Chapter 10 - THE FATHER WHO REFUSED TO DIE
Vittorio Moretti had been dead for eleven years.
At least, that's what Dante believed.
His father had supposedly been murdered during a violent dispute between rival families.
Dante had taken control of what remained of the organization afterward.
He'd spent years reducing its illegal operations while trying to prevent a bloody power struggle.
Now Vittorio's voice filled the locked storage room.
"Hello, Dante."
Dante stared at the intercom.
"You're dead."
Vittorio laughed.
"Clearly not."
Bethany backed away from the door.
Her heart pounded.
"Dante?"
He gently moved her behind him.
"Stay close."
Vittorio continued.
"I see you've finally found your sister."
Bethany clenched her fists.
"Why did you hide me?"
A pause.
Then Vittorio answered.
"Because your mother made an unfortunate decision."
"What decision?"
"She loved the wrong man."
Dante's expression darkened.
"James Carter."
"Exactly."
Bethany felt sick.
Her entire life had apparently been shaped by a powerful man's jealousy.
"Where's Lorraine?" she demanded.
"Safe for now."
Dante interrupted.
"If you've hurt her, I'll find you."
Vittorio laughed.
"You always did inherit your mother's temper."
The intercom crackled.
Then a soft hissing sound filled the room.
Bethany looked toward the ceiling.
A ventilation unit had switched on.
A strange chemical smell spread through the air.
Dante noticed immediately.
"Cover your mouth."
Bethany grabbed two surgical masks from an old supply box.
They were better than nothing.
Dante pulled his phone out.
No signal.
The walls were too thick.
Bethany rushed toward a wall cabinet.
"There's an emergency ventilation shutoff somewhere."
Dante looked at her.
"How do you know?"
"I work in a hospital."
She opened the cabinet.
Inside were electrical controls.
She located the main switch and pulled it.
The ventilation stopped.
But the room had already begun to smell stronger.
Dante forced open a maintenance panel beside the door.
Behind it was an emergency release cable.
He pulled.
The lock clicked.
They stumbled into the corridor.
Fresh air hit Bethany's face.
She coughed violently.
Dante supported her.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded.
"Mostly."
He looked toward the intercom.
Vittorio's voice returned.
"Clever girl."
Bethany straightened.
"Stop calling me that."
A pause.
Then Vittorio laughed.
"Your mother was just as stubborn."
Dante stepped forward.
"Where is she?"
Vittorio's answer was calm.
"Come to Columbus."
"Where?"
"The care facility."
Dante's jaw tightened.
"And if we don't?"
"Then Elena Moretti dies before you see her again."
The line went silent.
Bethany looked at Dante.
He stared toward the dark corridor.
Then whispered something that made her blood run cold.
"He's not threatening my mother."
Bethany frowned.
"What?"
May you like
Dante looked at her.
"He's threatening yours too."
