Chapter 5
My knees weakened.
Rocco gripped the edge of the desk.
The woman’s voice shook through the tiny speaker.
“They told me you were dead. They said if I ran, they would sell the child. I hid the proof where only kindness would find it.”
The recording crackled.
Then ended.
Rocco pressed play again.
Nothing more.
His face had gone pale.
“Our baby,” he whispered.
I stood frozen beside the empty wheelchair.
Dominic’s voice came from the other side of the door.
“She was insane.”
Rocco turned slowly.
“You knew about this?”
Dominic did not answer.
Rocco unlocked the door.
Dominic stood there with two security guards behind him.
Neither guard moved.
Dominic looked at them.
“Remove him.”
They stared at Rocco.
Then one lowered his eyes.
“Mr. Vale founded this club.”
Dominic’s face twisted.
“I pay you.”
Rocco stepped forward.
“With money stolen from me.”
Dominic lunged for the recorder.
I grabbed it first.
He swung toward me.
Rocco caught his wrist.
The room froze again.
Rocco’s voice was low.
“You were brave with a man in a wheelchair.”
Dominic winced.
“Let go.”
“You were brave with a waitress on her knees.”
His grip tightened.
“You were brave with coins.”
Dominic’s face went gray.
Then Rocco released him.
“Call the police,” he told me.
Dominic laughed.
“You won’t. This family owns half the city.”
I reached for the desk phone.
He stared at me like he still expected fear to save him.
For months, fear had ruled me.
Fear of losing rent.
Fear of my mother’s hospital bills.
Fear of powerful men.
But I thought of his shoe near those coins.
I thought of Rocco’s wife saying they took our baby.
May you like
I dialed.
“My name is Maeve Carter,” I said. “I need to report fraud, assault, and possible kidnapping at Vale Club.”
