Chapter 1 - THE SECOND NAME
The reception ballroom glittered beneath warm chandeliers.
Crystal glasses covered long tables.
White roses surrounded the gift table near the center of the room.
Audrey Moretti stood beside it with one hand resting beneath her six-month pregnancy.
Her low heels already felt uncomfortable.
Her back ached.
She had been smiling for nearly two hours because Preston kept reminding her that his family had traveled a long way to celebrate them.
Then Brenda crossed the ballroom.
No warning.
No argument.
She grabbed Audrey by the hair.
Audrey gasped.
Brenda drove her sideways into the gift table.
Boxes slid.
A vase toppled.
Audrey collapsed against the edge and immediately wrapped both arms around her belly.
Brenda leaned close.
Her face was cold.
“This child must not be born.”
Audrey froze.
Not because the words were confusing.
Because Brenda sounded like she had practiced them.
Across the room, Rocco Moretti turned away from three Mafia associates.
He saw his daughter bent beside the table.
He saw Brenda standing over her.
He moved immediately.
Guests scattered from his path.
Rocco reached Audrey and pulled her carefully behind him.
“Dad…”
Audrey’s voice shook.
“She’s trying to make it look like an accident.”
Brenda reached around him.
Rocco caught her wrist.
He tore her hand away from Audrey.
Then he looked toward Preston.
Audrey’s husband had not moved.
He stood near the dinner tables.
Frozen.
Watching.
Rocco’s expression changed.
Brenda lunged again.
This time Rocco caught both shoulders.
He sent her backward into the damaged gift table.
The table collapsed beneath her.
Guests recoiled.
Two Moretti bodyguards immediately stepped between Brenda and Audrey.
Then Gary Reed moved forward.
He was pale.
His hands were shaking.
“Rocco…”
Rocco turned.
Gary looked toward Brenda.
Then Preston.
“She wasn’t planning this alone.”
Rocco slowly followed his gaze.
Preston finally moved.
“Gary, shut up.”
Too late.
Rocco’s eyes settled on his son-in-law.
“Good.”
His voice became low.
“Then I only know half the names.”
Audrey gripped her father’s sleeve.
Rocco immediately looked back at her.
“Are you hurt?”
“My side.”
A doctor among the guests stepped forward.
Audrey was taken into a quiet room nearby.
Rocco stayed until he was told the baby’s heartbeat sounded steady and Audrey needed rest.
Only then did he return to the ballroom.
Brenda remained under guard.
Preston stood beside the ruined table.
Gary waited near the windows.
Rocco walked directly toward him.
“What did you mean?”
Gary glanced at Preston.
Preston spoke first.
“My sister has been unstable for months.”
Brenda laughed bitterly.
“You knew exactly how stable I was when you invited me.”
Rocco looked at Preston.
“Invited you to what?”
Brenda smiled without humor.
“To stop Audrey from taking his daughter away.”
Rocco went still.
Preston’s face changed.
“Brenda.”
She ignored him.
“You want the second name?”
Rocco stepped closer.
“What second name?”
Brenda looked toward the room where Audrey rested.
Then back at Preston.
“Ask your son-in-law why he knew three weeks ago that I said Audrey’s baby should never make it to delivery.”
Silence.
Rocco looked at Preston.
Preston did not deny it.
Gary’s voice came quietly from behind them.
“He didn’t just know.”
Rocco turned.
Gary swallowed.
“He told Brenda Audrey was planning to take the baby and disappear from our family.”
Preston’s jaw tightened.
Rocco stared at him.
May you like
Then Brenda whispered:
“And he knew exactly what those words would do to me.”
