Chapter 4
Milena slapped Carlo before anyone could stop her.
The sound cracked across the courtyard.
The old man stumbled.
Angelo caught him by the arm.
That was when the two capos moved.
Fast.
Silent.
One stepped between Milena and Carlo.
The other closed the courtyard doors.
Guests began whispering.
Milena’s face burned red.
“You all forget who I am,” she said.
Angelo turned slowly.
“No. I think I am finally remembering.”
She laughed.
“You are emotional. This woman has played you.”
I pulled Luke closer.
“Then test us,” I said.
Angelo looked at me.
I had not planned to say it.
But the words came out strong.
“Do a DNA test. Check the hospital records. Look at the date on the photograph. Read the letter your father left.”
At that, Milena’s body stiffened.
Angelo’s eyes narrowed.
“My father?”
I reached into my handbag again.
Milena lunged.
This time Angelo caught her wrist.
“Enough.”
I pulled out the second paper.
It was folded in half.
Old.
Yellowed.
Carlo had given it to me with the letter.
He said Angelo’s father had written it before he died.
He said Milena hid it.
I handed it to Angelo.
His fingers shook as he opened it.
The courtyard was so quiet I could hear the fountain behind us.
Angelo read.
His lips parted.
Then his eyes filled.
He looked at Luke.
Then at me.
“What does it say?” Milena demanded.
Angelo did not answer her.
He read the last line aloud.
“If Grace returns with the child, protect them. I believe the child is Angelo’s blood.”
Luke’s hand slipped into mine.
I felt him trembling.
Milena yanked her wrist from Angelo’s grip.
“Your father was weak,” she hissed.
Angelo folded the letter carefully.
“No,” he said. “He was honest.”
May you like
Then he looked at the broken plate on the ground.
“At least one person in this family was.”
