Chapter 5 - THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WAR
Matteo couldn't move.
“You're dead.”
Elena stepped inside.
“So I've heard.”
He lowered the gun slightly.
“Where is Clara?”
“Safe.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere you cannot reach.”
“Why?”
“Because you aren't the only person hunting her.”
Matteo's expression hardened.
“Who is?”
Elena looked at the ledger.
“You.”
Matteo stared at her.
“I would never hurt Clara.”
“You already did.”
Her words struck harder than a bullet.
“You left her in the rain.”
Matteo looked away.
“I made a mistake.”
“You made the same mistake your father made.”
His jaw tightened.
“Don't compare me to him.”
“You became him the moment you decided fear was more important than love.”
Silence.
Elena walked toward the desk.
“Your father built this organization on fear.”
“I destroyed his empire.”
“No.”
She touched the ledger.
“You inherited it.”
Matteo shook his head.
“I changed everything.”
“You changed the faces.”
She turned the ledger toward him.
“Not the system.”
Matteo stared at the names.
“Who has been using my identity?”
Elena answered,
“Your uncle.”
Matteo's eyes narrowed.
“Victor?”
“You remember him?”
“My father said Victor was killed.”
“He lied.”
“Why?”
“Because Victor discovered your father had been stealing from the organization.”
Matteo frowned.
“Stealing?”
“Your father wasn't building an empire.”
Elena lowered her voice.
“He was building a war.”
Matteo looked at her.
“Against whom?”
“Everyone.”
Before he could ask another question, a gunshot came from outside.
Elena ducked.
Frank burst into the room.
“Boss! We have company.”
Matteo grabbed his weapon.
“How many?”
“Ten. Maybe more.”
“Whose men?”
Frank looked toward Elena.
“Falcone.”
Matteo's eyes hardened.
“Take my mother downstairs.”
“No.”
Elena stepped forward.
“This is my fight too.”
Matteo looked at her.
“You disappeared for six years.”
“I was hiding from your father.”
“He's alive.”
“I know.”
Matteo froze.
“You knew?”
“Yes.”
“Where is he?”
Elena's face became cold.
“Closer than you think.”
Another gunshot.
The mansion lights flickered.
Then the power died.
Frank shouted,
“Move!”
The men rushed downstairs.
Outside, black SUVs surrounded the estate.
Matteo looked through the window.
One vehicle door opened.
A man stepped out.
Older.
Gray hair.
Black coat.
Walking with a cane.
Matteo's breath stopped.
He knew that face.
His father.
Alive.
The man looked directly toward the window.
Then he smiled.
Matteo whispered,
“No.”
Elena stepped beside him.
“His name isn't Matteo's father.”
She swallowed.
“His name is Victor Falcone.”
Matteo stared at the man.
“Then who was the man I buried?”
May you like
Elena answered,
“Your uncle.”
