Chapter 4 - THE NAME THAT OPENED AN OLD WOUND
Arthur didn't sleep that night.
He sat in his study with Maria's photograph beside him.
The past returned in fragments.
Rain on Harker Street.
The smell of gasoline.
A burning diner.
A woman's voice shouting from behind a locked door.
He had arrived too late.
He had always arrived too late.
At six the following morning, Dominic returned with more information.
“Rocco Bellucci runs collections out of a boxing gym in South Boston.”
Arthur nodded.
“And Frank?”
Dominic hesitated.
“Officially dead.”
“Officially?”
“There are rumors he survived the fire at his own warehouse twenty years ago.”
Arthur stared.
“Where?”
“No confirmed location.”
Arthur leaned back.
For years, he'd believed Frank Bellucci had died before Arthur could confront him.
Now the possibility that he was alive reopened something Arthur had spent decades burying.
“Does Rocco know who Nora works for?”
Dominic shook his head.
“Not yet.”
Arthur stood.
“Then let's keep it that way.”
Meanwhile, Nora was trying to convince Ethan to visit a doctor.
He refused.
“We can't afford it.”
“Your hand could be fractured.”
“It'll heal.”
“Ethan.”
He looked at her.
“I'm sorry.”
The words broke her heart.
He had been seventeen when their mother died.
A frightened boy trying to become a man too quickly.
He'd made mistakes.
But he didn't deserve to be terrorized.
That evening, Nora returned to the estate.
Arthur was waiting in the kitchen.
He looked at her.
“Your brother's name is Ethan.”
She froze.
“How do you know that?”
Arthur didn't answer immediately.
Then said:
“I know about Rocco Bellucci.”
Nora stepped backward.
“You had someone investigate me?”
Arthur's expression tightened.
“I was concerned.”
“You had no right.”
“I know.”
She stared.
The admission surprised her.
Arthur continued.
“Rocco is dangerous.”
“I know that too.”
“Let me help.”
Nora shook her head.
“No.”
Arthur frowned.
“Nora—”
“I don't want my brother owing another powerful man.”
The words landed harder than she intended.
Arthur went silent.
Nora swallowed.
“My grandmother taught me that help shouldn't come with chains.”
Arthur looked at her.
Then nodded.
“She did.”
He stepped aside.
“You're right. I shouldn't have investigated your family without asking.”
Nora stared.
“I won't interfere without your permission.”
She looked down.
“Thank you.”
Arthur hesitated.
“But if you ever need help, you can ask.”
Nora nodded.
As she returned to the stove, Arthur watched her carefully.
May you like
For the first time in years, he was beginning to understand that protecting someone did not mean controlling them.
And that lesson frightened him more than any enemy.
