Chapter 2 - THE FATHER I WAS TOLD HAD RUN AWAY
For twenty-seven years, I'd believed my father left because he didn't want me.
Now Adrien Moretti was telling me he died before I was born.
I gripped the edge of the counter.
"That's impossible."
Adrien studied me.
"Why?"
"Because my mother said he left."
"Where is your mother?"
My throat tightened.
"She died when I was nineteen."
His expression softened.
"I'm sorry."
I shook my head.
"No. You don't get to walk into my kitchen, tell me my father was murdered, and then act sorry."
Leo Santoro stepped forward.
Adrien raised one hand.
Leo stopped immediately.
Then Adrien looked at me.
"You're right."
The answer surprised me.
"I owe you an explanation."
I stared at him.
"Then start talking."
Adrien glanced toward my employees.
"Not here."
I folded my arms.
"These people are my family."
Kevin straightened.
Our pastry cook, Maria, moved beside me.
Even old Mr. Russo, who washed vegetables every morning despite being seventy-two, crossed his arms.
Adrien studied us.
Then nodded.
"Fair enough."
He took a breath.
"Daniel Caruso worked at the docks. He discovered a shipment that wasn't supposed to exist."
"What shipment?"
"I don't know the full contents. I was fifteen."
I swallowed.
"Then how do you know he was murdered?"
"Because I saw men take him."
The kitchen went silent.
Adrien's face hardened.
"Daniel came to Bellini's Table one evening carrying a leather folder. He told Rosa he needed somewhere safe to hide it."
My heart pounded.
"And?"
"Two men followed him."
I covered my mouth.
"Did they hurt him?"
Adrien lowered his eyes.
"Not inside the restaurant."
My knees weakened.
Maria grabbed my elbow.
Adrien continued.
"Rosa forced me into the storage room. She told me not to come out."
His voice became quiet.
"I watched through a crack in the door."
I could barely breathe.
"Daniel argued with the men. One of them struck him. They dragged him into a black car."
Tears filled my eyes.
"And you never saw him again?"
Adrien shook his head.
"No."
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I asked the question burning inside me.
"Why didn't Grandma tell me?"
Adrien looked toward the photograph.
"Because those men threatened everyone connected to Daniel."
My stomach twisted.
"Who were they?"
He hesitated.
Then answered.
"One worked for my father."
The room went silent.
I stared.
"Your father?"
Adrien nodded.
"Angelo Moretti."
My hands began shaking.
The name meant something.
A former Chicago crime boss.
A man who'd controlled warehouses, trucking companies, and dock contracts before dying in prison.
I looked toward Adrien.
"Then your family killed my father?"
His expression tightened.
"I don't know who ordered it."
"But you know they took him."
"Yes."
I stepped backward.
Suddenly, the silver spoon looked different.
Not like a treasured memory.
Like evidence of a connection that had destroyed my family.
I pointed toward the door.
"Leave."
Adrien didn't move.
"Please."
He studied me.
Then nodded.
"All right."
He picked up his coat.
But before he reached the doorway, he turned.
"There's something else."
I almost screamed.
"What now?"
He looked directly into my eyes.
"Rosa didn't close her restaurant because she ran out of money."
My heart stopped.
"Then why?"
May you like
Adrien's expression darkened.
"Because she paid someone to keep you and your mother alive."
