Chapter 5 - THE MAN WHO SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEADMatteo Castellano did not look like a monster.
That was the first thing Emma noticed.
He looked like an aging businessman.
Expensive coat.
Silver hair.
Calm eyes.
But Dominic's entire body had gone rigid.
"You murdered my father."
Matteo smiled sadly.
"No."
"Then why did you disappear?"
"Because someone wanted me dead."
"Who?"
"Your grandfather."
Dominic's expression hardened.
"You're lying."
"I expected you to say that."
Matteo reached into his coat.
Every weapon in the room lifted.
He slowly removed a photograph.
Then another.
Then a document.
He placed them on the floor.
"Your father discovered that your grandfather had been laundering money through shell companies."
Dominic stared.
"Impossible."
"Read."
He did.
The records showed millions transferred through companies that had eventually disappeared.
Some funds had gone to politicians.
Others to offshore accounts.
And one name appeared repeatedly.
Isabella Castellano.
Dominic's hidden aunt.
"Who is Isabella?"
Matteo looked at him.
"Your father's sister."
"Why have I never heard of her?"
"Because she was imprisoned."
"For what?"
"She took the blame for your grandfather."
Dominic's face changed.
Emma looked at her mother.
"You knew?"
Diane nodded.
"I was an accountant."
"You worked for them?"
"Yes."
"And you kept this secret?"
"I was twenty-two."
Diane began crying.
"I was terrified."
Matteo stepped closer.
"Your mother didn't create the secret, Emma."
He looked at Dominic.
"Your family did."
Dominic stared at the documents.
"Where is Isabella?"
"Alive."
"Where?"
"Upstate."
"Take me to her."
Matteo shook his head.
"Not yet."
Dominic raised his gun.
Matteo didn't flinch.
"If you kill me, you'll never learn the truth."
The room went silent.
Finally, Dominic lowered the weapon.
"Where is she?"
"Safe."
"You're going to take us."
Matteo smiled.
"I knew you would eventually become your father."
The following night, Dominic took Emma with him.
She protested.
"You don't have to come."
"I want to."
"You could be in danger."
"So could you."
He looked at her.
"This is my problem."
Emma shook her head.
"No."
"What?"
"You said they attacked me because of you."
"Yes."
"Then this is partly my problem too."
Dominic stared at her.
Nobody talked to him like that.
Not anymore.
"You're stubborn."
"So I've been told."
A faint smile appeared.
"By me?"
"Constantly."
For the first time, Dominic laughed.
It was quiet.
Almost unfamiliar.
Emma smiled.
The moment lasted only seconds.
Then the convoy stopped.
Gunfire erupted.
Dominic pulled Emma down.
Cars swerved.
Men shouted.
The night exploded.
When the shooting stopped, Matteo was gone.
So was Marco.
Dominic immediately stood.
"Marco!"
No answer.
Emma grabbed his arm.
"Dominic."
He turned.
"There's blood."
A trail led into the woods.
Dominic followed.
They found Marco wounded but alive.
"Boss."
"Where's Matteo?"
"Taken."
"By whom?"
Marco coughed.
"Kolov."
Dominic's expression became deadly.
"He took Matteo?"
Marco nodded.
"And he left a message."
He handed Dominic a small envelope.
Inside was a photograph of Emma's mother.
Then one of Emma.
Then one of Iris-like family portraits?
Wait—there was no child.
Instead, it was Emma as a little girl standing beside her mother.
On the back:
THE GIRL WAS NEVER RANDOM.
Emma stared.
"What does that mean?"
Dominic looked at her.
"I don't know."
Marco whispered:
"Boss..."
He pointed toward the road.
A black SUV had stopped in the distance.
Someone stepped out.
A man wearing a dark coat.
Viktor Kolov.
He looked directly at Dominic.
Then he smiled.
"Castellano."
Dominic raised his weapon.
Kolov raised both hands.
"I didn't come to fight."
"Then why are you here?"
"Because your enemy isn't me."
He pointed toward Emma.
"Your enemy is the person who has been protecting her."
Emma felt the world tilt.
"Who?"
May you like
Kolov smiled.
"Her mother."
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