Chapter 10 - THE NAME ADRIAN NEVER EXPECTED
Dean Russo had not acted alone.
Federal investigators and Adrian's security team uncovered evidence of a coordinated plot involving Victor Orchid, several compromised guards, and an insider who had supplied access to the estate.
But the identity of that insider shocked everyone.
It was Adrian's uncle.
Salvatore Moretti.
The man who had helped raise him after his father's death.
The man who had taught him the family business.
The man Adrian had trusted more than almost anyone.
Salvatore had been secretly negotiating with Orchid.
He wanted control of the Moretti organization.
And he believed Adrian had grown too independent.
The planned attack was meant to remove Adrian and transfer control of the family's assets.
When Adrian learned the truth, he sat alone in his study for nearly an hour.
I found him there after midnight.
He was staring at a photograph.
A younger Adrian stood beside his father and uncle.
All three were smiling.
I hesitated at the doorway.
"Mr. Moretti?"
He looked up.
"Claire."
I stepped inside.
"Marco said you hadn't eaten."
He smiled faintly.
"You're still worrying about dinner?"
I shrugged.
"Someone has to."
He looked down.
Then whispered:
"He was family."
I sat across from him.
"I know."
"He taught me everything."
His voice cracked.
"And he wanted me dead."
I didn't know what to say.
So I said the truth.
"That wasn't your fault."
Adrian looked at me.
I continued.
"You trusted someone who should have protected you."
His eyes filled.
For a moment, he looked nothing like the feared mafia boss of New York.
He looked like a man who had lost his family twice.
Then he whispered:
"I don't know who I can trust anymore."
I looked at him.
"You can start with the people who tell you the truth."
He smiled sadly.
"Like you?"
May you like
I nodded.
"Like me."
