Chapter 8 - The Threat From the Past
Lucien’s cooperation made enemies.
One of them was Matteo Rinaldi, a former associate who blamed Lucien for the federal investigation.
When Matteo learned about Elena and Adrian, he saw them as leverage.
The threat arrived in a plain envelope.
A photograph of Elena pushing Adrian’s stroller.
A note beneath it.
You took everything from us. Now you will understand loss.
Lucien went cold.
His first instinct was violence.
His old instincts came quickly—find Matteo first, make him disappear, make everyone afraid.
But Elena had taught him the cost of that world.
So Lucien called the FBI agent handling his case.
He told the truth.
He gave names.
He accepted protective measures.
Elena was furious when she learned Adrian would need security.
“I did not leave your world just to be trapped by it,” she said.
Lucien stood in her apartment doorway, unable to defend himself.
“I know.”
“You keep bringing danger to us.”
“I know.”
“And what are you going to do?”
Lucien looked at Adrian asleep in his crib.
“This time, I am going to end it the right way.”
With evidence from Lucien and investigators, Matteo was arrested before he could act.
The threat was gone.
But something else had changed.
Elena had watched Lucien face danger without becoming the man he used to be.
For the first time, she wondered whether change was possible.
Not guaranteed.
May you like
Not complete.
But possible.
