Chapter 7 - THE QUEEN RISES
For three days, Chicago believed Clara Falcone was dead.
No body was found.
No official announcement was made.
But rumors spread.
A missing mafia wife.
A mysterious shooting.
A burned vehicle near the lake.
And then the newspapers began calling her—
The Missing Queen.
Matteo refused every interview.
He barely ate.
He barely slept.
He spent his days hunting.
Not Clara.
The people who had taken her.
Then a package arrived.
No return address.
Inside was Clara's wedding photograph.
Across her face, someone had drawn a red line.
Matteo stared at it.
Then he saw the message behind it.
COME ALONE.
A location.
An abandoned theater.
Matteo went.
Frank followed secretly.
The theater was empty.
Dust covered the seats.
A single light illuminated the stage.
Matteo walked toward it.
“Show yourself.”
A woman's voice answered.
“You always were impatient.”
Matteo froze.
Clara stepped from behind the curtain.
Alive.
His knees nearly gave out.
“Clara…”
She looked different.
No jewelry.
No silk gown.
No fear.
She wore black.
Her hair was tied back.
Her eyes were steady.
Matteo walked toward her.
She raised a gun.
“Stop.”
He stopped.
“I thought you were dead.”
“I needed you to.”
“I searched every street.”
“I know.”
“I thought someone killed you.”
“They almost did.”
His face twisted.
“Who?”
“Your father.”
Matteo stared.
“He's alive.”
“I know.”
Matteo looked at her.
“Come home.”
Clara shook her head.
“I don't have a home anymore.”
“You do.”
“No.”
Her voice broke.
“You made sure of that.”
Matteo lowered his eyes.
“I was wrong.”
“That's not enough.”
“I know.”
“I needed you that night.”
He swallowed.
“And I left you.”
“Yes.”
“I will regret it until I die.”
Clara's eyes filled with tears.
“Then live with it.”
She turned.
Matteo stepped forward.
“Wait.”
She stopped.
He whispered,
“I love you.”
Clara closed her eyes.
For one second, she looked like the woman from the ballroom.
Then she turned back.
“I love you too.”
Matteo's heart broke.
“But love isn't enough anymore.”
She walked away.
Matteo stood alone.
Then a phone rang.
Not his.
Clara's.
She answered.
Her expression changed.
“Tell me.”
A pause.
Then she looked directly at Matteo.
“Your brother is alive.”
Matteo froze.
“I don't have a brother.”
Clara whispered,
“You do.”
She hung up.
May you like
Then she said the sentence that changed everything.
“And he's the one who ordered my kidnapping.”
