Chapter 6 - THE DEAD WOMAN

Luca opened his mother's grave the next morning.

The coffin was empty.

Not disturbed.

Not robbed.

Empty.

Victor stared into it.

"Boss..."

Luca said nothing.

Elena stood several yards away holding Maya.

Dominic had been informed.

He didn't come.

That told Luca something.

Back at the mansion, Luca confronted him.

"My mother's coffin is empty."

Dominic didn't blink.

"I know."

Luca nearly killed him.

Victor stepped between them.

"YOU KNEW?"

Dominic backed away.

"Your mother wasn't buried there."

"WHERE IS SHE?"

"I don't know."

Luca grabbed Dominic's shirt.

For one miraculous second, rage held him upright without assistance.

"WHERE IS MY MOTHER?"

Dominic stared into his eyes.

"Alive."

Luca released him.

The room tilted.

"Explain."

Dominic straightened his jacket.

"Your mother disappeared three years after your collapse."

"You told me she died."

"Because she told me to."

"Why?"

"She was afraid."

"Of whom?"

Dominic laughed bitterly.

"You."

Luca stared.

"Why would my mother fear me?"

Dominic looked at the wheelchair.

"Because she knew what happened."

Silence.

"She knew who poisoned you."

Luca felt sick.

"Who?"

Dominic shook his head.

"She never told me."

"You're lying."

"Probably."

Luca stared.

Dominic smiled sadly.

"But not about that."

Before Luca could respond, Victor's phone rang.

He answered.

Then his expression changed.

"What?"

He handed Luca the phone.

A woman's voice spoke.

Older.

Weak.

But unmistakable.

"Luca?"

His entire body went still.

"Mom?"

Elena covered her mouth.

The voice broke.

"My boy."

Luca couldn't breathe.

"Where are you?"

"I'm sorry."

"WHERE ARE YOU?"

"I'm sorry I left you."

"Mom, tell me where you are."

"You can't trust Dominic."

Luca looked at his uncle.

Dominic's face hardened.

"You can't trust Adrian."

Adrian.

Luca closed his eyes.

"Who can I trust?"

His mother's answer came immediately.

"Elena."

Everyone looked at her.

Then Evelyn whispered.

"And Luca..."

"Yes?"

"The person who poisoned you knows you're recovering."

"I know."

"No."

Her voice trembled.

"You don't understand."

"What don't I understand?"

"They're not trying to kill you anymore."

Luca's blood went cold.

"Then what do they want?"

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His mother began crying.

"They want Maya."