Vito's possession

The Truth Hurts

The rain had stopped by the time they left the hospital.

The streets were wet and shiny under the streetlights.

Lina sat in the back of Vito's car.

She had not said a word.

She was still holding the old letter.

Her mother's handwriting.

Her mother's words.

Her mother was alive.

After all these years.

Lina looked out the window.

What if she doesn't want me?

Vito glanced at her through the mirror.

She left that letter for you.

That doesn't mean anything.

It means she thought about you.

Lina looked down at the paper. Her fingers moved over the faded writing.

I was eight.

Vito said nothing.

I remember her holding my hand.

Her voice became smaller.

She told me not to be scared.

Vito looked back at the road.

Were you?

All the time.

She gave a small laugh.

I don't remember much after that. People came. They took me somewhere. Then I woke up in a home.

Vito's hands tightened around the steering wheel.

You should never have been alone.

Lina looked at him.

Were you alone too?

Vito's eyes met hers in the mirror.

For a long time.

She wanted to ask more. But he looked away.

So she didn't.

When they reached Lina's shop, two men were standing outside.

Marco was already there. He walked toward the car.

Boss.

Vito got out.

What happened?

Marco handed him a small envelope.

We found this under the shop door.

Vito opened it.

Inside was a photograph.

Lina.

Walking into her shop that morning.

On the back were four words.

SHE KNOWS TOO MUCH.

Vito's face went cold.

Lina stepped out of the car.

What is it?

Nothing.

She looked at him.

Don't lie to me.

Vito looked at the photo. Then gave it to her.

Lina's face changed.

Who took this?

We don't know.

She looked around the street. Suddenly every window felt like an eye. Every car looked dangerous.

I can't keep doing this.

Vito stepped closer.

Doing what?

Living like someone is always watching me.

Her voice shook.

I can't work. I can't walk home. I can't even sleep.

Vito stayed quiet.

I didn't ask for this, Lina said.

I know.

I didn't ask for you.

He looked at her.

I know.

And I didn't ask to become part of your world.

I know.

Lina looked frustrated.

Then why does it feel like I have no choice?

Vito didn't answer.

Because he knew the answer.

She didn't have a choice before.

And he had only made himself another person trying to control her life.

He looked away.

I'll fix it.

Lina shook her head.

You can't fix everything.

She walked inside the shop. Vito watched her go.

Marco stood beside him.

You care about her.

Vito gave him a hard look.

Don't.

Marco raised his hands.

I'm just saying.

Don't say it.

Marco nodded.

But he smiled slightly.

That night, Lina couldn't sleep.

She sat on her bed with the old letter in her hands.

She read it again.

And again.

There was something about the missing part.

Something important.

Her mother had written:

Especially

Then nothing.

Lina frowned. She looked at the paper under the lamp.

There was a small mark at the bottom.

Almost impossible to see.

A number.

17.

Lina stared at it.

Why 17?

She opened an old box under her bed.

Inside were the few things she had from her childhood.

A small dress.

An old toy.

A picture of her mother.

And a little silver key.

Lina picked it up. She had never known what it opened.

She turned it over.

There was a tiny number carved into it.

17.

Her heart started beating faster.

The key was connected to the letter.

She knew it.

But where did it go?

---

Across the city, Vito stood in Don Rocco's office.

Don Rocco was sitting behind his desk.

You've been busy.

Vito said nothing.

You went to Saint Maria.

Vito's eyes narrowed.

Who told you?

Don Rocco smiled.

You think I don't have people watching you?

Vito stepped closer.

What happened to Elena Reyes?

The smile disappeared.

That name means nothing to me.

Don't lie.

Don Rocco leaned back.

You're asking dangerous questions.

Answer me.

Don Rocco's eyes became cold.

Elena betrayed this family.

How?

She stole information.

What information?

Things that were not hers to know.

Vito stared at him.

Where is she?

Don Rocco laughed.

You think I know?

You sent her away.

I sent many people away.

She's alive.

For the first time, Don Rocco's face changed.

Only for a second.

But Vito saw it.

Fear.

Small.

Quick.

Still there.

Vito smiled without humor.

So you know.

Don Rocco stood.

Stay away from this.

No.

You're becoming careless, Vito.

Maybe.

Don Rocco walked around the desk.

You care too much about that girl.

Vito's jaw tightened.

Leave Lina out of this.

You already put her in it.

Don Rocco stepped closer.

She has her mother's blood.

Vito stared at him.

What does that mean?

Don Rocco didn't answer.

Instead, he said quietly,

Ask yourself why Salvatore wants her.

Vito's eyes hardened.

And why do you?

Don Rocco smiled.

Good question.

---

The next morning, Lina opened her shop early.

She had barely slept.

Maya arrived carrying two coffees.

You look terrible.

Thanks.

You're welcome.

Maya handed her the coffee. Lina smiled a little.

I found something.

What?

Lina showed her the key.

Maya turned it around.

Number 17.

Yes.

And?

And I don't know what it opens.

Maya looked at the old key.

Maybe a locker?

Lina thought about it. Then she remembered something.

The home.

What?

When I was little, we had lockers.

Maya's eyes widened.

You think it could be there?

I don't know.

Maya grabbed her jacket.

Then let's go.

Lina laughed softly.

You're not scared?

Of course I am.

Maya opened the door.

But I'm nosy too.

They left together.

Neither of them noticed the black car parked across the street.

Inside, a man watched them.

He lifted his phone.

They left.

A voice answered.

Follow them.

The old children's home was almost empty.

The paint had faded.

The playground was broken.

Lina stood outside for a moment.

Memories came back.

A little girl sitting alone.

A woman giving her food.

Children laughing.

Her mother's face.

Lina closed her eyes.

Maya touched her shoulder.

You okay?

Yeah.

They went inside.

The old woman at the front desk looked up. She was much older now.

She stared at Lina.

Then her eyes widened.

Elena's girl.

Lina stopped.

You knew my mother?

The woman looked nervous.

I knew of her.

You knew she was alive?

The woman looked away. Lina's heart dropped.

Please.

The woman sighed.

She came here once.

When?

Years ago.

Why?

To see you.

Lina's eyes filled with tears.

Did she see me?

No.

Why?

She was being watched.

Lina felt sick.

By who?

The woman shook her head.

I don't know.

Lina placed the key on the desk.

Do you know this?

The woman's face went pale.

Where did you get that?

My mother.

The woman stared at the key. Then she pointed down the hall.

Room seventeen.

Lina's heart jumped. She and Maya hurried down the hallway.

The room was locked.

Lina put the key into the lock.

It turned.

Click.

The door opened.

Inside was a small metal box.

Lina picked it up. Her hands shook.

She opened it.

There were documents inside.

And another photograph.

This time, her mother was standing beside a man.

Lina didn't know him.

But Vito would.

Because the man in the picture was much younger.

Don Rocco.

And beside him stood another man.

Salvatore's father.

The two rival bosses were standing together.

Lina stared at the picture.

They knew each other.

Maya looked confused.

But they're enemies.

Maybe they weren't always.

Lina picked up the document underneath. Her eyes moved across the page.

Then she stopped.

There was one sentence.

Project 17 — witness protection agreement.

Lina looked at Maya.

What does this mean?

Before Maya could answer—

A loud crash came from outside.

They both froze.

Then the sound of footsteps.

Someone was coming down the hallway.

Maya grabbed Lina's hand.

Run.

They ran.

The footsteps came faster.

Lina held the documents against her chest.

They reached the back door.

It wouldn't open.

Maya pulled harder.

Come on!

The door finally opened. They rushed outside.

A black car was waiting.

Lina froze.

The back door opened.

Vito stepped out.

His face was hard.

What are you doing here?

Lina ran toward him.

We found something.

Vito looked at the papers in her hands. Then at the people running out of the building.

His expression changed.

Get in the car.

Vito

Now.

This time Lina didn't argue. She got inside.

Vito followed.

Marco drove away as two cars appeared behind them.

Lina looked at Vito.

Who are they?

Vito looked at the photograph. His face went pale.

You don't understand what you've found.

What?

He looked at her.

Project 17.

Lina's voice was quiet.

What is it?

Vito folded the photograph.

It was the reason your mother disappeared.

The car became silent.

Then Vito looked out the window.

And if Don Rocco knows you have those papers.

He stopped.

Lina whispered,

What?

Vito looked at her.

He will come for you himself.