Chapter 7 - The Brother in the Photograph
Victor's brother had been dead for eleven years.
His name was Matteo Castellano, and he had once been the person Victor trusted most. He had managed the family's shipping business, handled the accounts, and smiled at charity dinners while making deals that would have put lesser men in prison.
"Matteo died in a warehouse fire," Victor said as they drove to a safe apartment. "The police called it an accident."
"Your mother thought he was alive?"
"She thought he had arranged Daniel's death. She never proved it."
Lily sat with the notebook on her lap. "And the third boat?"
"I don't know."
"You keep saying that."
"Because it's true."
The safe apartment was above a closed tailor shop. Victor's men checked every room before letting them inside. Lily hated the locked doors, the cameras, and the fact that nobody asked whether she wanted to be there.
She opened the notebook.
Most pages were filled with dates, container numbers, and initials. Several names appeared repeatedly: Matteo Castellano, Adrian Vale, and a company called Northstar Relief.
The last page held a list of children.
Beside each name was a date and a destination.
Lily's stomach twisted.
"This is a trafficking ledger."
Victor nodded.
"How many?"
"At least twenty-three."
"Where are they now?"
"We don't know."
A phone buzzed on the table. Victor checked it.
His expression changed.
"What?"
He turned the screen toward her.
A security photograph showed a man entering a private clinic. The face was older, scarred along the jaw, but the eyes were unmistakable.
Matteo Castellano.
Beneath the picture was a message from an unknown number:
YOUR BROTHER IS ALIVE. YOUR DAUGHTER IS NEXT.
Lily stared at Victor.
"Why does it say daughter?"
May you like
Victor looked at her as if the answer hurt.
"Because Matteo believes you're mine to protect."
