Chapter 8 - The Price of a Mother's LoveLorenzo wanted to go alone.
Elena refused to let him.
“Whoever sent that message knows you're desperate,” she said.
“She is my mother.”
“She might also be the person who destroyed your family.”
Lorenzo stared at her.
“You think I don't know that?”
Elena softened.
“I think you want answers badly enough to ignore the danger.”
He turned away.
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Then Lorenzo said quietly, “I spent twelve years mourning her.”
Elena approached.
“I understand.”
“No, you don't.”
She stopped.
Lorenzo immediately regretted the words.
Elena looked at him.
“I spent seventeen years mourning mine.”
The silence was painful.
Lorenzo lowered his head.
“I'm sorry.”
She nodded.
“I know.”
He reached for her hand.
This time, she let him take it.
The meeting location was an old estate near the Hudson River.
Lorenzo agreed to arrive without visible guards.
But Elena insisted that a backup team remain nearby.
They approached the house at dusk.
Inside, a fire burned in the drawing room.
An elderly woman sat beside the fireplace.
Isabella Moretti.
She looked older than Lorenzo remembered.
Thinner.
More fragile.
But her eyes were unchanged.
“Lorenzo,” she said.
His chest tightened.
“Mother.”
She smiled faintly.
“My beautiful boy.”
He remained standing.
“Why?”
Isabella lowered her eyes.
“Sit down.”
“No.”
She sighed.
“You always were your father's son.”
Lorenzo stepped closer.
“Where is Matteo?”
Isabella's expression changed.
“He's safe.”
“Where?”
“I can't tell you.”
“Then this conversation is over.”
He turned.
Isabella spoke sharply.
“Your brother killed three men.”
Lorenzo stopped.
Elena stared at her.
“What?”
Isabella folded her hands.
“Nine years ago, Matteo discovered what Black Crown was doing. He tried to expose the organization.”
Lorenzo turned slowly.
“What organization?”
“A private network of contractors, financiers, and former intelligence officers. They sold information. They moved money. Sometimes they eliminated people.”
“Who controlled it?”
Isabella looked away.
“Your father was involved.”
Lorenzo felt sick.
“And you?”
She did not answer.
That was answer enough.
Elena stepped forward.
“What happened to my mother?”
Isabella studied her.
“You look so much like Rachel.”
“Where is she?”
“I don't know.”
“Don't lie to me.”
Isabella's face tightened.
“Rachel was one of the few people who tried to stop what happened.”
“What happened?” Elena demanded.
Isabella looked toward Lorenzo.
“Matteo discovered that Black Crown was using medical facilities to hide witnesses and people who had become inconvenient.”
“Northbridge,” Lorenzo said.
“Yes.”
“And my brother?”
“He confronted the men responsible. Three died during the confrontation. Matteo was badly injured.”
Lorenzo's voice trembled.
“So you staged his death?”
“I hid him.”
“From whom?”
Isabella's eyes filled with tears.
“From the people who wanted him executed.”
“Then why didn't you tell me?”
“Because you were already running the family business. They believed you would choose loyalty over your brother.”
Lorenzo stared.
“You didn't trust me.”
“I was trying to protect both of you.”
“You stole nine years of our lives.”
Isabella began crying.
“I know.”
Elena watched her carefully.
Something about the story did not fit.
“If Rachel helped Matteo,” she asked, “why was my father involved?”
Isabella looked at her.
“Robert Vance worked for Black Crown.”
“I know.”
“He was assigned to recover the records Matteo stole.”
“What records?”
“A ledger identifying the people who financed the network.”
Elena's heart pounded.
“The notebook.”
Isabella nodded.
“Your mother copied the information before she disappeared.”
“Where is she now?”
Isabella hesitated.
Then whispered, “Ask your father.”
Lorenzo stepped forward.
“Where is Matteo?”
Isabella closed her eyes.
“He left Northbridge five years ago.”
“Where did he go?”
“I don't know.”
Lorenzo shook his head.
“I don't believe you.”
She opened her eyes.
“Then believe this. Your brother is not the innocent man you remember.”
Before Lorenzo could respond, Elena noticed movement beyond the window.
A dark figure stood among the trees.
Watching.
She touched Lorenzo's arm.
“Enzo.”
He followed her gaze.
The figure disappeared.
Seconds later, an explosion shook the front entrance.
The windows shattered.
Isabella screamed.
Lorenzo threw Elena behind a heavy sofa.
Smoke filled the room.
Armed men entered through the damaged doorway.
Lorenzo drew his weapon.
A brief exchange of gunfire followed.
His security team rushed toward the house.
Elena crawled toward Isabella, who had fallen from her wheelchair.
She helped the older woman behind cover.
Isabella gripped her wrist.
“Listen to me.”
Elena leaned closer.
“Your mother didn't disappear because of Robert.”
“Then why?”
Isabella's voice shook.
“Because she discovered who was really controlling Black Crown.”
“Who?”
Isabella stared at her.
May you like
“Matteo.”
A second explosion drowned out everything.
