Chapter 6 - THE FIRST BETRAYAL
Luca arrived at the literacy center twenty minutes after Luna called him.
Police were already taking statements.
Luna stood beside the damaged entrance, her hands trembling.
He approached carefully.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Anyone else?”
“No.”
He exhaled.
Then looked at the broken glass.
“This is because of me.”
Luna didn't argue.
That frightened him more than anger would have.
He looked at her.
“I'll find out who did this.”
“The police are investigating.”
“I know.”
She studied him.
“Luca, if you retaliate, this will never end.”
He looked away.
“You don't understand how these people think.”
“Then explain.”
He was silent.
Luna continued.
“Because from where I'm standing, everyone in your world believes hurting innocent people is a reasonable way to win an argument.”
The words struck him.
He looked at the shattered windows.
Then at the volunteers cleaning glass from the floor.
He had spent his life believing his family protected its own.
Now he saw the cost of that protection.
That afternoon, he confronted Salvatore.
His father sat in the study, reviewing documents.
“Vincent is threatening people,” Luca said.
Salvatore looked up.
“Proof?”
“Threats against Luna. Threats against an accountant. Financial irregularities connected to Vincent's warehouses.”
Salvatore's expression changed.
“What irregularities?”
Luca placed the report on the desk.
His father read it.
Slowly.
Then closed his eyes.
“How long have you known?”
“Two days.”
Salvatore looked exhausted.
“Vincent has been useful to this family.”
Luca stared.
“Useful?”
“He kept alliances together when I was ill.”
“And what did he take in exchange?”
Salvatore didn't answer.
Luca leaned forward.
“Father, if you knew he was abusing our businesses—”
“I didn't know everything.”
“But you suspected.”
Silence.
Luca straightened.
“Then this ends.”
Salvatore looked up sharply.
“You cannot dismantle thirty years of relationships overnight.”
“Watch me.”
He turned toward the door.
Salvatore called after him.
“Luca!”
He stopped.
His father's voice softened.
“Love will not protect you from the consequences of power.”
Luca looked back.
“No.”
May you like
He thought of Luna standing amid broken glass.
“But maybe loving someone will finally make me face them.”
