Chapter 12 - THE WOMAN WHO DIED TWICE
Lorenzo stared at Valentina.
“What did you say?”
“Your wife.”
“My wife is dead.”
“No.”
“You were at her funeral.”
“So was Victor.”
Lorenzo’s face went white.
Sophia watched his entire world shift.
“What happened to her?” he asked.
Valentina struggled to breathe.
“She discovered what Victor was doing. She wanted to take Emma and leave.”
Lorenzo gripped the edge of the seat.
“Her car went over a bridge.”
“That was the story.”
“Where is she?”
“I don’t know.”
Sophia stepped closer.
“Valentina.”
“I swear.”
“Then why did you say she’s the password?”
“Because Lorenzo’s father helped her disappear.”
Lorenzo looked furious now.
“My father let me think my wife was dead?”
“He thought Victor would kill her if anyone knew.”
Lorenzo whispered, “Her name.”
“Sabrina.”
“I know my wife’s name.”
“Her real name.”
Lorenzo stopped.
Valentina said, “Sabrina Rose DeLuca.”
Lorenzo entered SABRINAROSEDELUCA.
ACCESS GRANTED.
The drive opened.
Hundreds of encrypted folders appeared.
Bank transfers.
Government contacts.
Videos.
And one folder labeled FOR LORENZO.
He opened it.
His father appeared on-screen.
Older.
Sick.
Afraid.
“Lorenzo, if you’re watching this, then I failed.”
Lorenzo’s hands shook.
“For thirty years, Victor used our shipping company to move weapons, stolen art, narcotics, cash, and people. I told myself I could control him. I was wrong.”
Sophia glanced at Mia.
She covered her daughter’s ears.
The video continued.
“I tried to protect you by keeping you ignorant. All I did was leave you surrounded by lies.”
Lorenzo closed his eyes.
Then his father said something that changed everything.
“Sabrina is alive.”
Lorenzo stopped breathing.
“She is under federal protection. Victor believes she died. Never search for her unless Victor’s network has been destroyed.”
A coordinate appeared on-screen.
Then another message.
“If Victor discovers this archive, he will go after Emma.”
Lorenzo snapped his head up.
Sophia’s phone rang.
Rosa.
Lorenzo answered.
“Rosa?”
Crying.
“Mr. Moretti…”
His face changed.
“What happened?”
“They came through the safe-room wall.”
Sophia felt cold.
“Who?”
“Carlo.”
Lorenzo stood.
“Where is Emma?”
Rosa sobbed.
“He took her.”
Mia grabbed Sophia’s hand.
Lorenzo’s phone beeped.
Incoming message.
A photograph of Emma.
Carlo held a gun against the back of her head.
Below it were four words.
May you like
YOUR DAUGHTER FOR THE DRIVE.
---
