Chapter 1 - He Came Home With Roses for His Fiancée—Then a Crying Little Girl Begged Him to Save Her Mother
Lorenzo Moretti came home three hours early carrying white roses for the woman he planned to marry.
He never made it past the foyer.
A six-year-old girl came running from the east hallway with one shoe missing, her braid half undone and tears streaking her face.
She crashed into him and wrapped both arms around his waist.
“Please save my mama.”
Lorenzo went completely still.
He recognized her as Lena Bellini, the daughter of one of his household employees.
“What happened?”
“The pretty lady hurt Mama.”
His grip tightened around the roses.
“The pretty lady” could mean only one person.
His fiancée, Valentina Ricci.
Lena’s voice broke.
“She said if Mama tells, she’ll take her away. She said she can make Mama disappear.”
The roses slipped from Lorenzo’s hand.
White petals scattered across the marble.
“Where is your mother?”
Lena pointed toward Valentina’s private rooms.
Lorenzo crouched.
For a man who terrified half of Chicago, he was unexpectedly gentle when he spoke to the child.
“Listen to me.”
Lena sniffed.
“I’m going to bring your mother back.”
“Promise?”
Lorenzo had learned long ago not to make promises casually.
Especially to children.
“Yes.”
He stood.
“Marco.”
His head of security appeared from the adjoining corridor.
“Boss?”
“Stay with Lena.”
The girl grabbed Lorenzo’s sleeve.
“No.”
He looked down.
“Please.”
Her lower lip trembled.
“Don’t leave Mama.”
“I’m not leaving her.”
“Valentina said nobody can stop her.”
Lorenzo’s expression changed.
“Valentina was mistaken.”
Lena released him.
Lorenzo walked down the corridor.
The door ahead stood slightly open.
Before he reached it, he heard a frightened woman’s voice.
“I won’t say anything. Please. Just leave Lena alone.”
Valentina answered softly.
“Then stop pretending you have a choice.”
Lorenzo stopped outside the door.
Sophia Bellini spoke again.
“I brought tea. That is all.”
“And you listened.”
“I heard a phone call.”
Silence.
Then Valentina’s heels crossed the floor.
“You are staff,” she said. “You clean rooms. You wash glasses. You do not carry secrets out of them.”
Sophia’s voice trembled.
“But if what I heard means Mr. Moretti is in danger—”
A sharp sound came from inside.
Sophia gasped.
Lorenzo’s jaw tightened.
Then Valentina lowered her voice.
“If you speak to Lorenzo, your daughter becomes a problem I will solve.”
Lorenzo’s hand closed around the door.
He pushed it open.
The room became silent.
Valentina stood beside a velvet chair.
Sophia was on the floor.
One hand pressed against her cheek.
A broken teacup lay near her knees.
Blood marked the corner of her mouth.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Valentina recovered first.
“Lorenzo.”
Her voice transformed instantly.
Warm.
Surprised.
Loving.
“What are you doing home?”
Lorenzo looked at Sophia.
Not Valentina.
“Sophia.”
She tried to stand.
“I’m fine, sir.”
“No.”
His voice was quiet.
That frightened Valentina more than shouting would have.
Lorenzo crossed the room and offered Sophia his hand.
She hesitated.
Not because she feared him.
Because she feared what accepting it might mean.
He understood.
So he didn’t grab her.
He waited.
Sophia finally placed her hand in his.
He helped her stand.
Her cheek was already turning red.
“What happened?”
“Nothing.”
Valentina smiled quickly.
“Exactly. It was a misunderstanding.”
Lorenzo looked at Sophia.
“Your daughter is in the foyer crying because she believes someone is going to make you disappear.”
Sophia’s face lost color.
“Lena?”
“She’s safe.”
Sophia tried to move toward the door.
Valentina stepped forward.
Lorenzo turned his head.
One look stopped her.
“Sophia,” he said, “go to your daughter.”
Valentina laughed nervously.
“Lorenzo, surely we should discuss—”
“Not yet.”
Sophia looked between them.
“Sir—”
“Go.”
She left.
Lorenzo waited until the door closed.
Then he looked at Valentina.
“What phone call?”
Her expression changed.
“What?”
“The phone call Sophia overheard.”
“I have no idea.”
“I heard you.”
Valentina’s mouth tightened.
“You were listening outside my door?”
“I was listening to you threaten a six-year-old child.”
“I didn’t threaten her.”
“You said she would become a problem you could solve.”
“She misunderstood.”
“She wasn’t in the room.”
Valentina froze.
Lorenzo stepped closer.
“Sophia heard you.”
“She's lying.”
“Why?”
“Because she hates me.”
“Why?”
“Because I expect standards.”
Lorenzo stared at her.
Valentina folded her arms.
“Your staff has become disrespectful because you indulge them.”
“I pay them.”
“You treat them like family.”
“Some have been here longer than you.”
“That is exactly the problem.”
Lorenzo said nothing.
Valentina continued, increasingly angry.
“This was supposed to become my home.”
“It was.”
“Was?”
The word escaped before she could stop it.
Lorenzo looked at her.
“Tell me about the call.”
She shook her head.
“There was no call.”
“You have one opportunity.”
“For what?”
“To tell me the truth before I discover it without you.”
Valentina’s face hardened.
“There is nothing to discover.”
Lorenzo nodded once.
“All right.”
He turned.
Her confidence returned.
“Where are you going?”
“To discover it without you.”
“Lorenzo.”
He stopped at the door.
“You should pack.”
Valentina stared.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“You’re throwing me out because a maid cried?”
“No.”
He turned.
“I’m removing you from my house because you threatened her daughter.”
“You cannot be serious.”
“I am.”
“We’re getting married in five weeks.”
“Not anymore.”
Silence.
Valentina actually laughed.
“You don’t mean that.”
Lorenzo removed something from his pocket.
A small velvet box.
Valentina stared.
Her wedding band.
He had collected it from the jeweler that afternoon.
That was why he had come home early.
The roses.
The ring.
Dinner reservations.
He had planned to surprise her.
Now he looked at the box for a moment.
Then placed it on the table.
“You’re right.”
Hope flashed across her face.
Then Lorenzo continued.
“I should have ended this before today.”
Her smile disappeared.
“Lorenzo.”
“Pack.”
“You’ll regret humiliating my family.”
“Is that a threat?”
She said nothing.
“Because after what I heard through that door, I recommend choosing your next sentence carefully.”
Valentina’s eyes filled.
Not with sadness.
Rage.
“You think Sophia is innocent?”
“I think you hit her.”
“She was spying.”
“She brought you tea.”
“She listened to a private conversation.”
“What conversation?”
Valentina realized the mistake.
Too late.
Lorenzo’s eyes sharpened.
“So there was one.”
Her face went pale.
He stepped closer.
“Who were you speaking to?”
“Nobody.”
“Wrong answer.”
She grabbed his arm.
“Lorenzo, listen to me.”
He looked at her hand.
She released him.
“I love you.”
“No.”
The certainty in his voice shocked her.
“You love what marrying me gives your family.”
“That’s cruel.”
“It may also be true.”
“You don’t know anything.”
“Then explain.”
She couldn't.
Lorenzo opened the door.
“Marco.”
His security chief appeared.
“Have Miss Ricci’s belongings packed.”
Valentina’s face went white.
“You wouldn’t dare.”
Lorenzo looked at Marco.
“Her personal security can collect her at the south gate.”
“You can’t do this!”
“I already did.”
“Lorenzo!”
He walked away.
Valentina screamed after him.
“You have no idea what that woman heard!”
Lorenzo stopped.
The entire corridor seemed to stop with him.
Slowly, he looked back.
Valentina realized she had made another mistake.
“What did she hear?”
Valentina said nothing.
Lorenzo walked back.
She stepped away.
“What did Sophia hear?”
“I was angry.”
“Answer me.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“If it doesn’t matter, tell me.”
Silence.
Lorenzo’s expression became frighteningly calm.
“Marco.”
“Yes?”
“Nobody from the Ricci family enters this property.”
Valentina stared.
“Lorenzo—”
“And Valentina does not leave until her rooms are searched.”
“You cannot imprison me.”
“You are free to leave.”
He looked around.
“Your belongings are not.”
Her mouth opened.
Then closed.
Lorenzo walked away.
He found Sophia in the small family sitting room near the kitchen.
Lena was in her arms.
The child had stopped crying.
Barely.
When Lorenzo entered, Lena looked up.
“You found her.”
“I promised.”
Sophia stood quickly.
“You don’t need to stand.”
“Sir, I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“This.”
She gestured helplessly.
“All of it.”
Lorenzo frowned.
“You were assaulted in my home.”
“I shouldn't have listened.”
“You brought tea.”
Sophia looked down.
“How much did you hear?”
She tightened her arms around Lena.
Lorenzo noticed.
“You don’t have to tell me with her here.”
Sophia looked relieved.
He turned toward Marco.
“Can Maria take Lena to the kitchen?”
“No!”
Lena clung to her mother.
Sophia kissed her hair.
“It’s okay.”
“No.”
“Sweetheart.”
Lorenzo crouched again.
“What do you like better, chocolate cake or strawberry?”
Lena stared suspiciously.
“Chocolate.”
“Good answer.”
He looked at Marco.
“Tell Chef Antonio I said she can have the emergency cake.”
Marco blinked.
“The what?”
“The emergency cake.”
“You have an emergency cake?”
“I do now.”
Lena almost smiled.
Marco held out his hand.
“Come on. We’ll investigate.”
Lena looked at Lorenzo.
“Will Mama stay?”
“Yes.”
“You promise?”
“Yes.”
Lena went reluctantly.
When the door closed, Sophia exhaled.
Lorenzo remained standing several feet away.
“What did you hear?”
Sophia looked terrified again.
“Mr. Moretti—”
“Lorenzo.”
She blinked.
“What?”
“If you’re about to tell me someone intends to kill me, formality seems unnecessary.”
Despite everything, she almost smiled.
It vanished quickly.
“I heard Miss Ricci speaking to a man.”
“Name?”
“She called him Matteo.”
Lorenzo went still.
There were many Matteos in Chicago.
Only one mattered.
Matteo Ricci.
Valentina’s older brother.
The man Lorenzo had been negotiating with for months regarding a merger of shipping interests.
“What did they say?”
Sophia looked toward the door.
“Lena really is safe?”
“Yes.”
“Even if something happens to me?”
Lorenzo’s expression changed.
“Nothing is going to happen to you.”
“You can’t promise that.”
“No.”
He considered.
“But I can promise that nobody touches your daughter.”
Sophia studied him.
For the first time, she saw something beneath the reputation.
Not softness.
Something more reliable.
Conviction.
She nodded.
“Miss Ricci said Thursday was the only opportunity.”
Lorenzo’s eyes narrowed.
Thursday.
Tomorrow.
“What opportunity?”
“She said you would be at Pier Seventeen.”
He stopped breathing.
Thursday morning, Lorenzo was scheduled to inspect a new warehouse at Pier Seventeen.
Only six people knew.
Sophia continued.
“She said the security rotation would change at eleven-ten.”
Lorenzo felt cold.
“What else?”
“She said…”
Sophia hesitated.
“What?”
“She said, ‘Make sure the explosion looks like the Russians.’”
Silence.
Lorenzo stared.
Sophia’s voice shook.
“I dropped the spoon.”
“And Valentina heard.”
“Yes.”
“She knew you had listened.”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
“She locked the door.”
Sophia looked at the floor.
“She asked what I heard. I lied.”
“She hit you.”
“Only once.”
“Once is enough.”
Sophia looked at him.
Something in his tone surprised her.
Lorenzo continued.
“Why didn’t you tell security?”
“She said she knew where Lena went to school.”
His jaw tightened.
“She knew my apartment. My sister’s address.”
Sophia’s voice broke.
“She showed me photographs.”
Lorenzo said nothing.
“She said if I told you, I would disappear first. Then Lena would go to relatives. And accidents happen to children too.”
Lorenzo turned away.
For several seconds, Sophia saw only his back.
She had worked in his house for eight months.
She had heard stories.
Lorenzo Moretti had inherited the organization after his father’s death.
He had enemies across three states.
People lowered their voices when saying his name.
But Sophia had never seen him lose control.
He didn't now.
That was worse.
He took out his phone.
“Marco.”
His voice changed.
“Cancel Pier Seventeen.”
Pause.
“Quietly.”
Another pause.
“Lock down communications. Nobody leaves.”
He ended the call.
Sophia swallowed.
“Was it real?”
“Yes.”
“How do you know?”
“Because the security rotation at eleven-ten was changed yesterday.”
Her face paled.
“Who changed it?”
“My fiancée.”
“No.”
“My fiancée doesn’t control security.”
Sophia frowned.
“Then—”
“Exactly.”
Someone inside Lorenzo’s organization had helped her.
He looked at Sophia.
“You saved my life.”
“I overheard something.”
“And told me.”
“Because you came home.”
That bothered him.
If he had returned at the expected time, Sophia might have been gone.
Perhaps permanently.
And Lena?
He refused to finish the thought.
A knock came.
Marco entered.
His face was grim.
“We found something.”
“What?”
“A burner phone.”
“Where?”
“Inside Valentina’s dressing room.”
Sophia closed her eyes.
Marco continued.
“Messages to Matteo. Pier Seventeen. Security schedules.”
Lorenzo nodded.
“And?”
Marco hesitated.
“There’s another contact.”
“Who?”
“Saved only as M.”
“Messages?”
“Several.”
“Read one.”
Marco looked at Sophia.
Lorenzo nodded.
Marco read.
“‘Moretti trusts me completely. Once Lorenzo is gone, the transition will be clean.’”
Sophia covered her mouth.
Lorenzo’s expression didn't change.
“Another.”
Marco scrolled.
“‘The Bellini woman heard too much. Handle her before morning.’”
Silence.
Sophia stopped breathing.
Lorenzo looked at her.
“You and Lena are moving into the secure wing tonight.”
She shook her head immediately.
“No.”
“This is not optional.”
Her face hardened.
Lorenzo caught himself.
Sophia said, “Everything has been optional for powerful people today except what happens to me.”
The words landed.
Lorenzo was silent.
Then he nodded.
“You’re right.”
Marco looked surprised.
Lorenzo continued.
“I’m asking you to move into the secure wing because someone ordered your death and may know your home address. You can refuse.”
Sophia studied him.
“What happens if I refuse?”
“I put security outside your apartment and your daughter’s school.”
“And if I stay?”
“You’ll have guards, private rooms, and nobody enters without your permission.”
Sophia thought.
“Lena stays with me?”
“Yes.”
“Always?”
“Yes.”
“Then we stay.”
Lorenzo nodded.
“Thank you.”
That surprised her.
“For what?”
“Trusting me after what happened in my house.”
Before she could answer, shouting came from the corridor.
Valentina.
“You cannot keep me here!”
She appeared at the doorway with two guards behind her.
Her eyes landed on Sophia.
Hatred.
Pure and immediate.
“You.”
Sophia stepped backward.
Lorenzo moved between them.
Valentina laughed.
“Oh, how touching.”
“Careful.”
“You threw away our marriage for a maid.”
“I ended our engagement because you conspired to murder me.”
Sophia froze.
Valentina did too.
Then she laughed.
“You’re insane.”
Lorenzo held up the burner phone.
Her face changed.
Only for a second.
Enough.
“Where did you get that?”
Wrong question.
Marco almost smiled.
Lorenzo didn't.
“Who is M?”
Valentina stared.
“I don't know.”
“You exchanged forty-three messages.”
“Then why ask me?”
“Because I want to know whether you’ll lie when there’s no reason left.”
Her eyes hardened.
“You think you've won?”
“No.”
“You have no idea what’s happening.”
“Then educate me.”
Valentina looked past him at Sophia.
“She knows nothing.”
Sophia's fear returned.
Valentina smiled.
“Does she?”
Lorenzo stepped closer.
“You look at her again, and this conversation ends.”
“You can't protect everyone.”
“No.”
His voice lowered.
“But tonight I only need to protect two.”
Valentina understood.
Sophia and Lena.
“You always were sentimental.”
Lorenzo stared.
“Who is M?”
Valentina smiled.
Then said four words.
“Ask your little brother.”
Lorenzo went still.
Marco’s face changed.
Sophia saw it.
The one person Lorenzo trusted more than almost anyone.
His younger brother.
Michael Moretti.
Valentina laughed.
“You really didn't know.”
Lorenzo said nothing.
May you like
“Your own brother wants you dead.”
---
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