Chapter 13 - WHAT PRESTON HEARD
Preston stayed beneath the floor long enough to hear everything.
Brenda said Carlo selected the right social events.
He made sure Preston and Audrey met repeatedly.
Brenda encouraged the relationship while pretending to dislike the Bellinis.
She knew opposition would make Preston more determined.
Audrey’s voice came quietly from above.
“Did Preston know?”
“No.”
The answer stunned him.
Then Brenda added, “Not at first.”
Preston’s stomach twisted.
“When did he know?” Audrey asked.
“When he found the trust.”
Preston shut his eyes.
That was true.
He had learned enough to walk away.
Instead, he stayed silent because he feared losing Audrey and feared learning the truth about his father.
His silence gave Brenda room.
He could never excuse that.
A floorboard creaked.
Brenda stopped talking.
“Who’s there?”
Preston moved.
Too late.
The cellar door opened and the missing Bellini guard pointed a gun down the stairs.
It was Marco, a man Rocco had trusted for eleven years.
“Come up slowly.”
Preston obeyed.
Brenda smiled when she saw him.
“My good boy.”
Preston looked at Audrey.
Her face showed no relief.
He did not deserve any.
Brenda handed him a knife.
“Cut her loose when Rocco brings the ledger.”
Preston stared at the knife.
“And then?”
“Then we leave.”
“With Audrey?”
Brenda’s expression told him everything.
Preston’s voice dropped.
“You’re still going to hurt her.”
Brenda sighed.
“Some problems do not survive if you keep feeding them.”
Preston looked at his wife’s belly.
Then at his mother.
For the first time in his life, he chose without fear.
May you like
He turned and drove the knife into the rope around Audrey’s wrists.
“Run.”
