The Mafia Boss Watched Her Dance With His Brother—Then She Slipped Him a Bloody Note
Chapter 2
Luca didn’t open the note immediately.
That was the first decision that saved his life.
He slipped it into his jacket and continued standing beside the balcony as if nothing had happened.
Across the ballroom, Matteo was laughing with several guests.
Alive.
Relaxed.
Completely unaware.
Luca watched him.
His younger brother had always lived differently.
Matteo loved fast cars, expensive restaurants, women who knew his name, and parties where nobody asked questions.
Luca had spent most of his adult life cleaning up Matteo’s mistakes.
But Luca had never suspected that someone wanted him dead.
He turned toward his lieutenant, Vincent Russo.
“Clear the north corridor.”
Vincent frowned.
“Why?”
“Just do it.”
“Is there a problem?”
Luca looked at him.
“Do I look worried?”
Vincent immediately turned.
“No.”
“Then move.”
Within thirty seconds, two men quietly disappeared toward the corridor.
Luca entered a private study.
He locked the door.
Only then did he remove the note.
The paper was soaked at one corner.
The blood wasn’t ink.
Luca unfolded it.
Three words were written inside.
Ask about Gabriel.
Below them was an address.
Luca recognized it.
An abandoned warehouse near the Chicago River.
He stared at the handwriting.
He had seen it before.
Years ago.
On letters from someone who no longer existed.
He pulled out his phone.
“Find Gabriel Moretti.”
Vincent answered immediately.
“Who?”
“Elena’s father.”
There was silence.
“We thought he died.”
“So did I.”
“I’ll check.”
Luca ended the call.
His phone rang thirty seconds later.
“Boss.”
“What?”
“Gabriel Moretti died eight years ago.”
“I know.”
“There is no recent record.”
“Look deeper.”
Vincent hesitated.
“Why?”
“Because someone just told me he’s alive.”
Another pause.
“Understood.”
Luca returned to the ballroom.
Matteo approached him.
“There you are.”
Luca studied his brother.
“What?”
“You’ve been disappearing all night.”
“I’m working.”
“At a party?”
“Especially at a party.”
Matteo laughed.
“You need a vacation.”
Luca looked at him.
“Where are you going after this?”
“Home.”
“Alone?”
Matteo smiled.
“Probably not.”
Luca didn’t smile.
“Don’t go anywhere tonight.”
Matteo’s expression changed.
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one you’re getting.”
Matteo stared at him.
Then Elena appeared behind him.
“Matteo.”
He turned.
She smiled.
“I need some air.”
“I’ll come.”
“No.”
The answer came too quickly.
Matteo frowned.
Elena corrected herself.
“I mean… I need a moment alone.”
Luca watched her.
Matteo shrugged.
“Okay.”
Elena walked toward the balcony.
Luca followed several seconds later.
She stood beneath the cold night air.
“You read it.”
It wasn’t a question.
“Who is Gabriel?”
“My father.”
“He’s dead.”
“No.”
Luca’s eyes narrowed.
“He died eight years ago.”
“He disappeared eight years ago.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
Elena looked at the city lights.
“He was a lawyer.”
“I know.”
“He worked for your family.”
“I know.”
“He discovered something.”
“What?”
She looked at him.
“Your father ordered a murder.”
Luca’s face became still.
“My father died six years ago.”
“I know.”
“What murder?”
“My father’s.”
Luca stared.
Elena continued.
“Gabriel found evidence that your father had ordered him killed.”
Luca’s jaw tightened.
“Then why didn’t he?”
“Because someone warned him.”
“Who?”
Elena’s eyes filled with fear.
“I don’t know.”
“Then how do you know he’s alive?”
“Because I saw him.”
“When?”
“Three nights ago.”
Luca stepped closer.
“Where?”
Elena whispered:
“In the basement of this building.”
Luca’s eyes moved toward the ballroom.
“You’re saying your father was here?”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“He was being held here.”
Luca felt something cold move through him.
“By whom?”
Elena’s voice cracked.
“Your brother.”
Luca stared at her.
“Matteo?”
Elena nodded.
“He doesn’t know I’m helping you.”
“Then why are you dancing with him?”
“Because he believes I trust him.”
Luca looked through the glass doors.
Matteo was laughing with a woman.
Elena whispered:
“He has five hours.”
“Until what?”
“Until they kill my father.”
