Chapter 2 - The Name Belini Remembered

The men in dark coats did not rush the alley.

That made Emma more afraid.

Professionals rarely hurried when they believed the outcome was already decided.

Rain ran from the loading awning in silver sheets.

Luca stayed behind the brick corner with one hand pressed to his injured shoulder.

Belini stood beside him.

Too pale.

Too quiet.

Emma watched the three vehicles.

“Who are they?”

Belini looked at her.

“Your old people.”

Luca turned.

“Her what?”

Emma did not answer.

One of the men stepped forward.

No weapon visible.

No panic.

He raised both hands.

“Emma Evans.”

The name struck harder than the gunfire had.

Luca’s eyes moved to her.

“Evans.”

Emma kept watching the alley.

“That name is dead.”

The man called again.

“We only want to talk.”

Emma almost laughed.

People who only wanted to talk did not arrive in three black vehicles.

Belini whispered, “I saw your photograph in Victor’s file.”

Luca looked at her.

“What file?”

“The one he kept on people who could become problems.”

Emma’s jaw tightened.

“How long ago?”

“Two years.”

That made no sense.

Emma Bennett had existed for three years.

Emma Evans had not.

Not officially.

One of the men moved closer.

“Emma.”

She raised Luca’s spare weapon.

“Stop there.”

He stopped.

Good.

Still trained.

Still cautious.

Still not afraid enough.

Luca’s voice stayed low.

“Who were you?”

Emma did not look at him.

“Someone who made a mistake.”

“That is not an answer.”

“No.”

The man in the rain spoke again.

“Victor is looking for you.”

Luca’s expression became cold.

“He already found me.”

The man finally looked toward Luca.

“Then you’re more involved than we hoped.”

Marco’s voice came through Luca’s phone.

“Boss, police are two minutes out.”

Emma made a decision.

“Those men leave before police arrive.”

Luca stared at her.

“You are giving orders again.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because if they wanted me dead, they would not be standing in the rain asking politely.”

Belini looked at Emma.

“And if they want you alive?”

“That is worse.”

The lead man lifted one hand.

“We know Victor betrayed Castellano.”

Luca’s attention sharpened.

“We know about the watches.”

Emma felt Belini stiffen.

The man continued.

“And we know what Victor hid in yours.”

Emma glanced at Luca’s watch inside the steel pot.

“What did he hide?”

The man looked directly at her.

“Your death certificate.”

Silence.

Even the rain seemed quieter.

Luca stared at Emma.

Belini whispered, “Oh God.”

The man reached slowly into his coat.

Emma aimed.

He stopped.

“Paper only.”

He removed a clear evidence sleeve and placed it on the wet pavement.

Then stepped back.

Emma moved first.

Luca caught her arm.

“No.”

“It has my name.”

“So did the watch.”

She looked at him.

“Ten minutes.”

Recognition passed between them.

The deal from the kitchen.

Trust for ten minutes.

Luca released her.

Emma crossed the alley, never lowering the gun.

She picked up the sleeve.

Inside was a death certificate.

EMMA EVANS.

Age twenty-seven.

Cause of death listed as motor vehicle fire.

Three years ago.

Signed.

Filed.

Official.

Emma’s face went cold.

Luca came close enough to read over her shoulder.

“You are twenty-eight.”

“Yes.”

“You were legally dead at twenty-five.”

“Yes.”

Belini stepped forward.

“Victor had that exact page.”

Emma looked toward the men.

“Who sent you?”

The lead man answered.

“Someone who has spent three years trying to prove you survived.”

“Who?”

A pause.

“Your father.”

Emma stopped breathing.

Her father had been dead for seven years.

At least that was what she had been told.

Then the man said:

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“Daniel Evans is alive.”

And the world Emma had buried began opening beneath her feet.