Dinner for the Betrayer
Chapter 08 - Dinner for the Betrayer
Dominic had expected Adrian to hide.
That was the mistake.
Men who traded in reputations often forgot that fear only worked when the other person wanted the same rules preserved.
At 10:06 a.m., Adrian Moretti entered his own dining room carrying Lily’s lion book under one arm and a porcelain cup of tea in the other.
Maria walked beside him with Lily on her hip. Silas followed behind them, limping, armed, expressionless.
The room held twenty-two men.
Capos. Attorneys. Security chiefs. Men who had spent three years watching Dominic become the helpful brother, the responsible brother, the calm voice beside a deteriorating king.
Dominic stood near the head of the table.
He wore concern beautifully.
“Adrian,” he said. “Thank God. We were afraid—”
“No,” Adrian said. “You were hopeful.”
A ripple moved through the room.
Dominic glanced at Maria and Lily.
“Is this necessary?”
“That question has carried many sins in this house.”
Adrian set the cup on the polished table.
The tiny sound of porcelain against wood made several men look at it.
“This tea,” Adrian said, “was brought to my room by my brother.”
Dominic sighed with public patience.
“You’re unwell. Everyone here knows that. Please do not humiliate yourself.”
Maria’s arm tightened around Lily.
Adrian looked at her.
“Put her down behind me.”
She hesitated.
“Trust me.”
Trust was not a word Maria handed out easily. Adrian saw the battle in her face before she lowered Lily to the floor. The child immediately tucked herself behind his leg, one small hand gripping his trouser seam.
Dominic saw it.
So did every man at the table.
Adrian opened the lion book to the page Lily had read.
“A child came to my room last night,” he said. “She told me not to drink Dominic’s tea.”
Dominic gave a soft laugh.
“You are basing accusations on a toddler’s imagination?”
“No. I’m basing them on a lab report, a dead pharmacist, forged medical records, missing security footage, and the vial found in your pocket.”
Dominic’s eyes hardened.
“Careful.”
“I was.” Adrian picked up the cup. “For three years, I was careful with you.”
He looked down the table.
“How many of you signed papers transferring temporary authority to Dominic?”
No one spoke.
The answer was almost all of them.
“Did he tell you I was deteriorating?” Adrian asked.
An older capo named Bastian cleared his throat.
“We saw it ourselves.”
“Yes.” Adrian nodded. “You saw what he made.”
Dominic slammed one palm onto the table.
“This is madness.”
Lily startled but did not cry.
Adrian’s hand moved slightly, shielding her without looking down.
Maria saw it and felt something in her chest give way.
Silas placed a folder on the table.
“Initial toxicology,” he said. “Compiled medication purchases under shell accounts tied to Dominic’s assistant. Records from Dr. Voss. Payments to two nurses. Surveillance gaps.”
Dominic’s attorney stood. “This is not an official proceeding.”
“No,” Adrian said. “It’s a family breakfast.”
Then he turned to Dominic.
“Drink it.”
The room became utterly still.
Dominic stared at the cup.
“If it’s chamomile,” Adrian said, “drink.”
Dominic did not move.
Bastian’s chair creaked as he leaned back.
That small sound changed the room.
Doubt had entered.
Dominic saw it too.
He looked at each man, then at Maria, then at Lily.
His face changed slowly from wounded brother to something older and uglier.
“You think this ends with tea?” he asked.
Adrian said nothing.
Dominic smiled.
“You still haven’t asked why I needed you weak before Thursday.”
Silas’s eyes narrowed.
“What happens Thursday?”
Dominic turned toward Maria.
“Ask her.”
Maria’s face went blank.
Adrian looked at her.
Dominic’s smile widened.
“She knows. Her father knew. That’s why he died.”
Maria whispered, “No.”
Dominic leaned over the table.
“Tell him what’s buried under Pier 19, Maria. Tell him why your father kept records. Tell him why my brother’s name is on every document.”
Adrian went still.
May you like
Maria looked at him with horror.
Because this time, Dominic had not lied.
