“Pack Your Things,” the Mafia Boss Snarled—By Midnight, His Wife Had Vanished Without a Trace
Chapter 7
Matteo arrived at the church twenty minutes later.
He had followed the only clue left behind by the woman who called him.
The church doors were open.
He entered with his weapon drawn.
“Isabella?”
No answer.
Then Elena stepped from the shadows.
Matteo stopped.
For a moment, neither moved.
“You’re alive.”
She nodded.
“You found me.”
“No.”
She walked closer.
“My mother did.”
Matteo looked behind her.
Isabella emerged.
Matteo lowered his weapon.
“I thought you were dead.”
“I needed you to believe that.”
“You could have told Elena.”
“I couldn’t.”
Elena looked between them.
“Stop.”
Both turned toward her.
“I want the truth.”
Isabella nodded.
“So do I.”
She looked at Matteo.
“Tell her.”
Matteo swallowed.
“Your mother and my father were investigating a criminal network.”
“I know.”
“Your uncle betrayed them.”
“I know.”
“Elena—”
“And you knew she was alive.”
“Yes.”
“Two years?”
“Yes.”
She stepped back.
“You lied to me.”
“I did.”
“Why?”
“Because every time I considered telling you, another threat appeared.”
“You don’t get to decide what truth I can handle.”
Matteo’s face tightened.
“You’re right.”
Silence.
Elena looked at him.
“Why did you send me away tonight?”
Matteo took out the photograph found beside his lieutenant’s body.
It showed Elena leaving the mansion.
On the back:
WE KNOW WHERE SHE SLEEPS.
He handed it to her.
“I realized they were inside my organization.”
Elena looked at the photograph.
“Who?”
“Gabriel.”
“He kidnapped me.”
“I know.”
“He said you killed people for the ledger.”
Matteo looked at Isabella.
“I killed people who tried to kill my family.”
Elena’s eyes hardened.
“That isn’t an answer.”
“No.”
Matteo stepped closer.
“It isn’t.”
For the first time, he lowered his voice.
“I have done terrible things. I won’t lie to you about that. But I never lied about loving you.”
Elena’s eyes filled.
“Then why didn’t you trust me?”
“Because I was afraid.”
The admission shocked her.
Matteo Belladonna was never afraid.
Except for losing her.
Suddenly, gunfire erupted outside.
The church windows shattered.
Matteo grabbed Elena and pulled her behind the stone wall.
Isabella ducked.
Men stormed through the doors.
Matteo returned fire.
Then one attacker shouted:
“Take the girl alive!”
Elena looked at Matteo.
“They don’t want the ledger.”
Matteo understood.
“They want you.”
