Chapter 4 - THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Victor Romano had been with the Moretti family since he was seventeen.
He had grown up in a neighborhood where loyalty was currency and fear was a language. Lucas's father had taken him in after Victor's older brother was killed. The family gave him work, a home, and a place beside the heir.
Lucas had called him brother.
Victor had once believed that would be enough.
Then Lucas inherited the empire and began talking about leaving it.
He wanted legitimate businesses. He wanted to sell the docks, close the private clubs, and move the family away from its criminal operations.
Victor saw that as betrayal.
He believed the Moretti name was built to rule, not to apologize.
And he believed he should be the one holding the power.
Three years earlier, he had arranged the false warehouse attack and the explosion at the north residence. He had expected Lucas to die that night. When Lucas survived, Victor helped him mourn Isabella and Daniel while quietly consolidating control.
Now Lucas was asking questions.
And a six-year-old housekeeper's daughter had ruined the cleanest opportunity Victor had ever been given.
***
At 9:00 p.m., Victor entered Lucas's study.
“Boss. You wanted to see me?”
Lucas sat behind the desk. “I want to talk about yesterday.”
Victor's face remained composed. “You gave us a scare.”
“Did I?”
“You should have gone to the hospital immediately.”
“I had a doctor here.”
“Of course.”
Lucas tapped the desk.
“My inhaler was damaged.”
Victor's expression did not change. “That's unfortunate.”
“Someone disabled the hallway camera.”
“Then security has failed.”
“The access card belonged to you.”
Victor looked at him. “Anyone could have used it.”
“Anyone?”
“Your security office is used by dozens of men.”
Lucas watched him carefully.
“Do you remember what happened to Isabella?”
Victor's eyes flickered. “Every day.”
“And Daniel?”
“Every day, boss.”
“Then you understand why I don't forgive carelessness.”
Victor lowered his head. “I understand.”
Lucas leaned forward.
“Find the person who touched my medication.”
“I will.”
“No. You won't.”
Victor looked up.
Lucas's voice stayed quiet. “Because I already have someone looking.”
For the first time, Victor's composure faltered.
“Who?”
“Daniel.”
Victor nodded. “Good man.”
“He is.”
Silence stretched between them.
Then Victor said, “There is something I should tell you. The housekeeper's daughter was in the west corridor when you collapsed.”
Lucas's face became unreadable. “I know.”
“She shouldn't have been there.”
“She saved my life.”
Victor's jaw tightened. “Children should not be exposed to this world.”
Lucas stood.
“Then perhaps the adults in this house should stop bringing danger into it.”
Victor stared at him. “Are you accusing me?”
“I'm asking you to remember who owns this house.”
Victor bowed his head. “Of course, boss.”
He left.
Lucas remained standing until the door closed.
Then he called Daniel.
“Move Lily and Elena to the family wing. Put two trusted guards outside. No one approaches them without permission.”
Daniel's voice grew serious. “Understood.”
***
That night, Elena found a folded note beneath her apartment door inside the staff quarters.
It contained only one sentence.
YOUR DAUGHTER SHOULD HAVE STAYED OUT OF THE HALLWAY.
Elena read it twice.
Her fingers went cold.
She took Lily into her room and locked the door.
When Lucas arrived, he found Elena sitting on the bed with Lily asleep against her side.
“What happened?”
Elena handed him the note.
Lucas read it.
His face became still.
“Did anyone see who left it?”
“No.”
“Has Lily spoken to anyone about what happened?”
“Only you and the doctor.”
Lucas folded the note.
“Pack a small bag. You're moving to the family wing tonight.”
Elena shook her head.
“I don't want to cause trouble.”
“You aren't causing it.”
“Mr. Moretti, I know what people say about you. I know what this family is. I don't want my daughter caught between your enemies.”
Lucas looked at Lily.
“Neither do I.”
Elena studied him.
“Then let us leave.”
He could have ordered her to stay. He could have sent guards to follow her. That was what the old Lucas would have done.
Instead, he took a key from his pocket and placed it on the table.
“This opens the east gate. If you decide to leave, you can go. No one will stop you. But I can offer protection while we find out who sent that note.”
Elena looked at the key.
“Why would you do that?”
May you like
Lucas glanced toward the sleeping child.
“Because your daughter saved my life. And because no child should pay for the mistakes of powerful men.”
