Chapter 7 - THE MAN WHO LEFT HER
The trouble arrived in the form of a black sedan.
It pulled up near the service entrance just after dusk. A man stepped out wearing a leather jacket and carrying a cigarette between two fingers.
Nora saw him through the kitchen window.
Her stomach dropped.
Brody.
She had not seen the father of her child in three months. He looked thinner, rougher, and more nervous than she remembered. His hair was unwashed, and a bruise darkened one side of his jaw.
She stepped away from the window.
A kitchen assistant noticed.
“Do you know him?”
“No.”
But Brody had already spotted her.
“Nora!”
His voice carried across the courtyard.
She froze.
The kitchen assistant called security. Before anyone could reach the door, Brody pushed through the service entrance.
“There you are,” he said, looking at her stomach. “You've been hiding.”
Nora backed away.
“Leave.”
“That's how you greet me?”
“You disappeared.”
“I had problems.”
“You left me with your debts.”
Brody glanced around the kitchen.
“Look at this place. You're doing well.”
“I'm working.”
“Then you can help me.”
Nora stared at him.
“No.”
His expression changed.
“Don't start.”
“I won't give you money.”
He stepped closer.
“You owe me.”
“I owe you nothing.”
Brody reached for her arm.
Before he could touch her, a security guard caught his wrist.
“Let her go.”
Brody twisted around.
“Who the hell are you?”
The guard did not answer. Two more men entered.
Lorenzo appeared behind them.
“What is happening?”
Brody's eyes moved to him, and his confidence faltered.
“I'm here to see my girlfriend.”
“She isn't your girlfriend,” Nora said.
Lorenzo looked at her.
“Do you know this man?”
“He's the baby's father.”
Brody straightened.
“That's right. And I have a right to see my child.”
“You have a right to make a request through the proper channels,” Lorenzo replied. “You don't have a right to force your way into this house.”
Brody laughed nervously.
“Who are you supposed to be?”
Matteo stepped forward.
“Lorenzo Moretti.”
The color drained from Brody's face.
He looked toward the doors.
Lorenzo noticed.
“Why are you afraid?”
“I'm not.”
“Then answer the question. Why did you come here?”
Brody swallowed.
“I need money.”
“How much?”
“Ten thousand.”
Nora's face tightened.
“You told me you only owed a few hundred.”
Brody ignored her.
“It's complicated.”
Lorenzo's gaze remained steady.
“Who is collecting?”
Brody hesitated.
Then he muttered a name.
“Rafe D'Angelo.”
Matteo's expression changed.
Lorenzo noticed.
“You know him?”
“He runs collections for the south-side gambling rooms.”
Lorenzo looked back at Brody.
“Did you borrow money from him using Nora's name?”
Brody said nothing.
Nora felt sick.
“What did you do?”
Brody looked at her.
“I needed a reference. They wanted someone with a stable address.”
“You used my information?”
“It was just paperwork.”
Lorenzo turned to Matteo.
“Take him to the security office. No one touches him. I want every document he signed.”
Brody began protesting.
“You can't keep me here!”
“I'm not keeping you,” Lorenzo said. “I'm making sure you don't threaten a pregnant woman again.”
As the guards escorted him away, Nora's knees weakened.
Lorenzo caught her elbow.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head, but tears spilled down her cheeks.
“I thought he might have changed.”
Lorenzo's voice softened.
“People who disappear when you need them most don't get to return only when they need something.”
May you like
Nora looked at him.
For the first time, she saw not the feared man who commanded the estate, but someone who understood what betrayal could do.
