EPISODE 13 — A CRACK IN HIS WALLS
972 Words
The next morning, Bianca woke to an unusually quiet mansion.
She walked downstairs and immediately noticed the difference.
The guards were more alert.
Two unfamiliar men stood near the entrance.
And Lorenzo's usual driver was nowhere to be seen.
Bianca approached Maria.
"What's happening?"
Maria lowered her voice.
"Security has been increased."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
Bianca knew that wasn't the complete truth.
Before she could ask again, Lorenzo appeared.
He was dressed in a dark suit, his expression unreadable.
"Bianca."
She turned.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
He looked toward the guards.
"Stay inside today."
She folded her arms.
"Again?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I have business to handle."
"That doesn't explain why I can't leave."
Lorenzo stepped closer.
"Someone has been watching the mansion."
Bianca's expression changed.
"Ferraro?"
"We don't know."
"Then how do you know it's dangerous?"
"Because I know the difference between someone watching and someone preparing."
She stared at him.
"Are you expecting an attack?"
"No."
His answer came too quickly.
Bianca noticed.
"You are."
Lorenzo sighed.
"I don't want you involved."
"Then stop making decisions for me."
"This isn't a discussion."
"And that's exactly the problem."
She walked past him.
Lorenzo caught her wrist gently.
She turned.
His grip immediately loosened.
"I'm trying to protect you."
Bianca looked at his hand around her wrist.
Then at him.
"I know."
Her voice softened.
"But you can't protect someone by keeping them completely in the dark."
Lorenzo released her.
For several seconds, they simply looked at each other.
Finally, he said,
"Stay close to the guards."
Bianca nodded.
"Fine."
---
THE ROMANO OFFICE
Lorenzo entered his office to find three men waiting.
His security chief placed several files on the desk.
"We found the leak."
Lorenzo opened the first file.
A name was circled.
RICHARD BELLINI.
"Who is he?"
"One of the senior financial advisers."
Lorenzo's eyes narrowed.
"How long?"
"We believe he's been passing information to De Luca for months."
"What information?"
"Movement schedules. Warehouse locations. Security changes."
Lorenzo closed the file.
"Bring him in."
---
Richard was brought into the room less than an hour later.
He looked nervous.
"Don."
Lorenzo remained seated.
"How long have you been working for Ferraro?"
Richard's face went pale.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Lorenzo pushed the file across the desk.
"Then explain this."
Richard looked down.
His hands began to shake.
"I can explain."
"You have thirty seconds."
"I never wanted anyone hurt."
"You sold information about my organization."
"I was threatened."
"By Ferraro?"
Richard nodded.
Lorenzo stared at him.
"Why didn't you come to me?"
Richard lowered his eyes.
"Because I was afraid."
Lorenzo stood.
"You should have been."
Richard looked up.
"What are you going to do?"
Lorenzo walked toward the door.
"Take him downstairs."
His men grabbed Richard.
Lorenzo stopped.
"Don't kill him."
The men looked surprised.
"Don?"
"I want to know everything Ferraro knows."
---
THE GARDEN
Bianca was sitting alone when Valentina appeared.
"You look worried."
Bianca looked up.
"I've been married to Lorenzo for less than a week and already people are trying to destroy him."
Valentina sat beside her.
"That's Lorenzo's world."
Bianca looked at her.
"You knew this would happen."
"I knew his enemies wouldn't disappear because he got married."
Bianca sighed.
"I wish I understood him."
Valentina smiled faintly.
"Nobody understands Lorenzo completely."
"You did."
"I thought I did."
Bianca studied her.
"Do you still love him?"
Valentina didn't answer immediately.
"Some feelings don't disappear just because you leave."
Bianca looked away.
"But he doesn't love you."
Valentina's expression tightened.
"No."
She stood.
"But that doesn't mean I stopped hoping."
She walked away.
Bianca watched her.
For the first time, she felt something unexpected.
Not jealousy.
Pity.
---
FERRARO'S NEXT MOVE
Ferraro listened quietly as De Luca explained what had happened.
"Bellini has been caught."
Ferraro didn't react.
"Did he reveal anything?"
"No."
Ferraro smiled.
"Good."
De Luca looked confused.
"Good?"
"Because now Lorenzo believes he found the leak."
He stood.
"Let him celebrate."
"What's the next move?"
Ferraro walked toward the window.
"We don't attack the mansion."
"Then where?"
Ferraro turned.
"Her mother."
De Luca's expression changed.
"You said we wouldn't touch Bianca."
"We won't."
He smiled.
"We'll make her leave the mansion herself."
---
THE HOSPITAL
That afternoon, Bianca received a call.
"Hello?"
A nurse spoke quickly.
"Miss Moretti, there's been a problem with your mother's treatment."
Bianca stood immediately.
"What happened?"
"We need you to come."
"I'm coming."
She grabbed her bag.
One of the guards approached.
"Donna, where are you going?"
"The hospital."
"I'll inform the Don."
"Fine."
She walked toward the car.
Then stopped.
Something felt wrong.
She turned toward the guard.
"Did Lorenzo ask you to stay with me?"
"Yes."
Bianca nodded.
"Then come with me."
---
THE HOSPITAL CORRIDOR
Bianca rushed toward her mother's room.
The door was open.
Her heart dropped.
"Mom?"
No answer.
She entered.
Sofia was sitting upright.
Confused.
"Bianca?"
Bianca rushed to her.
"Mom! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
Bianca looked around.
"Then why did they call me?"
Sofia frowned.
"Who called you?"
Bianca froze.
The nurse who had called her was nowhere in sight.
Her guard immediately reached for his weapon.
"Donna..."
Bianca's heart began pounding.
Someone had deliberately brought her here.
And whoever it was knew exactly how to make her leave the Romano mansion.
She slowly turned toward the hallway.
A man stood at the far end.
Their eyes met.
He immediately turned and disappeared.
"Stop!"
The guard ran after him.
Bianca stayed beside her mother.
Her hands were trembling.
Sofia looked at her.
"What is happening?"
Bianca swallowed.
"Nothing, Mom."
But this time, she knew she was lying.
Someone had just made their first move against her.
And this wasn't about the Romano mansion.
It was about the one person Bianca could never afford to lose.
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