Chapter 8 - Adrian’s Mother Had Been Watching From the Beginning
Adrian Moretti’s mother was supposed to be in Florence.
She had lived there for nine years.
Lucia Moretti.
Seventy-one.
Elegant.
Widowed.
Publicly detached from the family’s criminal world.
Adrian spoke to her every Sunday.
She criticized his suits.
Asked about his blood pressure.
Complained he never visited.
And according to Miguel, she had Anthony.
“Why?” Adrian asked.
Miguel tried to sit up.
“Because Isabella trusted her.”
That changed everything.
Lucia wasn't the kidnapper.
She was the guardian.
Vincent had discovered the Vermont farmhouse.
Lucia moved Anthony before Vincent’s men arrived.
“Where?”
“I don't know.”
Miguel coughed.
“But she sent me to watch Sophia.”
Elena stared.
“You watched us because of Lucia?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you contact me?”
Miguel looked at her.
And for the first time, five years of absence entered the room between them.
“Because everyone who came near me got threatened.”
“You let me think you abandoned us.”
“I know.”
“I gave birth alone.”
His face broke.
“I know.”
“You knew Sophia?”
“From photographs.”
Elena wanted to hit him.
Hug him.
Leave.
Stay.
She did none.
Miguel continued.
He had spent years moving between safe houses while gathering evidence.
Isabella had asked him to keep Elena and Sophia out of the Moretti world.
Then Isabella died.
Lucia took over Anthony’s protection.
Mrs. Bellini protected information inside the mansion.
Reynolds buried medical clues.
A small secret alliance.
Each person knew only part.
“Why return now?” Adrian asked.
“Because Vincent started killing the network.”
One safe-house manager disappeared.
An attorney died in a staged accident.
Then somebody poisoned Adrian.
Vincent wanted the succession clear before Anthony’s existence surfaced.
But if Vincent wasn't the mastermind Isabella described, who controlled him?
Miguel answered.
“Your mother knows.”
Adrian called Lucia.
No answer.
Again.
Nothing.
Then Sophia picked up Titan’s collar.
“There’s another thing.”
Everyone stared.
She pushed a fingernail beneath the inside seam.
A microSD card fell out.
Dante almost laughed.
“I’m replacing that collar.”
The card contained one recent video.
Lucia Moretti appeared on screen.
No makeup.
No elegant jewelry.
Terrified.
“Adrian, if you see this, Vincent reached Boston sooner than expected.”
Behind her stood a boy.
Anthony.
Seven years old.
Watching carefully.
Adrian stopped breathing.
Lucia placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder.
“This is your son.”
Anthony looked directly at the camera.
“Hi, Dad.”
Adrian covered his face.
Nobody spoke.
Lucia continued.
“I know you hate secrets now. You should. But if Isabella had told you she was pregnant, Vincent would have learned within hours.”
She explained that Isabella uncovered the family leak after Anthony was conceived.
Lucia helped fake records and hide the child.
Then Isabella discovered the true mastermind.
Not Vincent.
Not Reynolds.
A man Adrian trusted from childhood.
Lucia spoke the name.
“Dante Russo.”
The room went silent.
Elena looked at Dante.
He looked genuinely stunned.
“No.”
The video continued.
“If Dante is standing beside you, do not confront him.”
Dante stepped backward.
Adrian’s hand moved toward his weapon.
Elena said:
“Wait.”
Lucia continued.
“Because I don't know if Dante is the traitor…”
Everyone froze.
“…or his brother.”
Dante whispered:
“My brother is dead.”
Lucia looked into the camera.
“No, Dante.”
Then she revealed the final secret.
May you like
“Matteo Russo has been alive for twelve years.”
And somebody had been using Dante’s identity to enter the Moretti mansion.
