared.
Tears filled his eyes.
"I'm sorry."
My chest tightened.
"Seventeen years, Enzo."
"I know."
"Why?"
He looked toward the door.
Then whispered:
"Because Vittorio promised he'd kill Sofia and the baby if you ever found out."
I closed my eyes.
Enzo gripped my hand.
"Luca, there's something worse."
I looked up.
"What?"
He swallowed.
"Your uncle didn't just arrange the attack tonight."
I felt cold.
May you like
Enzo's next words nearly stopped my heart.
"He ordered your father's murder. And I finally found the man who carried it out."
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