The Brother Behind the Name
Chapter 09 - The Brother Behind the Name
Dante told Leah the story in pieces.
Daniel had been reckless, brilliant, and cruel in equal measure. He had discovered the charity accounts and realized how much money could be moved without attracting attention.
Bianca confronted him.
Daniel disappeared.
The family announced his death because the truth would have destroyed them.
Dante was twenty.
He became the heir overnight.
And he spent the next decade cleaning up the damage Daniel left behind.
Leah listened without interrupting.
“Where is he now?”
“I don't know.”
“You're lying.”
“I wish I were.”
Dante admitted he had received anonymous messages from Daniel for years.
The latest had arrived three days before the gala.
It contained one sentence.
Tell Leah the truth, or I will.
Leah felt sick.
“That is why you brought Elena.”
“Yes.”
“You wanted to make me jealous so I would finally ask questions.”
“Yes.”
“That is the stupidest thing you've ever done.”
“I know.”
She almost smiled.
Then the front door opened.
Marco Vieri walked inside.
No security stopped him.
Dante moved in front of Leah.
Marco was older than Leah remembered, but his eyes were sharp.
“You've made this much more complicated than it needed to be.”
Dante said nothing.
Marco looked at Leah.
“Your mother was not innocent.”
Leah's voice was steady.
“Neither are you.”
Marco smiled.
“Good. Bianca taught you something.”
He placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Daniel standing beside Leah's mother.
But the date was recent.
Very recent.
Leah stared.
Daniel was alive.
And he had been meeting their mother after Leah believed she was dead.
Marco leaned closer.
“Your mother didn't die because of the Raviieris.”
“Then why?”
“She died because she refused to tell us where she hid the original ledger.”
Dante looked at Marco.
“You said the ledger was destroyed.”
“I lied.”
Marco turned toward Leah.
“And your mother left it to you.”
He walked away.
Leah stood frozen.
Dante looked at her.
“What?”
She slowly reached into her purse.
She had brought the old letter from the gala.
On the back, beneath the signature, a faint line had appeared.
It was invisible until heated.
Leah had not noticed.
May you like
The message contained an address.
And it was not in New York.
