Chapter 9 - THE THREAT HE NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT
My father had spent three years believing Nico Moretti was protecting me.
I wanted to scream.
Protecting me?
The same man who lied about my father's existence?
The same man who treated my love like a convenience?
The same man who said he'd forget me in four days?
I pulled back.
“Daddy, Nico isn't a hero.”
Daniel nodded.
“I know.”
That surprised me.
He continued.
“He made terrible choices.”
I swallowed.
“Then why defend him?”
“Because I want you to understand the entire truth.”
I looked toward the window.
He took a breath.
“Three years ago, shortly after you met Nico, someone inside the Moretti organization discovered your identity.”
My stomach tightened.
“Who?”
“Victor Bellini.”
The same man connected to Lucia's disappearance.
Daniel continued.
“Victor believed I had kept copies of the financial records.”
I stared.
“Had you?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Margaret hid them.”
My heart raced.
He looked toward my necklace.
“The locket.”
I covered it with my hand.
Daniel nodded.
“Exactly.”
Then he continued.
“Victor threatened to find you unless Nico helped him recover the evidence.”
I felt sick.
“And Nico?”
“He refused.”
I stared.
“He refused?”
“Yes.”
Daniel swallowed.
“He arranged for security around you and began searching for the records himself.”
I closed my eyes.
For three years, Nico had been protecting me from a threat I didn't know existed.
But that didn't excuse the lies.
Or the cruelty.
Or the way he'd treated me.
My father seemed to understand.
“Protection without honesty can become another kind of prison,” he said quietly.
Tears filled my eyes.
I nodded.
“That's exactly what it felt like.”
Daniel squeezed my hand.
Then his expression grew serious.
“There's something else.”
I looked up.
“What?”
“Victor Bellini never worked alone.”
My stomach tightened.
“Who helped him?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Someone inside Nico's closest circle.”
Arthur.
The lieutenant who had defended me the night I left.
The man who called Nico out for his cruelty.
The man who seemed to understand how much I'd sacrificed.
I felt sick.
“Arthur?”
Daniel's expression changed.
“You know him?”
I nodded.
“He's Nico's lieutenant.”
My father closed his eyes.
Then whispered:
“Arthur Bellini.”
I stared.
“Bellini?”
Daniel nodded.
“Victor's son.”
My heart stopped.
Arthur had never told me his last name.
Not once.
I'd known him only as Arthur.
The man who brought me tea when Nico worked late.
The man who reassured me whenever Nico disappeared.
The man who told me Nico loved me even when he couldn't say it.
Now I understood why he seemed to know everything.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from Arthur.
Hannah, Nico is falling apart. Please call me.
I stared at the screen.
Another message arrived.
Your father is safe for now.
My blood turned cold.
How did Arthur know where I was?
May you like
Then came the final message.
“Bring me the locket, and your father will stay alive.”
