Chapter 10 - THE LOYAL MAN'S SECRET
Luca Bellini had served the Valerio family for nineteen years.
He'd joined as a driver, become a security officer, and eventually risen to Dante's most trusted lieutenant.
He rarely discussed his past.
Dante knew that Luca had grown up in foster care and had been taken in by Alessandro Valerio as a teenager.
What Dante didn't know was that Alessandro had legally adopted Luca shortly before his death.
The adoption had been kept confidential for security reasons.
It gave Luca a formal family relationship and, more importantly, placed him within the group authorized to authenticate certain protected records.
When Dante confronted him, Luca didn't deny it.
"Your father asked me not to tell you until the records were found."
Dante stared.
"You've been my brother for eight months and didn't say a word?"
Luca looked down.
"I've been your brother longer than that."
Dante's anger faltered.
Luca continued.
"He didn't want you to think I was after the family money."
"Did you know about the reserves?"
"Only that Massimo was stealing from them."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I had suspicions, not proof. And your father believed Massimo had people inside every department."
Dante turned away.
For a long moment, he stared at the fireplace.
Then he asked, "Did my father trust me?"
Luca looked at him.
"More than anyone."
Dante laughed bitterly.
"Then why all the secrets?"
"Because he knew you'd try to protect everyone yourself."
Dante closed his eyes.
Luca stepped closer.
"He wanted you to have a choice. Not a war."
The words struck deeper than Dante expected.
Later, Selene joined them by secure video call.
She explained that Luca's authentication was necessary to establish the provenance of the recovered records, but it did not grant him personal ownership of the funds.
The reserves belonged to a network of legitimate companies and trusts.
Massimo had been diverting money from them for years.
Dante listened carefully.
Then asked the question that had haunted him since Loro.
"How much?"
Selene looked at the verified figures.
"At least two hundred and forty million dollars."
Luca swore.
Dante said nothing.
Selene continued.
"But there's something more important."
Dante looked up.
"What?"
"Massimo didn't simply steal money. He used the accounts to conceal payments connected to your father's medical care."
The room fell silent.
Dante's voice became barely audible.
"Are you saying my father was murdered?"
Selene took a breath.
"I'm saying the records raise questions that independent investigators need to answer."
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Dante closed his eyes.
And for the first time in his adult life, he cried in front of another person.
