Chapter 6 - The Secret Sanctuary
Emily gasped, stepping closer to Teresa. The young waitress had absolutely no idea her sweet, elderly boss was connected to a massive mafia war.
Teresa sat in the red vinyl booth, tears streaming down her face. "Your father made me swear I would never tell you," she cried softly. "I didn't want you boys to carry that burden."
Luca looked down at Teresa, the memories of that terrifying winter flooding back. He remembered hiding in a freezing, dark basement. He remembered a kind woman sneaking down every single night, bringing them hot food, warm blankets, and risking her own life to keep them entirely hidden from the men hunting them.
Teresa hadn't just been a diner owner. She had been their absolute sanctuary.
"He was paying you," Luca whispered lethally, looking directly at Adrian. The realization of the massive, decades-long family betrayal washed over him. "Dad was paying your holding company out of his private accounts to cover the property taxes and the lease for this building forever. To make sure Teresa never had to worry about a single dime."
May you like
Adrian swallowed hard, sweat beading on his forehead. "I... I didn't know the money was for her!"
👉 What did Adrian actually do with the money meant to protect the woman who saved their lives?
