Chapter 3 - THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE
Vittorio DeSantis had built his empire on secrets.
He controlled ports.
Warehouses.
Shipping companies.
And men who never appeared in photographs.
Roman had inherited the organization after his father's supposed death.
But he had also inherited the consequences.
Sadie listened as Roman explained.
Vittorio had been running a trafficking network through shell companies connected to the waterfront.
Elena, an accountant, had discovered irregular transfers.
She collected documents.
Names.
Payments.
Shipping records.
Then she contacted Roman.
Sadie stared.
“Elena trusted you?”
Roman nodded.
“She believed I didn't know.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
She searched his face.
For three years, she had told herself Roman was incapable of honesty.
Now she wanted desperately to believe him.
That frightened her.
Roman continued.
“Elena agreed to help expose the operation. But someone warned my father.”
Sadie's heart pounded.
“What happened?”
“Vittorio ordered her killed.”
She covered her mouth.
Roman looked down.
“I got her out.”
Sadie stared.
“And her daughter?”
“With her.”
“Then why didn't you tell me?”
Roman's face tightened.
“Because someone close to me was feeding information to Vittorio. I didn't know who.”
Sadie stepped back.
“So you let me think she was dead.”
“Yes.”
She stared.
“You watched me break apart.”
Roman closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
The honesty was unbearable.
Sadie turned away.
For a moment, she couldn't breathe.
Then she whispered:
“You don't get to call that love.”
Roman said nothing.
She faced him again.
“Where are they?”
“I can't tell you until their protection team confirms it's safe.”
“Then call them.”
Roman nodded.
He took out his phone.
Dialed.
Waited.
His expression changed.
“What do you mean the house is empty?”
Sadie's stomach dropped.
Roman listened.
Then whispered:
“When?”
He ended the call.
Sadie stared.
“Roman?”
His face had gone pale.
“Elena and her daughter are missing.”
For a moment, the street seemed to disappear beneath Sadie's feet.
Three years.
May you like
She had finally learned her sister was alive.
And now she might lose her all over again.
