Chapter 9 - THE TRAITOR AT HIS OWN TABLE
The betrayal came from Matteo Russo.
Lorenzo's security chief.
The man who had stood beside him for twelve years.
The man who knew his schedules.
His properties.
His weaknesses.
Investigators uncovered payments to a company controlled by Matteo's brother.
The company had provided unauthorized access to Meridian Freight records.
Lorenzo stared at the evidence.
For a long time, he said nothing.
Then he called Matteo into his office.
Matteo entered calmly.
“Boss.”
Lorenzo looked at him.
“Sit.”
Matteo frowned.
“Something wrong?”
Lorenzo placed the financial records on the desk.
Matteo's expression changed.
Barely.
But enough.
“Explain.”
Matteo looked down.
Then back up.
“It's not what you think.”
Lorenzo's voice was cold.
“Then tell me what it is.”
Matteo swallowed.
“My brother owed money.”
“To Graham Hail?”
“Yes.”
“And you sold company information to protect him?”
Matteo looked away.
“Yes.”
Silence.
Lorenzo leaned back.
“Did you know what they were doing with it?”
Matteo hesitated.
“Not at first.”
“And later?”
No answer.
Lorenzo closed his eyes.
He had trusted Matteo.
Given him authority.
Allowed him access to everything.
Now he understood how much damage that trust had enabled.
***
Lorenzo did not threaten Matteo.
He did not order anyone to hurt him.
Instead, he contacted his attorney and arranged for investigators to receive the evidence.
Matteo stared.
“You're turning me in?”
“Yes.”
“After twelve years?”
Lorenzo looked at him.
“After twelve years, you should have known better.”
Matteo's face twisted.
“I did it for my family.”
Lorenzo's expression hardened.
“So did Isabella when she disappeared.”
Silence.
Then Lorenzo continued.
“And so is Celia when she refuses to let Travis control her.”
He stood.
“Family isn't an excuse for hurting everyone else.”
***
Celia learned about Matteo's betrayal that evening.
She listened quietly.
Then asked:
“Are you okay?”
Lorenzo looked surprised.
“I've had better days.”
She smiled sadly.
“I imagine.”
He looked toward the window.
“I thought I knew him.”
Celia nodded.
“That's the worst part.”
He turned.
She continued.
“When someone betrays you, you start questioning every moment that came before.”
Lorenzo looked at her.
“You understand.”
“Yes.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Celia took his hand.
“You don't have to pretend it doesn't hurt.”
Lorenzo looked down at their joined hands.
Then whispered:
“Thank you.”
***
The following morning, investigators raided several properties connected to Northstar Holdings.
Graham Hail was questioned.
Travis disappeared.
Celia learned about it from Evelyn.
Her stomach tightened.
“Disappeared?”
“He hasn't reported to work. His phone is off.”
Celia closed her eyes.
“Is he running?”
“We don't know.”
She looked toward the window.
For months, she'd wanted Travis to leave her alone.
Now his disappearance frightened her more than his presence.
Because she knew him.
She knew how he reacted when he lost control.
And he had just lost everything.
***
That night, Celia returned to Naomi's apartment.
The hallway was quiet.
She unlocked the door.
Stepped inside.
Then stopped.
A familiar scent lingered in the air.
Travis's cologne.
She looked toward the kitchen.
A coffee cup sat on the counter.
Not Naomi's.
Not hers.
Beside it lay a folded note.
WE NEED TO TALK.
Celia backed toward the door.
Then heard a voice behind her.
“Hello, Celia.”
May you like
Travis stood in the hallway.
Smiling.
