His Collateral

Chapter 22

"I just need to see someone inside."

"I'm sorry sir but I can't let you in with a weapon. It's against our policy."

"I'm not her to cause trouble. I only want to see someone inside. His name is Aldo." I explained. The security guard was giving the exact reaction I needed. Now I just had to keep it up.

The security guard didn't budge. He just stood there impassive blocking my way into the café.

"Leave it here and I'll let you in." He said

"But I'm not going to use it!" I insisted. "I only want to speak with Aldo."

The guards expression didn't change. I tried to push past him but he blocked my way. "I'll have to involve the police if you keep resisting sir."
From the windows, I could see that Aldo had noticed I was the one making a scene outside. I watched as he stood up, excusing himself from his conversation with Christy and walked out of the cafe. I quickly pushed the record button on the pen and gave Christy a quick nod through the glass, letting her know it was time to act.

"Alessandro, what's going on?" Aldo asked, looking concerned as he approached me. "What's with all the shouting?"

I took a deep breath and spoke as calmly as I could. "We need to talk, Aldo."

"What could you possibly want to talk about that would warrant such a scene Alessandro?" Aldo asked

"It's about Vincenzo." I whispered. I noticed Aldo's body stiffen at the mention of Vincenzo's name. I could see the color drain from his face as he stared at me.

"What?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Isn't he your brother? The um.. the one who died. What about him?"

I took a deep breath to control my rising temper and steeled myself for what I had to say next. "You killed my brother, Vincenzo,"

Aldo's eyes went wide with fear and shock but he quickly composed himself. "Are you crazy?" he asked, his voice incredulous. "Do you realize that I'm your father-in-law? Do you know how absurd this sounds?"

I stifled a laugh. "Don't get me started on that part Father in-law. I know everything," I said, my voice firm and resolute. "I know the truth about Bella, and I know what really happened to her parents as well. I know what you did, Aldo."

His face paled, and for a moment, I thought he might faint. "What... what are you talking about?" he stammered.

"Bella isn't your daughter. Her real parents are dead, and you're a suspect in their murder."

"This... this is insane," he said, his face contorting with anger. "You're mistaken."

I took a step towards him, my eyes boring into his. "I'm not mistaken Aldo. All evidence links you to both crimes."

Aldo slowly took a few steps away from me and just when I thought he was going to deny the truth again, he began to laugh. His laughter was cold and mirthless, his eyes glittering with malice.
"You're a clever one. You had it all figured out, bravo!" He said, his laughter sounding more maniacal.
"I did it. I had them killed. I wanted what they had and so I got rid of them." He admitted
"And as for your brother," he began and my hands balled into fists. "I took him out as well. The boy was like a bone stuck in my throat. All because I owed him some money?" "I had someone tamper with his car breaks as well and that took care of that problem." He grinned inching closer to me.
"But you know the funny part in all of this?" He asked

I remained silent.

"You.Can't.Prove.A.Thing." He pointed at my chest, his tone cold and chilling. "I made sure there was no evidence left. You have nothing on me."

We would see about that.

I smiled at myself internally. It was a smile of triumph and relief, because I had done it. I had finally caught Aldo red-handed. I kept my expression neutral as I couldn't risk letting him know that I had tricked him into revealing the truth.

I looked at him. "You're going to pay for this Aldo. I'll make you pay."

"I'd like to see you try. Take some advice, go back home to your wife. You wouldn't want to make the poor girl a widow at such a young age." He grinned before walking back into the cafe. It took everything in me not shift his jaw right now.

I turned to look at Christy. She gave me small thumbs up from under her table as Aldo joined her and they continued their conversation. I walked towards my car, got in and began the drive back home.

Bella's P.O.V:
Marco, Damien and I, had watched the whole scene unfold before our very eyes. The sight of my uncle calmly confessing to murder made me sick to the stomach. I couldn't stay there any longer, so I turned and hurried up the stairs to my room. I could hear Marco calling after me but I couldn't stop, I couldn't turn back. It seemed my legs had a mind of their own. When I reached my room, I slammed the door shut and ran to the feet of the bed. I could feel the tears starting to form in my eyes and it felt like the floor had dropped out from under me. I couldn't hold it in any longer. I sank to the ground and let the tears flow.

I wanted so badly for all of this to be just a horrible dream, one that I could wake up from and forget. But I knew that wasn't possible. The reality of what my uncle had done was too real. I couldn't believe he had my parents murdered only because he wanted property.
As I sat there, I couldn't help but wonder about my aunt. Had she known what my uncle had done? Had she been an accomplice to his crimes? The thought of it made my stomach churn. How could anyone be so cruel? How could anyone be capable of such evil?

My parents were taken from me, I was denied the right to further my education, and forced to work like a servant in my own home. All because of one man's desire for wealth. I felt like I had been robbed of my childhood, of my future.

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As the tears streamed down my face, I began to feel light-headed. I rested my head on my knees as my eyes felt heavy, and slowly gave into the jaws of exhaustion.
30 minutes later...
"Bella."

I felt a hand on my shoulder gently shaking me awake.

"Hmmm"

"Bella, wake up."
I opened my eyes and slowly looked up to be met with Alessandro's.

Was I dreaming?
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