CHAPTER 10 — THE HOUSE BY THE SEA
Tomas took them to an abandoned seaside house once owned by Matteo’s mother.
There were no marble floors, no guards at every door, and no servants waiting in the halls.
The roof leaked.
The stove smoked.
The only crib was a wooden drawer padded with blankets.
Nico slept better than he ever had in the mansion.
Matteo did not.
For four nights, he sat at the kitchen table studying Elena’s ledger.
He made lists of officials, accountants, warehouse managers, and companies.
Liana watched him from the doorway.
“You haven’t eaten.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You haven’t slept.”
“I’m not tired.”
“You look terrible.”
“That, I believe.”
She placed a bowl of soup in front of him.
Matteo examined it suspiciously.
“I cooked it.”
“That is what concerns me.”
Liana almost smiled.
“Eat.”
He obeyed.
The fallen mafia boss, who had once controlled judges and police commanders, ate soup because a former maid told him to.
After several bites, he spoke.
“There are enough records here to imprison Carlo.”
“And you?”
Matteo looked at the ledger.
“Me too.”
Liana sat across from him.
“What did you do?”
“Things you would never forgive.”
“Try me.”
He described bribes, threats, stolen contracts, and men beaten under his orders. He did not describe the worst details, but he did not minimize them either.
“I told myself I was protecting my family,” he said. “Every cruel act made the next one easier.”
“And Elena?”
“She saw what I had become.”
“Did she stop loving you?”
“No.”
His voice cracked.
“That was worse.”
Nico began crying in the next room.
They both stood at the same time.
For several seconds, neither moved.
Then Liana went to him.
Matteo followed.
Nico quieted when he saw them together.
“Mama,” he murmured.
Liana’s pain was still there.
But this time, she did not run.
She touched his cheek.
“I’m here.”
Nico turned toward Matteo.
“Da.”
Matteo stared.
Nico smiled proudly.
“Da.”
The man who had faced armed rivals without fear sat down on the floor.
Liana laughed through her tears.
Matteo lifted Nico and held him close.
“My first honest promotion,” he whispered.
Later that night, Matteo contacted the federal prosecutor Elena had trusted.
Prosecutor Evelyn Shaw agreed to meet.
She also delivered a warning.
“There is a traitor with you,” she said through the encrypted phone. “Carlo knows about the seaside property.”
Matteo looked toward Tomas.
Tomas looked toward Dr. Hale.
Then everyone turned as the front door slowly opened.
May you like
Mrs. Bell stepped inside carrying a grocery bag.
“Before you point weapons at an old woman,” she said, “you should know Carlo’s men are six minutes behind me.”
