Chapter 7 - Dinner With the Lombardis
Sebastian called a family dinner.
It sounded almost civilized.
It wasn’t.
At seven o’clock, the formal dining room filled with Lombardis.
Vittorio arrived first.
Then Sebastian’s younger sister Sofia, who had originally arranged Clare’s appointment.
His cousin Marcus came next.
Then Elena Lombardi, Vittorio’s daughter.
Clare had not expected to attend.
Sebastian insisted.
“You found the lie,” he told her. “You should see who reacts when I mention it.”
Owen ate in the kitchen with the chef and two security guards.
Clare sat beside Sebastian.
Carlo stood against the wall.
No one seemed comfortable.
Vittorio lifted his wine.
“To unexpected guests.”
Clare didn’t touch her glass.
Sebastian said, “I found Father’s letter.”
Vittorio’s hand stopped.
Only for a second.
Sofia looked confused.
“What letter?”
Sebastian placed a copy on the table.
Elena read first.
Her face lost color.
Marcus cursed quietly.
Vittorio didn’t read it.
That interested Clare.
“You don’t want to know what it says?” she asked.
“I know what my brother believed before he died.”
Sebastian’s voice became still.
“So you knew the letter existed.”
Vittorio realized his mistake.
Sofia whispered, “Uncle Vittorio?”
He pushed his chair back.
“Antonio became paranoid after the accident.”
“He said the surgery was altered.”
“He blamed himself.”
“He named you.”
Vittorio looked at Sebastian.
“Your father blamed everyone.”
Clare asked, “Was Sebastian able to stand after the accident?”
Vittorio’s eyes flicked toward her.
“No.”
Sebastian placed the photograph on the table.
Sofia gasped.
Elena leaned closer.
Marcus stared.
Vittorio said nothing.
“That’s St. Gabriel,” Sofia whispered.
“Yes,” Sebastian said.
“Two days after the crash?”
“Yes.”
Sofia looked at Vittorio.
“You said he was unconscious.”
“I was told he was.”
“By whom?”
“The doctors.”
Clare spoke quietly.
“Which doctors?”
Vittorio stood.
“I won’t be interrogated by a physical therapist.”
Sebastian didn’t move.
“You’ll sit.”
Every guard in the room remained perfectly still.
Vittorio slowly sat again.
Clare noticed Carlo watching him.
Not angrily.
Fearfully.
Sebastian said, “Thomas Vale is alive.”
This time Vittorio could not hide his reaction.
His face went rigid.
Elena whispered, “Who is Thomas Vale?”
Clare watched Vittorio.
“A doctor who knew about Sebastian’s second surgery.”
Vittorio turned toward Carlo.
That glance revealed more than any confession.
Sebastian saw it.
“So Carlo knew,” Vittorio said.
Carlo’s voice was cold.
“I knew enough to be afraid of you.”
The room changed.
Sofia pushed back from the table.
“What did you do?”
Vittorio stood again.
“Nothing.”
Sebastian said, “Then you won’t mind staying here until I know the truth.”
“You’re detaining family now?”
“I’m protecting it.”
Vittorio looked at Clare.
“You have no idea what you’ve walked into.”
Clare answered, “I’m beginning to.”
His smile disappeared.
After dinner, Sofia found Clare alone.
“My brother wasn’t always like this.”
“Like what?”
“Cold.”
Clare looked through the doorway at Sebastian speaking with security.
“Twenty years is a long time to build armor.”
Sofia nodded.
“He was twenty-three when it happened.”
Clare had not realized he had been that young.
“He was supposed to leave Chicago.”
“Why?”
“He wanted out.”
Clare turned.
“Out of the family business?”
Sofia nodded.
“He told our father he was leaving. The accident happened the next morning.”
A chill ran through Clare.
“Who knew?”
“Our father.”
“Anyone else?”
Sofia looked toward the dining room.
“Uncle Vittorio.”
At that moment Adrian hurried toward them.
“Ms. Bennett.”
Something in his expression frightened her.
“What?”
“Dr. Thomas Vale agreed to talk.”
Relief flashed through her.
Then Adrian continued.
“But he refuses to speak by phone.”
“Why?”
“He says Sebastian has to come alone.”
Clare glanced toward Sebastian.
Adrian’s voice dropped.
May you like
“And he says if Vittorio finds out where he is, Dr. Vale won’t survive long enough to explain what happened.”
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