Chapter 8 - THE NIGHT LORENZO CAME FOR REVENGE
Lorenzo Rienzi blamed Isla.
He had convinced himself that Matteo's decision to cooperate with investigators began with the waitress who signed.
That made her dangerous.
One evening, Isla left the community center after closing.
The street was quiet.
She was halfway to the bus stop when a black sedan pulled alongside the curb.
A man stepped out.
“Isla Marsh?”
She stopped.
“Yes?”
“Mr. Rienzi wants to speak with you.”
She looked at him.
“Which Mr. Rienzi?”
The man hesitated.
That was enough.
Isla turned and walked quickly toward the center.
The man followed.
She reached the entrance and activated the emergency call system.
The center's security guard opened the door.
The man retreated.
Police arrived.
Isla gave a statement.
Security footage captured the vehicle.
Investigators later connected it to an associate of Lorenzo.
When Matteo learned what happened, he was furious.
But he did not send men to threaten Lorenzo.
He contacted his attorney and ensured the information reached investigators.
Then he asked Gabriel to deliver a message to Isla.
Are you safe?
She replied:
Yes.
A moment later:
I'm sorry.
She stared at the screen.
Then typed:
You didn't send him.
Matteo answered:
But my past helped create this danger.
Isla sat quietly.
Then replied:
Then keep doing what you said you would do.
That evening, Cole sat beside her.
He signed:
You were brave.
She shook her head.
I was terrified.
Cole smiled.
Those things can happen together.
May you like
For the first time, Isla understood that courage was not the absence of fear.
It was refusing to let fear decide every part of her future.
