Chapter 9: The return of the dead
1124 Words
[Antonio's POV]
I stood by the window watching the faint glow of the city when the door to my study burst open without a knock. Enzo’s footsteps were familiar; I didn't need to turn around. He dropped into the chair across from my desk, stretching his legs out. Enzo had been unusually quiet since the wedding. I’d known him long enough to read the storm beneath the surface.
“You want to tell me why you look like you swallowed a hornet?” I asked without turning away from the window.
“I found your wife snooping in your study.” His voice was tight and controlled.
That got my attention. I turned slowly, “Did you now?”
“You won’t believe it.” Enzo turned to face me, his expression was unreadable. “She found the letter, Antonio.”
I felt a slow smirk spread across my face. “Good.”
Enzo froze. “Good?”
I crossed to my desk and dropped into the chair, pouring a glass of whiskey.
Enzo didn't move. “She saw her mother’s name and started asking questions. You know she’s not gonna let this go right?”
“She’s not supposed to let it go.” I took a sip of the whiskey letting it burn in my throat. “That’s the entire point.”
Enzo stared at me like I’ve lost my mind. “What are you talking about?”
“You think I didn’t know she’ll go looking for the old woman?” I set the glass down. “I left the door to my study open and left the letter where she’s gonna find it. I wanted her to find it.”
Silence settled in the room.
Enzo stared at me, his expression unreadable. “I’m not following.”
“Think about it, her mother mentioned the key in the letter, but it doesn't say where.” I let the words hang. “Maybe the letter would help her remember something she’d forgotten, something that’s gonna lead us to the key.”
Enzo was quiet for a moment. Then he rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly looking uncomfortable. “About that…”
I narrowed my eyes. “What?”
Enzo winced. “I'm sorry your genius plan didn't work out.”
“What did you do, Enzo?”
He rubbed his temples slowly “I… might have taken the letter from her before she could read it.”
The room went still.
The chair creaked as I sat forward “You what?”
“Look man, I didn't know this was your plan to get to the key.” Enzo was already standing up, brushing his hands through his hair. “You asked me to keep an eye on her while you were gone. You could have at least told me about your plans.”
“Are you saying this is my fault?”
“All I'm saying is that you should have communicated your plans with me.” He held his hands up, defensive, a smile tugging at his lips. “Which is basically your fault.”
“You just made my job ten times harder.” I stared at Enzo who was still smiling. “ You think this is funny?” I threw a book at him. He caught it before it could hit his face.
He was still grinning as he set the book aside. “Don’t worry you'll have plenty of chances to find the key.”
“I hate you.” I settled in my chair. “But it'll be your funeral if the plan fails again.”
Enzo sat back on his chair. “I know you love me,” he said laughing.
"So." Enzo's tone shifted, lighter now, almost teasing. "Since we're on the subject of terrible decisions, what did you give her as a wedding gift?”
I felt my mouth curve into a slow smirk. "Something she won't forget for a long time.”
Enzo's eyes narrowed. "What did you do?”
I crossed to the window, looking out at the city below. The Ashford estate was still burning in the distance, a faint orange glow against the night sky. I could still hear the blast in my memory. I could still see her face when it happened.
"I burned her house down."
The silence stretched.
Enzo's voice came out strangled. "You what?”
Enzo stared at me for a long moment. Then he burst out laughing.
"I'm sorry," he managed between gasps. "I'm sorry, I just…you burned down her childhood home. On your wedding night. And you're calling that a gift?” he said, as if he needed to confirm the details out loud for them to make sense.
“I thought the timing was appropriate." I crossed over to my chair and leaned into it.
"The timing." Enzo let out a short, incredulous laugh. "You waited until she was standing right there. You timed it?"
"Of course I timed it. What's the point of a gift if you're not there to see them unwrap it?”
He took a long drink, studying me over the rim of the glass. "Most people give jewelry."
"Yeah, I know. Most people are boring."
"You're not going to explain yourself, are you?"
I turned my chair toward him, crossing one leg over the other. "What's there to explain? The house was an eyesore. Now it's not. Problem solved.”
Enzo shook his head slowly. "She's going to hate you even more now. If that's possible.”
“I know.” I took a sip of the whiskey.
He shook his head, something unreadable crossing his face, then he took a glass and poured himself some whiskey.
“Try not to burn anything else tonight. Some of us would like to sleep.”
“No promises.”
“That reminds me.” He straightened in his chair. “ How did the meeting in Calabria go?”
“I didn't confront him.”
Enzo was silent for a moment. "You... what?"
"I went to Calabria. I tracked down Matteo Bellucci's operation. I had him in my sights."
"And?"
"And I let him go."
The silence stretched between us like a wire pulled too tight.
Enzo stood slowly. "Why?"
"I recognized him."
"Recognized who? Bellucci?”
I turned to face him. "Luca."
The name hung in the air between us.
Enzo went very still. "That's not possible.”
"I thought the same thing." My voice was calm, measured. The voice I used when I was holding something together that wanted to shatter. "But I saw his face. The way he moved. The way he gave orders. It was Luca."
"Luca is dead." Enzo's voice had gone flat.
- Writer
