Chapter 74: Late Confessions

Chapter 74: Late Confessions
Isla
"What do you mean it was your mother's?" Rosa gritted, trying to hide her voice. I shrugged. I wasn't helping my case with her but it was the truth.

"I am telling you for a fact. My mother gave me that journal before she died. She said I should protect it with everything I have. I just thought her words were sacred at the time. I tried reading it but it is written in code. I didn't bother to get through, I was just happy to have something of hers." I explained to her for the second time. Her eyes, didn't leave the pages of the book. She was in awe and frustration.

"Does Dante know you have it?"

"No. He gave a detailed explanation about what the book looked like. Told me about the codes and what they entail. That's how I knew it was the same one I was holding. I just wanted to confirm." I bounced on my bed, taking a seat, and I sighed into my palms. "What does this mean?"

"You don't seem to get it, do you? Having this book means you have a target on your back. Dante is the only person meant to have this. It validates his power as the Mafia Heir. This book is why Padrino and his family are deeply respected." She added. "He told me he had it, but with the efforts Rafael has been putting in to get his hands on it. I figured that it was missing. Now you have it, it is not good."

"Maybe he didn't want you to worry seeing that you almost died." I sighed, flinched as the book, became the very horror I was trying to avoid. "But if it was kept safely how did he lose it and how did it end up with my mother?"

Rosa's eyes narrowed, like she knew something. She slightly parted her lips in an attempt to speak but she hesitated. "I think I know how." She cussed under her breath. I stimmed, becoming impatient. "This book was kept inside the family crypt. Dante's mother kept it there after taking it away from his father. This book was compiled by his grandmother and his mother. They were both spies at the time. This book doesn't just contain alliances and intel, but also us. Locations of the family's wealth beyond Interpol's radar. When Dante became feared and built his own network he didn't want any part of it. He said, " No one should have that much power. I guess your mother being close to the family, had access to it somehow. It was either given to her without Dante's knowing or she stole it." She eased her tone on the last part. I got it, she was trying so hard not to sound offensive.

You wouldn't really blame her, something that could ruin each one of them was carelessly in my hands...

"Dante said my mom was close to his mother. My mom ran away from his father, I guess..." My eyes narrowed into a blank space. "To protect herself. She took it to protect herself in case any of them came knocking."

"Fuck! This is messed up." Rosa ran her hands through her hair which was as dark as night.
"We have to tell him. I will give it to him, I didn't ask for any of it." I surrendered. There was too much at stake to keep thinking about what this would do to me. The idea that Rafael was looking for it, sends anger into my bones. He might do something worse if he found out.

"No you can't." Rosa paled, her eyes had become venomous.

"I don't like that look on your face. Dante would be furious if he knew we had it and did not tell him."

"He would be the head of Cosa Nostra in a few days. After that, we tell him. To the rest of the world, he has that much power. The only person who knows he doesn't have it, is Rafael. At least I think. He is still haunting him for the book. We need to know who he is working for and why he needs it. If you give it to him, Rafael might get word. Because Dante would want to reroute the wealth."

"It would attract eyes."

"Yes. Dante already has his own network, he doesn't need it yet." She confirmed. "This book is still missing. You keep it and don't tell anyone yet. I think it's safer with you."
"But I am in danger."

"Only if someone else knows." She whispered. Rosa was loyal to Dante even though she was my best friend. I trust her still. After they knowingly, lied to me. I saw how they were willing to do anything for each other as siblings. It was beautiful. I feared everything had already gotten dangerous. Having this book complicates this. Yes, I had power in my hands. A power which wasn't mine to wield.

While still having him in my thoughts, I got lost in my office all day working on the project. My phone rang, distracting me a bit. It was Sicario. I breathed.
"Good morning sir." I rolled my eyes

"I told you to drop the formalities."

"You are my boss. Is there anything you need me to do for you?"
I heard him breathe from the other side. "I wanted to know how your drafts for The Mondello project are coming along." The project was a big thing for the company and it was said no one had ever known the owner who wanted us to handle their designs. I found it weird but Sicario assured me that working closely with their team would be easier.

"It's coming along quite well. The details you have given me have really been helpful." I sensed his dissatisfaction.

"Okay, the second reason I called. I know we were going to be closely working on Mondello together but the owner wants you to take charge and has requested to meet with you to present what you have."

My heart skipped a beat. "I thought we were going to work with management. And I heard that no one has really met the owner. So why me?"

"I haven't met the owner myself but they are familiar with your work, I guess. You don't have to deal with a lot. If you don't want to, I can simply find a way around it."
I sighed. I can't be picky in the early stage of my career, as it didn't look good to me. "It's okay. I can handle it as long as it is safe for me."

"I can assure you that it will be. I will send you the details."
I ended the call. The pang in my chest has grown bigger making it difficult to breathe. I still haven't told Dante we were working together, and Sicario wasn't going to give up getting closer.

I dragged another breath when the door creaked open, and Rosa peeped her head inside. "Bad time." I shook my head. "Okay, so I'm going out later to have fun. Would you come with?