Chapter 2 - THE SECRET MY MOTHER TOOK TO HER GRAVE
My mother had been dead for seven years.
At least, that was what the hospital had told us.
Now New York's most feared mafia boss was standing beside a limousine, claiming she had died protecting a secret.
"You're lying."
The words came out before I could stop them.
Dante didn't look offended.
"I understand why you'd think that."
"No, you don't."
My voice cracked.
"My mother worked as a nurse. She died in a car accident. That's what happened."
Dante remained silent.
I stepped closer.
"Why are you bringing her into this?"
"Because Catherine Vance worked as a private nurse for my mother before the accident."
I shook my head.
"She never told me."
"She was bound by a confidentiality agreement."
"And you expect me to believe that?"
"No. I expect you to ask questions."
He opened the limousine door.
"There's a photograph inside. You can look at it without going anywhere."
I hesitated.
Then leaned toward the open doorway.
A leather folder rested on the seat.
Inside was a photograph showing my mother standing beside an elegant dark-haired woman in a hospital room.
Mom wore pale blue scrubs.
The other woman sat in a wheelchair.
Behind them stood a teenage boy.
Dante.
I recognized his gray eyes immediately.
My throat tightened.
"That's my mother."
Dante nodded.
"The woman beside her was Isabella Vancel."
"Your mother?"
"Yes."
I touched the photograph.
Mom looked younger than I remembered.
She was smiling.
I hadn't seen that smile in years.
"What happened to her?" I asked.
"She died four months after Catherine."
"I'm sorry."
Dante's expression grew distant.
"Before she died, she told me Catherine had discovered financial records showing that money intended for sick children had been stolen."
I looked up.
"By whom?"
"My father was involved. So were several people who worked for him."
The admission surprised me.
Most powerful men would have protected their family's reputation.
Dante seemed determined to uncover its ugliest secrets.
"Why didn't you investigate sooner?"
"I was nineteen. My father controlled the organization, and I didn't have access to the records."
"And now?"
"Now I do."
A police siren sounded in the distance.
I looked toward the nightclub.
"What does Greg have to do with this?"
"His name appears on the original charity accounts. And now it appears on the account that received Toby's money."
My stomach twisted.
Dante extended his hand.
"Come with me to my office. I'll show you everything."
I stared at him.
"Why should I trust you?"
"You shouldn't. Not yet."
He gestured toward the open limousine.
"You can call someone, share your location, or leave. I'll arrange transportation home if that's what you want."
For the first time that night, I felt as though I had a choice.
I looked at my phone.
Toby had sent me a message.
Ellie, did you eat dinner? Don't forget.
My eyes filled.
He was the one facing surgery.
And he was worried about me.
I looked back at Dante.
"Show me the records."
Twenty minutes later, we entered his private office.
He opened a locked cabinet and removed an old file labeled CATHERINE VANCE.
Inside were photographs, bank records, and a sealed letter.
My name was written across the envelope.
In my mother's handwriting.
My breath caught.
Dante placed it before me.
"I've never opened it."
I unfolded the paper with shaking fingers.
May you like
The first sentence made my heart stop.
Elena, if you're reading this, someone has finally found the truth about your father.
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