Chapter 6 - THE UNCLE SHE WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO MEET
Lorenzo Bianca had faced armed rivals, federal investigations, and enemies who wanted his empire destroyed.
But nothing had prepared him for Rosie Hastings standing in front of him with tears in her eyes.
"Tell me everything," she demanded.
He looked toward the crowded ballroom.
"Not here."
Rosie folded her arms.
"Then find somewhere private."
Lorenzo studied her.
Most people became submissive when he spoke.
Rosie became more stubborn.
Something about that reminded him painfully of his father.
They entered an unused conference room.
Rosie closed the door.
"Start talking."
Lorenzo remained standing.
"Michael Hastings is my brother."
"I know."
His eyes widened slightly.
"Antonella told you?"
"Enough."
Lorenzo took a slow breath.
"I spent seventeen years searching for him."
Rosie stared.
"Seventeen?"
"After I took control of the family business, I reopened the investigation into his disappearance."
"And you found him?"
"Six years ago."
Rosie's heart slammed.
"Six years?"
"He was living under another name."
"Where?"
"Milwaukee."
She stared at him.
Milwaukee.
Less than two hours from Chicago.
Her father had been that close.
"Why didn't he come home?"
Lorenzo's expression darkened.
"Because he believed you were dead."
Rosie felt the air leave her lungs.
"What?"
"Someone showed him forged death certificates for you and your mother."
Rosie shook her head.
"No."
"He thought everyone he'd loved was gone."
Tears spilled down her cheeks.
Lorenzo continued.
"By the time I found him, Michael had disappeared again. He'd discovered someone was following him."
Rosie pressed a hand against her chest.
"So you've never actually spoken to him?"
"Not face-to-face."
"Then how do you know he's alive?"
"Because he sends messages."
Lorenzo removed his phone.
He opened a photograph of a small wooden toy horse.
Rosie stared.
"I know that."
"Your father made it."
Her voice cracked.
"He made one for me when I was little."
Lorenzo nodded.
"Every year on your birthday, he sends a photograph of another toy horse."
Rosie began crying harder.
"Why?"
"He wants someone to know he's still alive."
She wiped her cheeks angrily.
"Then why send the photograph to me now?"
Lorenzo hesitated.
"I don't think Michael sent it."
Rosie looked up.
"Who did?"
"Someone who wants us to look for him."
A knock interrupted them.
Mateo entered.
His usually relaxed expression had disappeared.
"Boss, there's a problem."
Lorenzo turned.
"What?"
"Dante's missing."
Rosie felt cold.
Mateo continued.
"His office was cleared overnight. Bank accounts emptied. His phone abandoned near Lower Wacker."
Lorenzo's jaw tightened.
"Find him."
Mateo nodded.
Then looked toward Rosie.
"There's something else."
"What?"
"The two million dollars Dante claimed were missing?"
Lorenzo narrowed his eyes.
"Yes?"
Mateo swallowed.
"They weren't stolen."
Rosie looked between them.
"Then where did they go?"
Mateo placed a financial report on the table.
"The money was transferred to a private medical facility."
Lorenzo went still.
"Whose account?"
May you like
Mateo looked at Rosie.
"Michael Hastings."
