Chapter 7 - THE HUSBAND SHE SWORE TO FORGET
Elena had promised herself she wouldn't rescue Dante Moretti again.
Yet the moment she saw the threat against him, eight years of love fought against eight years of disappointment.
Luca watched her face.
“You still love him.”
Elena looked away.
“That doesn't mean I can stay married to him.”
“I'm not asking you to.”
“Then what are you asking?”
“To help me keep him alive.”
Elena studied the photograph.
The hospital corridor.
The security cameras.
The timestamp.
She noticed something Luca had missed.
The image had been taken from inside the hospital security system.
“Whoever sent this has access to the building,” she said.
Luca frowned.
“Marco?”
“Maybe. Or someone using his credentials.”
She called Rachel.
“I need you to contact the federal investigator we discussed.”
“Why?”
“Because the threat against Dante is immediate.”
Rachel's voice sharpened.
“Elena, where are you?”
“Somewhere safe. For now.”
They arranged to meet at a secure office downtown.
Meanwhile, Dante stood outside Isabella's hospital room.
His phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
If you want your mother alive, sign the transfer papers.
A second message followed.
Your wife already knows what happens when you refuse.
Dante stared.
“Elena?”
He called her immediately.
This time, she answered.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Dante whispered, “Are you safe?”
“Yes.”
He closed his eyes.
“Thank God.”
“Elena, listen. Someone is threatening you.”
“I know.”
His heart stopped.
“Where are you?”
“That's not important.”
“It's important to me.”
She gave a small, humorless laugh.
“It wasn't important last night.”
Dante accepted the blow.
“You're right.”
Silence.
Then he said, “I'm sorry.”
Elena gripped the phone.
For eight years, she'd wanted him to see her.
Now he finally sounded as though he did.
But it had taken losing her.
“Dante, your brother is alive.”
The silence on the other end was absolute.
“What?”
“Luca is with me.”
Dante leaned against the wall.
“That's impossible.”
“No. It's not.”
He struggled to breathe.
“Put him on.”
Luca took the phone.
“Hey, big brother.”
Dante closed his eyes.
For the first time in years, the man everyone feared began to cry.
“Luca?”
“Yeah.”
“Where the hell have you been?”
“Trying to stay alive.”
Luca glanced at Elena.
“Listen carefully. Marco's been compromised.”
Dante turned toward the far end of the corridor.
Marco stood beside the elevator.
Watching him.
“Are you certain?” Dante whispered.
“I have proof.”
Dante lowered the phone.
Marco began walking toward him.
“Boss? Is something wrong?”
Dante forced himself to remain calm.
“No.”
Marco stopped.
“Your mother needs you.”
Dante nodded.
“I'm going back inside.”
But before he could move, Marco whispered something so quietly that only Dante could hear.
“Elena should have stayed in the ballroom.”
Dante froze.
Marco smiled faintly.
Then he added, “Victor wants the ring, Dante.”
May you like
And Dante realized the wedding ring Elena had left behind was never merely a goodbye.
Someone believed it contained something worth killing for.
