Chapter 5 - The Man Behind Moretti
The truth was hidden beneath St. Jude’s.
Literally.
Nolan Pierce had maintained a private storage locker in the hospital’s abandoned basement archive, an area scheduled for demolition.
Inside were six years of evidence.
Marcus Carter had not merely uncovered financial theft.
He had uncovered a conspiracy.
Gabriel’s father, Vittorio Moretti, had supposedly died of a heart attack seven years earlier. Gabriel inherited the family organization and spent years believing his father’s enemies had slowly dismantled the legitimate side of their empire.
Marcus discovered otherwise.
Vittorio had been murdered.
The person responsible had then manipulated Gabriel into taking control.
His uncle.
Salvatore Moretti.
“He raised me,” Gabriel said.
Sheree watched him from across the archive room.
“He used you,” Anthony replied.
Salvatore had spent years manufacturing wars between criminal factions, profiting from the chaos while keeping Gabriel occupied.
Marcus discovered the financial trail.
Nolan helped him.
Anthony had secretly attempted to protect him.
They failed.
“Why didn’t you tell Gabriel?” Sheree asked.
Anthony looked ashamed.
“Marcus asked me not to. He believed Gabriel’s phones, house, and security were compromised.”
Gabriel’s expression was stone.
“He was right.”
Sheree opened another folder.
Inside were photographs of Salvatore meeting judges, police officials, and businessmen.
Then one photograph changed everything.
Matteo.
Gabriel’s missing brother.
He was shaking Salvatore’s hand.
Gabriel stared at it.
“No.”
Anthony said nothing.
Sheree understood immediately.
“You think Matteo betrayed you.”
Gabriel closed the folder.
“I think photographs can lie.”
It was the first time Sheree saw him choose hope over suspicion.
That night they returned to the penthouse.
Gabriel stood alone beside the windows.
Sheree approached.
“You should rest.”
“So should you.”
“I’m not the one who got stabbed.”
“You were nearly thrown from a second-story window.”
“Technically, I almost jumped.”
He looked at her.
“Do you joke when you’re frightened?”
“Constantly.”
“Why?”
“Cheaper than therapy.”
Gabriel smiled faintly.
Then Sheree noticed his hands.
They were trembling.
She had never seen that before.
“Gabriel.”
He looked away.
“I spent seven years becoming the man I thought my father needed me to be.”
“And?”
“What if the entire reason was a lie?”
Sheree stood beside him.
“Then you decide who you are without the lie.”
His gaze moved to her.
“You make that sound simple.”
“It isn’t.”
She touched his hand.
This time he did not pull away.
Gabriel’s fingers closed around hers.
Neither spoke.
Then his phone rang.
Anthony.
They had located Matteo.
Alive.
An abandoned meatpacking facility near the river.
Gabriel immediately moved.
Sheree blocked him.
“You’re injured.”
“He’s my brother.”
“And rushing into a trap worked wonderfully last time.”
“I’m going.”
“Then I’m coming.”
“No.”
“Gabriel—”
“No.”
She glared.
He leaned closer.
“You already saved one Moretti this week. Your quota is filled.”
Then, unexpectedly, he kissed her forehead.
Sheree forgot every argument she had prepared.
Gabriel left.
Three hours passed.
Then four.
At 4:17 a.m., Anthony called.
They had found Matteo.
Alive.
But Gabriel had disappeared.
Sheree’s stomach dropped.
“What do you mean disappeared?”
“The building was rigged. Lights went out. Someone separated us.”
“Salvatore?”
“We think so.”
Then another call came through.
Unknown number.
Sheree answered.
“Hello?”
Gabriel breathed on the other end.
“Sheree.”
Her knees weakened.
“Where are you?”
“I don’t know.”
His voice was strained.
“Listen carefully. They’re coming for the drive.”
“We copied it.”
“They don’t know that.”
“What do you need me to do?”
“Nothing.”
“Try again.”
A faint laugh.
Then he whispered, “I need you to stay alive.”
The call disconnected.
Ten minutes later, a video arrived.
Gabriel was tied to a chair.
Blood ran from his mouth.
Behind him stood an older man with silver hair.
Salvatore Moretti.
He looked directly into the camera.
“Bring me Marcus Carter’s files before midnight.”
May you like
He placed a gun against Gabriel’s head.
“Or the man you dragged out of the snow dies exactly where his father did.”
Related Stories
