Chapter 18 - THE OLD SHADOW RETURNS When Luca was eleven, Mateo received a threat.
It wasn't specific.
It didn't contain a name.
Just a warning that someone remembered the Rinaldi family.
Mateo immediately increased security.
He didn't tell Clara.
That was his mistake.
She discovered it two days later.
“You changed Luca's security schedule.”
“Yes.”
“Without telling me.”
“I was protecting you.”
Clara's expression hardened.
“You were deciding for me.”
Mateo froze.
The words hit him harder than she intended.
He remembered Eleanor.
The documents.
The phrase for the family.
He sat down.
“You're right.”
Clara's anger softened.
“Then show me the threat.”
He handed her the report.
They reviewed it together.
They brought in an outside security consultant.
The threat was considered credible enough for discreet precautions, but not enough to justify isolating Luca.
So they compromised.
Security remained.
Fear did not become the boss.
That night, Clara kissed Mateo.
“You almost made the same mistake.”
“I know.”
“But you stopped.”
Mateo smiled.
“Because you caught me.”
“No.”
May you like
She touched his cheek.
“Because you listened.”
