Chapter 16 - THE MAN WHO GAVE HER LIFE|
Nora sat beside Dante's hospital bed while the city woke outside the window.
The bullet had passed through his shoulder, missing the major arteries. The doctors expected him to recover, but he would need surgery and several weeks of rest.
He was still pale when he told her the rest of the story.
Paolo Greco had been a young enforcer when Catherine Bellamy became pregnant. He had been ordered to watch her, but instead he had fallen in love with her. Vittorio had helped Catherine escape the family estate, believing that if she left Sicily, she would be safe.
Greco had followed her to America.
He had not known that Catherine was pregnant until months later.
When Salvatore discovered the relationship, he threatened to kill both of them unless Greco helped retrieve the ledger.
Greco agreed to cooperate, hoping to buy time.
But Catherine discovered the plan and refused to surrender the evidence. She was killed in the staged accident, and Greco disappeared.
“Why would he send flowers to my grandmother?” Nora asked.
Dante looked at her.
“Because he wanted to find out whether she still had the ledger.”
“He knew I was her granddaughter.”
“Yes.”
“And he knew who my mother was.”
“Yes.”
Nora closed her eyes.
The man who had watched her apartment, stolen the bracelet, and threatened her family was her biological father.
She did not know whether to feel rage, grief, or disgust.
“Does he know the DNA results?”
“I don't think so.”
“Then I want to speak to him.”
Dante's expression tightened.
“He's in custody.”
“I know.”
“He may try to manipulate you.”
“Then I will listen carefully.”
He studied her face, then nodded.
The interview took place in a secure room at the courthouse. Greco sat across from Nora with his hands cuffed to the table.
He looked older without the gray cap and the false confidence.
“You look like Catherine,” he said.
“Don't.”
He lowered his eyes.
“I know I have no right to ask for anything.”
“You have no right to tell me who I am.”
He accepted the words.
“I never meant for her to die.”
“But you helped the people who wanted her silenced.”
“Yes.”
“You watched me grow up?”
“From a distance. I paid for your school books. I sent money to your grandmother when she couldn't afford your medical care.”
Nora's hands curled into fists.
“You could have come to us.”
“I was afraid.”
“Everyone was afraid. My grandmother was afraid. My mother was afraid. Aurelio was afraid. You were all so afraid that you let me grow up without a father and a mother.”
Greco began to cry.
Nora felt no satisfaction.
“Why did you threaten me?”
“I needed the ledger. I believed it was the only thing that could keep Salvatore from destroying the family.”
“You were protecting yourself.”
“Yes.”
The answer was honest, and that made it worse.
Nora rose.
“I don't forgive you.”
Greco nodded.
“I understand.”
“I may never forgive you.”
“I understand.”
She turned toward the door.
Then he spoke again.
“There is one thing you should know. Salvatore didn't order the final attack at the terminal.”
Nora stopped.
“Who did?”
Greco looked directly at her.
“Someone who wants Dante dead because he intends to dismantle the Vescari empire.”
He slid a small photograph across the table.
May you like
It showed Marcus Rinaldi speaking to a man outside the hospital.
The man was holding a folder marked with the Vescari family seal.
