Chapter 10 - The Man in the Wheelchair
Massimo changed the plan.
The wedding would continue.
But now it would not merely expose Camille and Dean.
It would end them.
Samuel Greer prepared sealed copies of the ledger.
Luca duplicated every video.
Marco Velez recorded a sworn statement about the ambush.
Hale gave testimony from his hospital bed.
Independent specialists reviewed Massimo’s medical records.
The manipulated reports were documented.
Everything was placed in three separate locations.
If Massimo died, the evidence would not die with him.
That mattered.
Because Dean was getting nervous.
Three days before the wedding, Massimo found him inside the medical room.
Dean was holding one of Hale’s empty bottles.
“What are you doing?”
Dean turned.
“Looking.”
“For?”
“Answers.”
Massimo almost admired the performance.
Dean walked toward him.
“Hale disappeared.”
“I noticed.”
“You don’t seem concerned.”
“I dislike him.”
Dean crouched beside the wheelchair.
“What did the kid give you?”
Massimo’s heart remained steady.
“What kid?”
“Nina.”
“What did she pick up?”
“A pill.”
“Where is it?”
Massimo shrugged.
“Trash.”
Dean stared.
“You threw it away?”
“What was I supposed to do?”
“Build a shrine?”
Dean’s eyes dropped.
Massimo had deliberately worn soft leather shoes.
The soles were clean.
Almost.
A faint scrape marked the right heel.
Dean noticed it.
Massimo noticed Dean noticing it.
Neither spoke.
Dean stood.
“Your shoes are scratched.”
Massimo looked down.
“Tragic.”
“How?”
“I own floors.”
Dean smiled faintly.
“Funny.”
“What?”
“Most men who haven’t walked in six months don’t scrape the bottoms of their shoes.”
The room went silent.
Massimo looked at him.
Dean looked back.
Then Massimo laughed.
“You think I can walk?”
Dean’s eyes remained cold.
“Can you?”
Massimo leaned back.
“Open the door.”
Dean did not move.
“Open it.”
Dean stepped aside.
Massimo rolled toward the hallway.
As he passed, Dean grabbed his shoulder.
Massimo stopped.
Every muscle in his body tightened.
Dean whispered near his ear.
“If you’re playing with me, brother…”
Brother.
The word made Massimo feel sick.
“…make sure you know how the game ends.”
Massimo slowly turned his head.
“I taught you the game.”
Dean’s grip tightened.
Massimo stared at his hand.
Dean released him.
Massimo rolled away.
The moment the elevator doors closed, his breathing changed.
Dean knew.
Maybe not completely.
But enough.
Massimo returned to the secure suite.
Carla was packing.
“What are you doing?”
“Getting Nina out.”
“No.”
“Mr. Rinaldi—”
“Massimo.”
She stopped.
It was the first time he had asked her to use his first name.
“Massimo.”
Her voice softened but remained firm.
“Dean is watching her.”
“He watches everyone.”
“He asked one of the maids what Nina told you about the pill.”
Massimo’s face changed.
“When?”
“This morning.”
He immediately called Luca.
No answer.
Again.
Nothing.
Massimo looked toward the hallway.
Something was wrong.
He pushed the chair forward.
The lights flickered.
Then died.
Carla froze.
“Nina?”
A scream came from upstairs.
Carla ran.
Massimo followed as fast as the wheelchair allowed.
The backup lights glowed red along the hallway.
One guard lay unconscious near the nursery entrance.
Another was missing.
Carla reached Nina’s room.
Empty.
The window was open.
Curtains moved in the cold night air.
On the carpet sat Nina’s stuffed rabbit.
Carla made a sound Massimo would remember for the rest of his life.
“No.”
She grabbed the rabbit.
“No, no, no.”
Massimo’s face became terrifyingly calm.
His phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
Dean’s voice.
“You should have stayed broken.”
Massimo gripped the phone.
“Where is she?”
Dean laughed quietly.
“You finally sound like yourself.”
“If you touch her—”
“I don’t hurt children.”
“You discussed killing her.”
“That was Camille.”
Massimo’s eyes sharpened.
Interesting.
The alliance was cracking.
Dean continued.
“I need the red ledger.”
Massimo looked at Carla.
She was shaking.
“Where is Nina?”
“Safe.”
“Proof.”
A small voice came through the phone.
“Uncle Massimo?”
Carla grabbed Massimo’s arm.
“Nina!”
“Mommy?”
Carla sobbed.
“I’m here, baby.”
Dean returned to the line.
“Midnight.”
“Old boathouse.”
“Bring the ledger.”
“Come alone.”
The call ended.
Carla stared at Massimo.
“You cannot go alone.”
“I’m not.”
“You heard him.”
Massimo pushed the wheelchair backward.
Then locked the brakes.
Carla watched.
Massimo placed both hands on the armrests.
He stood.
Slowly.
Painfully.
Completely.
Carla stared through tears.
Massimo reached for the cane Luca had hidden behind the bookcase.
“Dean wants the man in the wheelchair.”
May you like
His gray eyes turned cold.
“He’s going to meet someone else.”
