Chapter 1 - The Price of Honesty
“Honest,” Elena said.
“When it costs you.”
Luca Costello did not answer immediately.
For twelve years, men had entered his study asking what he wanted them to do.
Elena Harper was the first person in a very long time to ask what kind of man he intended to be.
Luca folded his hands over the toxicology report.
“Then I’ll start with the part that costs me most.”
Elena’s shoulders tightened.
“I think I know who benefited from what happened to me.”
“Who?”
“My cousin Dominic.”
The name changed something in her expression.
Dominic Costello had been Luca’s second-in-command for more than a decade.
He appeared at charity dinners beside Luca.
He negotiated shipping contracts.
He spoke to reporters whenever Luca refused interviews.
More importantly, after Luca collapsed twelve years earlier, Dominic had taken control of nearly every part of the Costello organization that required a man to physically appear in public.
“He poisoned you?”
“I said I suspect him.”
“That isn’t the same thing.”
“No.”
Luca’s mouth tightened.
“And I won’t punish a man because suspicion feels satisfying.”
Elena studied him.
“That sounds almost noble.”
“It isn’t.”
“What is it?”
“Experience.”
Luca wheeled toward the window.
Dominic had been twenty-nine when Luca collapsed.
Ambitious.
Patient.
Always smiling.
Within six months of Luca entering the wheelchair, Dominic had gained signing authority over three major companies.
Within two years, he controlled the eastern docks.
Within five, men who once reported directly to Luca began asking Dominic for permission before making decisions.
Luca had allowed it because he believed his body had become unreliable.
Now he knew the failure had never belonged to his body.
Someone had manufactured it.
“There’s something else,” Luca said.
Elena waited.
“The compound used on me wasn’t a single dose.”
Her face hardened.
“The toxicologist believes it entered my system repeatedly over several months.”
“So someone close to you.”
“Yes.”
“Someone who could reach your food.”
“Yes.”
“Your medication.”
“Yes.”
“Your home.”
Luca looked at her.
“Yes.”
Elena glanced toward the door.
For the first time, Luca understood exactly what she was thinking.
Maya came through that hedge every afternoon.
Maya ate crackers from his kitchen.
Maya drank lemonade prepared by his staff.
Maya trusted everyone because she had not yet learned the particular lesson wealthy families taught their children about smiling strangers.
“She doesn’t come here again,” Elena said.
Luca felt the words like a physical blow.
But honesty had a price.
And this was the first payment.
“Until I know who did this,” he said quietly, “I agree.”
Elena rose.
Then they heard laughter outside.
Maya’s laughter.
Luca turned toward the window.
Maya was running across the abandoned baseball diamond with Tommy.
A black sedan sat beyond the estate fence.
It had not been there ten minutes earlier.
Luca’s security chief, Marcus Kane, entered the study without knocking.
His face was pale.
“Boss.”
“What?”
Marcus placed a photograph on the desk.
It showed Maya leaving school that morning.
Someone had taken it from across the street.
On the back, five words had been written in black ink.
Some heirs should stay hidden.
Luca stared at the photograph.
Then he looked at Elena.
May you like
The cost of honesty had just become much higher.
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