The Truth About Project 17
1501 Words
The car moved fast through the city.
Lina sat in the back seat beside Vito. The documents were still in her hands.
She could not stop looking at them.
Project 17.
The words were stuck in her head.
She looked at Vito.
What is Project 17?
Vito did not answer.
Vito.
Not here.
Then where?
He looked at her.
Somewhere safe.
Lina frowned.
You always say that. Somewhere safe. Stay here. Don't go there. Don't talk to this person.
Vito looked away.
And now you know why.
That doesn't answer my question.
I know.
Lina was getting angry. She held up the papers.
This is my life. My mother. My childhood. I have a right to know.
Vito looked at her for a long moment.
You do.
Then tell me.
He stayed quiet.
Lina looked out the window.
She was tired of secrets.
Tired of being scared.
Tired of everyone knowing things about her that she didn't know herself.
The car turned into an old road.
There were no shops here. No people. Just old buildings and empty streets.
Lina looked around.
Where are we going?
My house.
She turned to him.
Your house?
Yes.
I don't want to go there.
Vito's face stayed calm.
You have people following you.
So?
So until we know who they are, you're staying with me.
Lina stared at him.
You really don't listen.
I listen.
No, you don't.
Vito sighed.
You're right.
Lina blinked. She wasn't expecting that.
Vito looked down at his hands.
I know I control too much.
She looked at him.
He continued.
But right now, I'm trying to keep you alive.
Lina looked away.
I don't want to be protected if I don't know the truth.
You'll know.
When?
When we get there.
---
The house was bigger than Lina expected.
It stood behind a tall black gate.
There were guards outside.
Lina looked at them.
You live like this?
Vito got out of the car.
This is normal for me.
It isn't normal.
I know.
He opened her door. Lina stepped out.
She followed him inside.
The house was quiet.
Too quiet.
There were large windows, dark furniture, and old paintings on the walls.
Lina looked around.
It feels like nobody lives here.
Vito took off his jacket.
That's because nobody does.
She looked at him.
What about you?
I live here.
You know what I mean.
He gave her a small look.
I don't have much company.
Lina almost smiled.
I'm not surprised.
Vito looked at her.
For a second, the room felt less cold.
Then his phone rang. His face changed. He answered.
Talk.
Marco's voice came through.
Boss, we found one of the cars.
Whose?
Salvatore's men.
Vito's eyes hardened.
Where?
Near the old home.
Vito looked at Lina.
Did they see her?
We don't know.
Find out.
He ended the call.
Lina crossed her arms.
Salvatore.
Vito nodded.
He wants the documents.
Why?
Because they can destroy him.
Lina looked down at the papers.
How?
Vito walked to a large table.
Put them here.
Lina hesitated. Then she placed them down.
Vito opened the first document.
This was written seventeen years ago.
Lina's eyes widened.
Seventeen?
Yes.
He pointed to a name.
Elena Reyes.
Her heart stopped.
My mother.
Vito nodded.
She worked for Don Rocco.
I know that.
No.
He looked at her.
You don't know the whole story.
Lina swallowed.
Then tell me.
Vito took a breath.
Your mother wasn't a normal worker.
What was she?
She kept records.
Records of what?
Money. Names. Deals.
Lina stared at him.
Crimes?
Yes.
Her stomach turned.
My mother was a criminal?
No.
Vito shook his head.
She was trying to expose them.
Lina said nothing. Vito continued.
Your mother found out Don Rocco and Salvatore's father were working together.
Lina looked at the photograph.
The two men stood beside each other.
Young.
Smiling.
They looked like friends.
But everyone says they hate each other.
They do now.
Why did they stop working together?
Your mother.
Lina's eyes filled with tears.
What did she do?
She found out they were planning to kill several people.
Why?
Power.
Vito's voice was quiet.
Your mother took copies of their records.
And then?
She disappeared.
Lina stared at him.
You said she was alive.
She is.
Where?
I don't know.
Lina's face fell.
You don't know?
No.
But you said—
I found proof that she survived.
Lina sat down.
Her legs felt weak.
For years she had believed her mother was gone.
Now she had hope.
And hope hurt more than sadness.
What happened to me?
Vito looked at her.
You were supposed to disappear too.
Lina's eyes widened.
What?
Your mother made a deal.
With who?
Judge Toni.
Lina remembered the name.
The judge?
Yes.
Vito pulled out another paper.
Judge Toni helped move you into a children's home.
Why?
To keep you away from the families.
Lina looked at the paper.
My mother gave me away?
No.
Vito's voice became softer.
She was trying to save you.
Lina covered her mouth.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
She didn't leave me because she didn't want me?
No.
Vito sat across from her.
She left because people wanted you dead.
Lina cried quietly.
All these years.
All those nights wondering why her mother left.
She finally had an answer.
It didn't make everything better.
But it changed something inside her.
My mother loved me.
Yes.
Lina wiped her face.
Then why didn't she come back?
Vito looked down.
That is the part we don't know.
A car stopped outside.
Vito immediately stood.
Lina froze.
Who is it?
Stay here.
No.
Vito looked at her.
Lina.
I said no.
She stood.
I am tired of being told to hide.
Vito stared at her.
For a second, he looked like he wanted to argue.
Then he stopped.
Fine.
He walked toward the door. Lina followed.
Two guards entered.
Boss, nobody outside.
Vito nodded.
Then one of the guards handed him an envelope.
This was found at the gate.
Vito opened it.
His face became cold.
Lina stepped closer.
What is it?
Vito didn't answer.
She took the paper from his hand.
There were only a few words.
YOU HAVE HER.
WE WANT THE FILES.
BRING LINA TO THE OLD CHURCH.
MIDNIGHT.
Lina looked at Vito.
They want me.
Yes.
And the files.
Yes.
She took a deep breath.
Then we go.
Vito immediately shook his head.
No.
Why?
Because it's a trap.
I know.
Then why would you go?
Because I want answers.
Vito's eyes narrowed.
You could die.
So could you.
That isn't the same.
It is to me.
Vito went silent.
Lina looked at him.
I spent my whole life being afraid.
Her voice shook.
But I'm done.
Vito stared at her.
You don't have to prove anything.
I'm not.
She held up the documents.
I just want my mother.
Vito's face softened.
I know.
At midnight, the old church was almost empty.
Rain fell hard against the broken windows.
Vito stood near the entrance with Marco and two men.
Lina stayed beside him.
She was scared.
Very scared.
But she didn't run.
Vito looked at her.
Stay close.
Lina gave him a look.
He sighed.
Sorry.
She almost smiled.
Better.
They walked inside.
The church smelled old.
Water dripped from the ceiling.
Then a voice came from the darkness.
Lina.
She froze.
Vito moved in front of her.
A man stepped out.
Not Salvatore.
Not Bruno.
An old man with gray hair.
Lina stared at him.
Who are you?
The man looked at her with sad eyes.
I knew your mother.
Lina's heart jumped.
Where is she?
The man looked at Vito.
Then back at Lina.
She is alive.
Lina stepped forward.
Where?
The man opened his mouth.
A gunshot broke through the church.
Everyone dropped.
Vito grabbed Lina and pulled her behind a stone wall.
More shots followed.
Marco shouted.
Boss!
Vito looked around. His men fired back.
Lina covered her ears. Her whole body shook.
Vito held her close.
Stay down.
I am.
Another shot hit the wall above them.
Dust fell over Lina's hair.
She looked at Vito.
What do we do?
Vito looked toward the man who had spoken about her mother.
He was gone.
Lina's eyes widened.
He left.
Vito nodded.
He was never here to fight.
Then why?
To warn us.
About what?
Vito looked at the documents.
Then he looked at Lina.
I think your mother is being hunted again.
Lina's heart sank.
By who?
Vito's face became hard.
Everyone.
Outside, a car sped away into the rain.
Inside the church, Vito picked up a small piece of paper from the floor.
There was one name written on it.
BRUNO.
Vito stared at it.
His hands tightened.
Lina saw his face.
What?
Vito looked at her.
Someone inside my side is helping them.
And for the first time, Lina understood.
The danger wasn't only outside.
It was already close.
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