Page 46 of Merciless Queen (Moretti Mafia #1)

Caterina

“Hey Cat,” Luca called as I walked toward my bedroom. “I need to show you something.”

“What is it?”

“I found the woman. Mallory Jefferson. Although it’s Mallory Abara now. She’s married to a brain surgeon.”

My brow arched as he typed away on his computer. “She did well for herself.”

“Yeah. She is a trauma counselor. She works where she is needed, mostly high schools and group homes for abused children and teens. They also have a gala tomorrow night. All donations will be going to a new foundation. It’s like a YMCA, but for children and teens.

Troubled home life, homeless. You name it. This woman has a passion for helping.”

“I wonder if it’s because of what happened to Harlow. She said her father was killed, so they probably believe she was kidnapped.”

“What’s Harlow's last name?”

“Harlow Lewis.” I only knew that because Serena told me. During one of their sessions, she talked about her old life. She was only Harlow with Vincenzo, but in school and life before, she was Harlow Lewis. Dreamer. Believer. Daughter.

It only took Luca a few moments before an article was pulled up.

“Derrick Lewis. A real low life. He had nothing to his name. The bank was coming for his home. Social services were going to take Harlow away when she was two, but her mom was clean and healthy, just in a shitty situation with a shitty man.” Luca read his information.

“He made a deal with Vincenzo before Harlow was born. Her mom never had any more kids after that?”

My fists clenched. “No. Her deadbeat father promised her to Vincenzo. He didn’t want a loose end, so he finally killed Derrick and took them both. It makes sense as to why Vincenzo had an obsession with her. What if he visited her when she was growing up?”

“Wouldn’t she remember that, though?”

I shrugged. “Maybe? Did you remember everything that happened to you growing up?” His jaw tightened. “Sorry.”

“No. You’re right. Children can suppress trauma behind the walls of their mind. I’ll see if I can find pictures or anything of the two of them when Vincenzo was younger. He’s almost forty? So he was in his late teens when they met?”

“Vincenzo took over the Mancini family early. His father died mysteriously.”

“What if it wasn’t an accident? Vincenzo is deranged enough to murder his own father to take his place as heir.”

“You’re right. We don’t know too much about him. I knew he was a sick bastard, but a child?”

“Men in power let it go to their heads. Why do you think the government sucks?”

“I am my own government, but you’re right. Let me know what else you find. I have to find last minute dresses for a gala.”

Harlow was curled in bed, her body small as she twitched in her sleep.

She was healing for the most part, but demons lived in the shadows of even our safest places.

I walked up to her, careful not to terrify her as I brushed my fingers through her hair.

She arched back and moaned before her eyes fluttered open and her cheeks turned red.

“Caterina?” she asked sleepily.

“Yeah, princess. I need you to wake up. I need you to pick out a dress.”

“For what?” She stretched out, which made the blanket slip down her body. My eyes diverted to her naked breasts as she stretched. I was no better than a man. “My eyes are up here.”

My cheeks heated under her sleepy gaze. “I found your friend. She’s having a gala tomorrow, and I want to take you.”

That piqued her attention, and she sat up, letting the blanket pool around her hips. “Really? Are you okay with that?”

I arched my brow. “Of course I am. Are you going to be okay knowing she’s married with children?”

She beamed. “She’s happy. I want her to know that I’m alive and happy, too. I don’t know what everyone thinks happened to me. I’m a ghost.”

“Sometimes being a ghost is a good thing, but don’t worry, I’ll let you be seen once again.”

“Thank you, Caterina. What do I do? Is it right to see her after so many years?”

“I think you both need closure. She’s a trauma counselor and helps kids in difficult situations.”

She bit her lip. “Did the police ever find anything?”

“Luca showed me an article that said you and your mom were missing, and your father was dead. People looked for both of you.”

Her lip trembled. “Why did…I guess you wouldn’t know.”

“What?”

“I want to know why. My dad ruined our lives, and for what? Money? He said I was promised to him, but why would he promise a child to a grown man?”

I wanted to know that answer, too. Vincenzo normally didn’t take children, but most of the women I saved were barely eighteen.

I wondered if her father planned on waiting until she was eighteen, but something happened.

I needed to learn more about her father and his life to understand why and how he got associated with Vincenzo.

“I’ll find out for you one way or another, Harlow, now let’s go find a dress.”