Chapter 5 - THE SECRET OF THE MANCINI FAMILY
I learned who Alessandro really was from a newspaper article.
Not from him.
Not from Rosa.
From an old report I found while searching for information about the estate.
MANCINI FAMILY LINKED TO ORGANIZED CRIME INVESTIGATION.
My stomach tightened.
The article described allegations involving money laundering, intimidation, and illegal gambling operations connected to members of the Mancini family.
Alessandro's name appeared repeatedly.
He had never been convicted in the matters described.
But the article made it clear that his world was far more dangerous than I'd understood.
I closed the laptop.
For several minutes, I sat motionless.
Then I went looking for him.
He was in his study.
I knocked.
“Come in.”
I stepped inside.
He looked up.
“Madison?”
I placed the printed article on his desk.
“Is this true?”
His expression changed.
He read the headline.
Then looked at me.
“Some of it.”
My heart pounded.
“Are you in the mafia?”
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he said:
“My family has been involved in criminal activity.”
I stared.
“And you?”
He looked down.
“I've made choices I'm not proud of.”
I stepped backward.
He didn't move.
“Madison, you deserve to know who you're staying with.”
I swallowed.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because you were injured. And frightened. I didn't want to add to that.”
I shook my head.
“You should have let me decide.”
He closed his eyes.
“You're right.”
I returned to my room.
Packed my bag.
Then sat on the bed.
I didn't know where to go.
But I knew I couldn't stay somewhere dangerous simply because the man who owned it had been kind to me.
An hour later, Alessandro knocked.
I opened the door.
He stood in the hallway.
“I've arranged a room at a hotel in Billings,” he said. “It's in your name. Transportation is available whenever you're ready.”
I stared.
“You're letting me leave?”
His expression softened.
“Madison, you were always free to leave.”
Tears filled my eyes.
He continued.
“You don't owe me trust.”
I looked down.
Then whispered:
“Thank you.”
I left the estate that evening.
But as the car drove through the gates, I looked back.
Alessandro stood beneath the porch lights.
Watching.
May you like
Not stopping me.
And somehow, that made leaving harder.
