Chapter 16
The paper was small enough to fit beneath the toy’s stuffing.
Marco’s handwriting had faded.
DANTE,
IF ELENA FOUND THIS, THEN SHE KEPT HER PROMISE.
Dante looked at her.
“You knew?”
“No.”
Marco continued.
DO NOT TURN HER INTO A SOLDIER BECAUSE SHE WAS BRAVE ENOUGH TO HELP ME. SHE DESERVES AN ORDINARY LIFE.
Elena laughed once through tears.
“Typical Marco. Giving orders after death.”
Dante kept reading.
AND IF THERE IS A CHILD HOLDING THIS CAT, BE KINDER TO THAT CHILD THAN OUR FATHER WAS TO US.
Dante looked at Sophia.
She was trying to feed the stuffed cat a cracker.
Mateo stood beside her, offended on behalf of the toy.
The letter ended:
POWER IS WHAT PEOPLE FEAR YOU CAN DO.
FAMILY IS WHAT THEY TRUST YOU WON’T.
Dante folded the note carefully.
For years, he had confused the two.
He turned to Elena.
“You tried to resign.”
“Yes.”
“Still want to?”
She crossed her arms.
“I want a normal job.”
“Define normal.”
“Hours. Benefits. A written contract. No armed men pretending to prune roses.”
Rocco muttered, “They were terrible gardeners.”
Elena ignored him.
“And I want Sophia nowhere near family business.”
“Agreed.”
“No using Mateo as leverage.”
“Agreed.”
“No expecting gratitude because you did the right thing late.”
That one stung.
“Agreed.”
She studied him.
“Who are you?”
“Apparently a man being managed by his housekeeper.”
“Estate manager.”
“You haven’t signed yet.”
“I will after Samuel fixes section four.”
Dante smiled.
It surprised both of them.
Then Rocco’s phone rang.
Vanessa had requested one final meeting before sentencing.
Dante almost refused.
But Sophia tugged his sleeve.
“Pretty lady thief sad?”
“Probably.”
“Say sorry?”
Dante looked at her.
“She has a lot to be sorry for.”
Sophia considered that.
“Then she say lots.”
Dante laughed.
The next morning, he went to see Vanessa.
May you like
Not for her.
For the last question he still needed answered.
