Chapter 5 - The Ghosts We Leave Behind
The heavy oak doors of the dining room slammed shut, rattled by a violent, booming force from the other side.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
The sound of a battering ram against the estate’s reinforced front gates echoed through the manor. The remaining guests in the dining room erupted into panic, scrambling away from the windows.
Matteo held his father’s head in his lap. Arthur was gasping, his skin the color of old parchment.
“Dad, hold on,” Matteo ordered, his voice tight with a fear he couldn't hide. He looked up at his head of security. “Get the guests into the basement safe room. Now! Clara, take Caleb and go with them.”
I scooped Caleb into my arms. He was surprisingly heavy, but adrenaline made him feel light. I turned to run, but Caleb squirmed in my grip, reaching back toward Arthur.
“Mommy, wait! Mr. Arthur’s drawing! I have to give it to him!”
“Not now, Caleb!” I cried, pulling him toward the hidden door behind the wine racks.
“But it makes him feel safe!” Caleb insisted, fighting tears. He reached into his little pocket and pulled out a folded piece of construction paper.
Matteo caught sight of it. He reached out and snatched the paper from Caleb’s hand. “I’ll give it to him, buddy. Go with your mom. Now.”
I didn't wait. I carried my son down the narrow concrete stairs into the darkness of the safe room, surrounded by thirty weeping, terrified socialites in ruined designer gowns.
Upstairs, the heavy thud of the front doors giving way shook the ceiling above us. Gunfire erupted. Muffled shouts. The sound of shattering crystal.
I sat on the cold floor of the bunker, wrapping my arms tightly around Caleb, burying my face in his hair. I prayed to a God I hadn't spoken to since David died.
In the dining room above, Matteo stood up, leaving his father under the protection of two armed guards. He pulled a heavy Glock from his shoulder holster, his eyes locked on the splintering mahogany doors.
Beatrice was cowering beneath the dining table, her hands over her ears.
“You brought them into my home,” Matteo sneered down at her.
“Give them the money!” Beatrice shrieked. “Just give it to them!”
The dining room doors burst open.
Four men in tactical gear stepped into the room, their assault rifles raised. Behind them walked a tall, sharply dressed man with silver hair and a quiet, terrifying calm. He stepped over the broken glass, looking around the ruined dinner party.
“Matteo Moretti,” the man said smoothly. “I apologize for the intrusion. But your mother’s tab is overdue.”
Matteo kept his gun aimed squarely at the man’s chest. “You’re Hector. The Cartel’s accountant.”
“I am,” Hector smiled. He looked under the table at Beatrice. “Hello, Beatrice. Your time is up.”
“Matteo, please!” Beatrice sobbed, crawling out from under the table and grabbing her son’s leg. “I’m your mother!”
Matteo didn't look down at her. He kept his eyes on Hector. “She owes you twenty million. If I pay it, do you leave my house and never return?”
Hector shook his head slowly. “The debt was twenty million yesterday. Today, it’s twenty-five. Late fees, you understand.”
Matteo’s jaw clenched. He reached into his breast pocket with his free hand, keeping his weapon steady. He pulled out a secure digital token—the key to the Moretti offshore accounts.
“Take it,” Matteo said, tossing the token onto the table. “Take the twenty-five. And take her with you.”
Beatrice gasped. “No! Matteo, no!”
Hector picked up the token, a satisfied smirk on his face. “A pleasure doing business. Grab the woman.”
Two cartel soldiers grabbed Beatrice by her arms, dragging her screaming toward the door. Vanessa, still huddled in the corner, watched her mother being taken away without lifting a finger to help.
“Wait,” Hector said, pausing near the doorway. He looked down at Arthur, who was still struggling to breathe on the floor.
Hector’s smile faded. A look of deep, genuine surprise crossed his face.
“Arthur Moretti,” Hector said softly. “You’re alive.”
Arthur wheezed, glaring up at the cartel boss. “Hector.”
“I was told you drowned eight years ago,” Hector said, his eyes narrowing. He looked back at Beatrice, who was struggling in the soldiers' grip. “You told me he drowned.”
“He did! He was supposed to!” Beatrice screamed.
Hector turned back to Arthur. He reached into his tailored jacket and pulled out a small, black velvet pouch. He tossed it onto Arthur’s chest.
“I believe this belongs to you, old friend,” Hector said quietly.
Arthur’s shaking hands opened the pouch.
Matteo looked down.
Inside the pouch was a simple, tarnished silver wedding ring.
Arthur closed his eyes, a tear escaping down his wrinkled cheek. “David’s ring.”
Matteo froze. He looked at Hector. “Why do you have my father’s driver’s ring?”
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Hector’s eyes locked onto Matteo’s, filled with a dark, chilling truth.
“Because, Matteo,” Hector said, “eight years ago, your mother didn’t just pay us to kill David. She paid us to kill David’s wife and child, too. We just couldn’t find them.”
