Chapter 8 - The Man Behind the Mafia Boss
Luca Bellini had been standing beside Antonio Russo for fourteen years.
He'd attended family weddings.
Managed private security.
Handled business negotiations.
And comforted Maria Russo after her husband's death.
Now my mother's recording accused him of helping Vincent Moretti.
Antonio listened without speaking.
His expression remained controlled.
But his hands tightened around the edge of the table.
"Luca," he whispered.
I watched him.
"Did you know?"
He shook his head.
"No."
"Do you believe the recording?"
"I believe we need to verify it."
For the first time, I understood why people feared Antonio.
He didn't explode.
He didn't threaten anyone.
He became frighteningly calm.
He called a trusted attorney and asked that the evidence be preserved.
Then he contacted investigators already working on the Moretti case.
Within hours, they discovered suspicious transfers from companies associated with Luca.
Several payments had been routed through medical suppliers connected to the charities Mom investigated.
Antonio stared at the records.
"He's been stealing from the company."
I looked at him.
"And helping Vincent."
He nodded grimly.
But there was another problem.
Luca had access to Antonio's security systems.
His family's addresses.
Maria's medical schedule.
And every arrangement made to protect Grandma Rose and me.
Antonio immediately notified the appropriate authorities and replaced the compromised security personnel.
Then he turned toward me.
"Sophie, I'm sorry."
I looked up.
"For what?"
"Someone inside my organization may have helped hurt your family."
His voice was quiet.
"I didn't know. But I was responsible for the people I trusted."
I studied him.
For a man with his reputation, admitting responsibility seemed more difficult than ordering someone to obey.
"Thank you for telling me the truth."
He nodded.
Then his phone vibrated.
A message from Maria.
Antonio, please come home. There's a woman here asking for Sophie.
My stomach tightened.
"What woman?"
Antonio called immediately.
His mother answered.
"Sweetheart, she's sitting in the living room."
"Who is she, Mama?"
Maria hesitated.
"She says her name is Isabella Bennett."
I went cold.
Bennett.
My father's surname.
Antonio looked at me.
"Do you know an Isabella Bennett?"
I shook my head.
"No."
Maria continued speaking.
Then Antonio's expression changed.
"What?"
He listened.
Slowly, he lowered the phone.
"Sophie, this woman says she's your father's daughter."
I stared.
"My father's daughter?"
Antonio nodded.
"She says she was born before you."
My heart pounded.
Then he revealed the part that made my knees weaken.
"She claims Daniel sent her to find you."
"And she has a message from him."
May you like
The message contained only seven words.
Sophie, don't trust the man beside you.
