Chapter 14 - Matteo Makes His Choice
News of Daniel Whitmore’s arrest spread quickly.
Within forty-eight hours, federal investigators announced an inquiry into historic property fraud tied to Whitmore companies, former Midwest Continental executives, and several shell corporations.
Victor Duca began cooperating.
Luca did too.
The current documents from Daniel’s safe connected the forged Morgan sale agreement to the refinancing package Matteo had stopped on the day Riley towed his car.
The city rescinded the emergency closure notice.
Morgan Towing reopened fully.
And Riley received nine purchase offers in three days.
The lowest was twenty-two million.
The highest was fifty-one.
Connor printed that one and taped it above the coffee maker.
Riley removed it.
He put it back.
“Motivation.”
“For what?”
“Existing.”
Patrick sat nearby.
“I support him.”
“You two are terrible.”
For the first time in weeks, life almost felt normal.
Almost.
Then Matteo disappeared.
Not literally.
He answered texts.
Called occasionally.
But he stopped visiting the yard.
Riley told herself she did not care.
On day four, she admitted that was a lie.
On day five, she became angry.
On day six, Sofia called.
“My brother is an idiot.”
Riley leaned against her truck.
“Specific category?”
“You.”
“That clears nothing up.”
“He thinks you need space.”
“Did I request space?”
“No.”
“Then yes. Idiot.”
Sofia laughed.
“He has a board meeting today.”
“About what?”
“The river district.”
Riley went still.
“What about it?”
“Duca Development owns three surrounding parcels.”
Riley understood.
Matteo had a financial interest in her land.
Of course he did.
The realization hurt more than it should.
“Did he know?”
“Not when you met.”
“When did he find out?”
“The first night.”
Riley remembered him staring across the yard.
How long has your family owned this land?
Entire parcel?
She felt stupid.
“He knew almost immediately.”
“Yes.”
“And never told me.”
Sofia was quiet.
“He wanted to.”
“That’s what everybody says after they don’t.”
Riley ended the call.
Twenty minutes later, she drove to Duca Development.
She walked into Matteo’s office without an appointment.
His assistant did not stop her.
Probably wise.
Matteo stood when she entered.
“Riley.”
“You knew.”
He exhaled.
“Sofia.”
“Don’t blame your sister.”
“I’m not.”
“When?”
“The night after you towed my car.”
“And you said nothing.”
“I discovered Duca Development owned neighboring parcels. I didn’t know the full value.”
“But you knew my property mattered to your company.”
“Yes.”
Riley laughed bitterly.
“You let me believe this was completely about helping.”
“It became about helping.”
“Became.”
Matteo flinched.
“That sounded worse than I intended.”
“What was it at first?”
“Information.”
The answer hurt because it was honest.
Matteo stepped closer.
“When I saw your property, I recognized the location from a redevelopment map. I investigated.”
“Me?”
“The land.”
“Difference?”
“Yes.”
“Not from where I’m standing.”
“Riley—”
“You should have told me.”
“I know.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because by the time I realized how important it was, you already distrusted everyone connected to this.”
“So you hid it.”
“Yes.”
“Just like Dad. Thomas. Everyone.”
“Yes.”
His refusal to defend himself made her angrier.
She turned.
Matteo said, “I withdrew Duca Development from bidding.”
Riley stopped.
“What?”
“This morning.”
She turned back.
“Our board wanted authorization to offer sixty million.”
Riley stared.
“Sixty?”
“I voted against it.”
“You own enough shares to block it?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because any offer from me now would be impossible for you to evaluate without wondering whether everything between us was negotiation.”
Riley said nothing.
Matteo continued.
“So Duca is out.”
“You gave up a sixty-million-dollar development deal?”
“No.”
“A parcel worth—”
“Money.”
She stared.
“You sound ridiculous.”
“Probably.”
“Your board must hate me.”
“Several do.”
“This isn’t funny.”
“I know.”
Riley studied him.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because telling you I sacrificed something for you would turn it into leverage.”
That stopped her.
“I didn’t do it to make you choose me,” he said. “I did it so your choice would remain yours.”
Riley’s anger loosened.
Not gone.
But changed.
Matteo returned to his desk.
He removed a folder.
“I had an independent valuation done.”
He handed it to her.
“No Duca ownership assumptions. No partnership proposal. No development condition.”
Riley opened it.
Estimated market value: $43–$57 million.
“You paid for this?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“So nobody buys your land for twenty.”
Riley looked at him.
“That might be the least romantic romantic gesture anyone has ever made.”
A faint smile appeared.
“I’m improving.”
She should have remained angry.
Part of her still was.
But she understood why he had stepped away.
“You could have trusted me with the truth.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t do it again.”
“I won’t.”
She closed the report.
Matteo looked at her.
“What happens now?”
“With the land?”
“With us.”
Riley’s heartbeat changed.
“I don’t know.”
He nodded.
No pressure.
No persuasion.
That was exactly why she stepped forward.
She kissed him.
Matteo froze for half a second.
Then wrapped an arm around her.
When they separated, Riley whispered, “That doesn’t mean I’m done being mad.”
“I assumed.”
“Good.”
His forehead rested against hers.
“I missed you.”
Riley hated how much she liked hearing that.
“I noticed.”
“You noticed I missed you?”
“No. I noticed you were gone.”
“Better.”
A knock came.
The door opened.
A board member entered.
Saw them.
Stopped.
Matteo did not move away.
“Yes?”
The man cleared his throat.
“The city called.”
Riley stepped back.
“What city?”
“Chicago planning commission.”
He looked at Riley.
“They’re suspending the river district approvals.”
“Why?”
“Questions about title history.”
Riley’s stomach tightened.
The board member continued.
“And there’s another issue.”
He handed Matteo a letter.
Matteo read.
His face changed.
“What?”
He passed it to Riley.
The city was claiming an easement across Morgan Towing based on a 1974 infrastructure agreement.
If valid, the easement could allow public redevelopment through the property whether Riley sold or not.
Riley stared at the paper.
“So after everything, they can just take the access?”
“Not necessarily.”
“But?”
Matteo looked grim.
“We need the original deed.”
Riley laughed without humor.
“Please don’t tell me it’s in another hidden vault.”
“No.”
“Where?”
Thomas called at exactly that moment.
Matteo answered.
Thomas spoke for thirty seconds.
Matteo closed his eyes.
Riley waited.
“Well?”
“The original deed was held by Morgan & Pierce Title Company.”
“And?”
“Company closed in 1999.”
“Of course.”
“Records went to private storage.”
Riley stared.
“Please don’t say Box 314.”
Matteo almost smiled.
“No.”
“Good.”
“They were transferred to the Cook County archives.”
Riley exhaled.
Finally.
Something normal.
Then Matteo continued.
“But the Morgan deed is missing.”
Riley’s relief vanished.
“Missing?”
“There’s only a notation saying it was removed for legal review in 2001.”
“By whom?”
Matteo looked at her.
“Ellen Morgan.”
Riley closed her eyes.
Her mother had done it again.
Except this time there was no key.
No letter.
No marked atlas.
Only a missing deed capable of deciding whether Riley controlled her future.
May you like
And somewhere among the few belongings Ellen had left behind, the answer was waiting.
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