Chapter 7: The Brother Who Was Supposed to Die
Gabriele Romano had spent his entire life controlling chaos.
He built rules.
He built alliances.
He built fear.
People believed that was why he survived.
They were wrong.
The real reason he survived was because he never allowed himself to believe anyone completely.
Not even family.
But Matteo had been different.
His older brother was the only person who could walk into Gabriele’s office, insult his decisions, steal food from his plate, and leave without consequences.
Matteo was the one person who remembered there was a man beneath the reputation.
And now that man was alive.
And afraid of him.
The safe house was silent.
Federica sat at the table while Gabriele stared at the video of Marco and Damian.
Nobody knew what to say.
Finally, Federica broke the silence.
“What happened the night Matteo disappeared?””
Gabriele didn’t answer.
She waited.
Not because she was patient.
Because she knew numbers.
And people were the same.
The missing information was always the most important.
“I told you it was an accident,” Gabriele said.
“That’s not what I asked.””
His eyes moved to her.
She didn’t look away.
“I asked what happened.””
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then:
“My brother found something.””
“What?””
“He discovered money missing from our companies.””
Federica frowned.
“The same money connected to Damian?””
“Yes.””
“So Matteo knew.””
“Yes.””
“And then he died.””
Gabriele’s jaw tightened.
“That’s what I believed.””
Federica noticed the wording.
Not “that’s what happened.””
That’s what I believed.
“You’re not sure.””
Gabriele looked toward the window.
“No.””
The honesty surprised her.
“He called me the night before the accident.””
“What did he say?””
Gabriele’s voice became quieter.
“He said someone close to us was betraying the family.””
Federica looked at the papers.
“The same thing you’re facing now.””
“Yes.””
“Who did he suspect?””
Gabriele didn’t answer.
Then Isabella spoke.
“Me.””
Everyone looked at her.
Federica frowned.
“Your own mother?””
Isabella nodded.
“Matteo thought I knew more than I admitted.””
Gabriele looked angry.
“Because she did.””
A silence followed.
Federica realized something.
This family wasn’t built on loyalty.
It was built on secrets.
Before she could ask more, the front door opened.
Every guard raised their weapons.
Then a voice called out.
“Don’t shoot.””
Gabriele froze.
Because he knew that voice.
The room waited.
A man stepped inside.
Older.
Tired.
Bruised.
Alive.
Matteo Romano.
Nobody moved.
Federica looked at the video.
Then the man standing in front of them.
No screen.
No distance.
Real.
Gabriele stared at his brother.
“You’re alive.””
Matteo nodded.
“I am.””
The next moment happened so quickly Federica almost missed it.
Gabriele crossed the room.
For one second, she thought he would attack him.
Instead, he grabbed his brother and pulled him into an embrace.
No cameras.
No soldiers.
No reputation.
Just two brothers.
Then Gabriele stepped back.
And the cold returned.
“Tell me everything.””
Matteo looked at Federica.
Then at the flash drive.
Then at the papers.
“You found the accounts.””
Federica nodded.
Matteo looked exhausted.
“You shouldn’t have.””
“Why?””
“Because now they know you’re important.””
Gabriele’s expression hardened.
“Who?””
Matteo looked at him.
“The person who planned all of this.””
“Damian?””
Matteo shook his head.
“No.””
The room froze.
“Then who?””
Matteo swallowed.
“The person who gave Damian orders.””
Federica felt a chill.
“Who?””
Matteo looked directly at Gabriele.
And said a name.
A name that changed everything.
“Your father.””
May you like
Nobody spoke.
Because Gabriele’s father had been dead for twelve years.
