Queen Of Hearts

A darkened past

Julian

I worked while Katherine slept on the plane, as we had time before landing in the States. I checked business deals and contracts, finalizing them after agreeing to the terms. Vincent had sent me some joint contracts to review before signing them.

I glanced at Katherine, sleeping on a couch. I didn't want to drag Katherine into a past I have a vague recollection of. Why should she deal with the monsters that haunt me?

I received an email notification and saw it was from Vincent. I clicked on it.

Julian,

You will find pertinent information in this email attachment. Call me when you land.

Vincent

I clicked on the attachment and read through the information. It held information about my mother, father, and my father's family. Reading through the information provided insight into the Benetoli family.

My father, Matteo, married Angela Russo and had one child, Angelo Benetoli. My grandfather, Dominick Benetoli, was a mafia head, making him a Don. Matteo refused to engage with the Benetoli empire and moved his family from Italy to the States. Two years later, an assailant murdered Matteo Benetoli, with his wife and child disappearing.

The information coincided with what Benny Moretti had told us.

I scrolled through the information until I stopped at Massimo Bianchi.

Massimo Bianchi, age 32, single, no children. Born in the Bronx, New York. Mother, Gia Bianchi, single. Father unknown. Aliases include Max Bruno, Matt Brandon, and Michel Barnes. Felonies include grand larceny, forgery, sexual assault, assault with intent to do bodily harm, and murder.

Psychological exam from primary school. The student was diagnosed with paranoid delusions and psychopathic tendencies. Recommendation is admittance to a psychiatric hospital.

I sat back in my seat and rubbed my bottom lip, pondering the information Vincent had sent me. Massimo would stop at nothing to take what's mine. I won't let that happen.

I sent a reply to Vincent before closing out the email and shutting down the computer. If Vincent obtained this information, he had a good reason.

*******
Katherine

I felt a hand graze my cheek and opened my eyes to find Julian crouched beside me. I sat up, yawned, and stretched. "How long was I asleep for?"

"A few hours. The pilot is getting ready to land." Julian took a seat beside me.

We buckled our seat belts and waited for the plane to descend.

"Lewis will be waiting for us when we return."

"I bet that thrills Lewis to no end."

"He doesn't have a choice."

I raised my brow at Julian's response.

"I need to call Vincent when we land."

"Why? Is there an issue with the company?"

"No, he sent me information about Massimo."

"Do you plan to keep me in the dark?"

"No, but I do need to meet with Vincent regarding the information he sent. I want to determine how to proceed further regarding Massimo. And I don't want to put you in harm's way. You're my first priority."

"If I've learned anything about you, it wouldn't matter. Someone with a vendetta will always try to retaliate against you."

"Katherine."