Chapter 6 - The Signature Belini Needed

By eleven thirty, Luca had already decided he would not follow the instructions.

He would appear to.

That was different.

Emma hated the distinction.

“Sophie is six.”

“I know.”

“No guns near her.”

“I know.”

“No heroic nonsense.”

Luca looked at her.

“That one I cannot promise.”

She almost became angry.

Then she saw the exhaustion beneath the control.

“Fine. Minimal heroic nonsense.”

Marco nearly smiled.

They used the original agreement as bait.

A duplicate went into Luca’s coat.

The real document remained in the chapel vault.

Belini was still confined upstairs.

Before Luca left, he went to see her.

She sat beside the window in yesterday’s red gown.

No jewelry now.

No audience.

“Bellori took Sophie,” Luca said.

Belini’s expression changed.

“What?”

He watched carefully.

The surprise looked real.

“You didn’t know.”

“No.”

“Then help me.”

She laughed once.

“Now you want my help?”

“I want the child alive.”

That erased the bitterness.

Belini looked toward the door.

“Matteo uses Pier Thirty-Seven because the old customs office has two service tunnels.”

Luca stared at her.

“You have been there.”

“Yes.”

“With him?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Her face tightened.

“Because my father made sure I understood the family business before I was old enough to refuse it.”

“Do not make yourself the victim yet.”

“I’m not.”

She looked at him.

“But you keep asking why I did things as if there was one answer.”

Luca waited.

Belini continued.

“The trust was supposed to transfer control quietly. Emma would be blamed for the drive. Her custodial claim would freeze. Bellori would move the evidence before anyone knew what existed.”

“And then?”

“Then I married you.”

Her voice broke slightly.

“That part was not fake.”

Luca gave no reaction.

Belini looked away.

“I was supposed to gain access, not let Matteo take a child.”

“You framed an innocent woman.”

“Yes.”

“You tried to steal from me.”

“Yes.”

“You helped hide evidence about my mother.”

Belini’s eyes filled.

“Yes.”

The honesty came too late to save anything.

But it might save Sophie.

“What is Bellori’s exit route?”

“River tunnel. North side. It opens behind the abandoned ferry warehouse.”

Luca turned to leave.

Belini stopped him.

“Luca.”

He looked back.

“Matteo won’t trade Sophie for the agreement.”

“Why not?”

“Because he doesn’t need the paper anymore.”

Luca’s expression changed.

“What does he need?”

Belini swallowed.

“Emma.”

At Pier Thirty-Seven, noon arrived under a gray sky.

Luca walked into the customs office alone.

At least that was what Bellori saw.

Emma and Marco were two buildings away.

Vittorio’s men watched the river exit.

Bellori stood beside Sophie.

Gray suit.

Replica gold ring.

One hand resting lightly on the back of the child’s chair.

No visible weapon.

That made Luca more cautious, not less.

“Where is the agreement?” Bellori asked.

Luca held up the envelope.

“Where is the child’s mother?”

Bellori smiled.

“Not here?”

“You asked for me alone.”

“I asked because I wanted to know whether Emma trusts you.”

Luca’s eyes moved to Sophie.

She looked frightened but unharmed.

“What do you need Emma for?”

Bellori’s smile disappeared.

“Her signature activates the succession transfer.”

“The trust already names her.”

“Names are not control.”

Bellori stepped closer.

“Elena made the final transfer biometric. Emma signs voluntarily, or the evidence remains sealed beyond anyone’s reach.”

Luca understood.

Belini had never been the final key.

Neither was the dress.

Neither was the marriage.

Emma was.

Bellori leaned toward him.

“So now you understand why she had to be in your house.”

A voice came from behind the customs door.

“I understand enough.”

Bellori turned.

Emma stood there.

Luca’s eyes flashed with anger.

“You were supposed to stay back.”

She ignored him.

“My daughter first.”

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Bellori smiled.

“Now we can finish what your mother started.”