Chapter 2 - THE SHADOWS OF SOUTH PHILLY
"Lock the doors."
Matteo’s voice cut through the kitchen.
Luca didn't blink.
"Already on it, Boss."
The heavy iron deadbolt slid into place with a sickening thud.
Patrons would be panicking soon.
Richard was probably hyperventilating near the salad bar.
I stared at Matteo.
My hands were trembling now.
Not from cold.
From sheer terror.
"Who sent those messages?" I whispered.
Matteo slipped the phone back into his tailored jacket.
"Someone who thinks you have what your mother hid."
"I don't have anything!"
"Prove it."
"Why should I?"
"Because right now, you're standing in the crosshairs of a war."
He stepped closer.
I could smell sandalwood and expensive bourbon.
"Your mother wasn't just a translator, Tessa."
"She told me everything about her work."
"She lied."
The words hit me like a physical blow.
"You didn't know her."
"I knew her better than you think."
Matteo pulled out a silver lighter.
He didn't light a cigarette.
He just clicked it open and shut.
"Fifteen years ago, my father's syndicate handled European logistics."
"So?"
"Your mother translated our ledger codes."
I swallowed hard.
"That's corporate business."
"No."
Matteo's dark eyes locked onto mine.
"It was money laundering. Millions of dollars in smuggled diamonds."
The kitchen fluorescent light buzzed overhead.
My knees felt weak.
"My mother was an academic."
"Your mother was the only person smart enough to outsmart the Outfit."
Luca walked back toward us.
"Boss, rear exit is clean. But someone hacked the security cameras."
Matteo stopped clicking his lighter.
"All of them?"
"Just the external alley feed."
A cold sweat broke out across my back.
Someone was watching us right now.
Outside, rain began to lash against the glass windows of Bellaforte.
"Tessa," Matteo said softly.
"What?"
"Do you still have the silver pendant your mother gave you?"
My heart stopped.
I had never told anyone about that pendant.
Not my roommates in college.
Not my coworkers.
Not even my closest friends.
"How do you know about that?"
Matteo didn't answer.
He grabbed my arm, his grip firm but not crushing.
"We are leaving. Through the basement."
"I'm not going anywhere with you!"
"You can stay here and wait for the man who texted you," Matteo whispered. "Or you can come with me and learn how your mother really died."
I looked down at my taped shoes.
Then I looked at my phone.
Another text message arrived.
Tic-toc, Tessa. The basement won't save you either.
I looked up at Matteo.
May you like
"Let's go."
THE END OF CHAPTER 2
