Chapter 9 - The Man Who Sold Me Twice
The boy was seven.
His name was Noah.
Daniel had kept him secret because Noah’s mother had died and Salerno threatened the child.
Hazel understood the leverage.
She did not forgive the betrayal.
“You could have told me.”
“They would have killed him.”
“So you let them kill me?”
Daniel had no answer.
Again.
Hazel realized explanations were not absolution.
They rescued Noah.
Evelyn escaped.
Salerno was captured by Luca’s men.
The ledger exposed enough corruption to shake Chicago.
But Hazel refused to release it blindly.
Innocent employees and families could be destroyed alongside guilty men.
She and Luca worked together.
For days.
Then weeks.
Their relationship changed quietly.
He brought her coffee without asking.
She learned he hated olives.
He learned she read the endings of books first when anxious.
She learned the ruthless mafia boss secretly funded three youth shelters.
He learned Hazel could not cook rice without burning it.
One night, she found Luca asleep over documents.
She covered him with a blanket.
His hand caught hers.
“You’re staring.”
“You were asleep.”
“I’m a light sleeper.”
“You snore.”
“I absolutely do not.”
“You do.”
“Slander.”
She smiled.
Then Luca kissed her.
Softly.
He stopped immediately.
Hazel stared at him.
“Why did you stop?”
“Because you didn’t say yes.”
Her heart broke open.
She touched his face.
“Yes.”
The second kiss was different.
Still gentle.
But chosen.
For the first time since Daniel’s betrayal, Hazel did not feel like someone else was writing her future.
Then Luca’s phone rang.
Sofia answered from the hallway.
Her face drained.
“Luca.”
He stood.
“What?”
“They found Salerno’s transport van.”
“And?”
“Everyone inside is dead.”
Hazel’s blood chilled.
“Salerno?”
“Gone.”
Sofia looked at Hazel.
“There was a message written in blood.”
Luca’s expression hardened.
“What message?”
May you like
Sofia swallowed.
THE BRIDE DIES FIRST.
