Chapter 4 - THE BROTHER WHO DISAPPEARED
Nico Morello vanished when he was fourteen.
The official story was simple.
He ran away.
He'd been angry.
Restless.
Tired of living under the shadow of the Morello name.
Dante had searched for him for years.
Private investigators.
Police contacts.
Family associates.
Nothing.
Eventually, everyone told Dante to accept the truth.
Nico didn't want to be found.
But Gabriel never believed it.
He kept a photograph of Nico in his wallet.
He visited the old neighborhood every year on the boy's birthday.
And whenever Dante mentioned closing the search, Gabriel said the same thing.
“Not yet.”
Now Dante stood in room 412 holding the brass key.
“The boy knows.”
Roman watched him.
“You think Gabriel found Nico?”
Dante shook his head.
“I think Gabriel found out what happened to him.”
That evening, Dante visited his aunt, Teresa Morello.
She lived in a mansion outside Chicago, surrounded by expensive furniture and memories she never discussed.
When Dante mentioned Nico, her expression changed.
“Why are you bringing this up?”
“Gabriel was investigating something.”
Teresa looked away.
“Gabriel has always been obsessed with that boy.”
Dante stared.
“That boy is my brother.”
“I know.”
“Then help me.”
Teresa's eyes hardened.
“Nico left.”
Dante leaned forward.
“Did he?”
Silence.
For the first time, Dante noticed something he'd overlooked for years.
His aunt wasn't grieving.
She was frightened.
He stood.
“Whatever you're hiding, Teresa, I'm going to find it.”
She looked up sharply.
“Dante, don't.”
He stopped.
“Don't what?”
Her voice trembled.
“Don't open things Gabriel worked so hard to keep closed.”
Dante stared.
Then quietly said, “What did Gabriel keep closed?”
May you like
Teresa looked away.
And said nothing.
