Chapter 5 - THE SENATOR’S REVENGE
By evening, rumors had spread across Chicago.
A waitress had embarrassed a senator’s wife.
A waitress had confronted powerful people.
A waitress had caught Lorenzo Moretti’s attention.
I wanted none of it.
Then Senator Whitmore appeared on television, accusing an unnamed employee of “creating a dangerous disturbance” at a private event.
My employer called me immediately.
“Emma, you're suspended.”
My stomach dropped.
“Why?”
“Political pressure.”
I knew exactly who was behind it.
When I arrived home, two envelopes waited beneath my apartment door.
The first contained a termination notice.
The second contained a photograph of Noah leaving school.
My blood ran cold.
Someone had written a single sentence across the back:
Stay away from the Morettis.
I barely finished reading when my phone rang.
Lorenzo.
“I know.”
My voice shook.
“You knew?”
“I know about the photograph.”
“What am I supposed to do?”
“Pack a bag.”
“No.”
“Emma.”
“I won't let them control me.”
There was silence.
Then Lorenzo said quietly, “This is no longer about control.”
A pause.
May you like
“This is about keeping you and your brother alive.”
For the first time, I realized his protection might be the only reason we survived.
