Chapter 5 - The False Widow
I screamed and reached for the phone, but Dante held me back.
"Don't hurt her, Vanessa!" I sobbed hysterically.
Vanessa smiled beautifully into the camera, looking perfectly groomed.
"That depends entirely on you, Cara," Vanessa said softly.
"Dante is supposed to be dead, and tomorrow morning, I am hosting his public memorial."
She adjusted the black mourning veil resting on her flawless hair.
"If Dante shows his face in public, Mia dies instantly."
Vanessa ended the video call, leaving the screen completely black.
I collapsed onto the motel floor, struggling to breathe through my panic.
Dante knelt beside me and placed his strong hands on my shoulders.
"Look at me, Cara," he commanded.
"I will not let them hurt your sister, I promise you."
I looked into his fierce gray eyes and desperately wanted to believe him.
"How can you stop them?" I asked.
"Leo controls your men, and Vanessa controls the Russians."
Dante stood up and began pacing the small room, his mind working like a machine.
"Vanessa needs my official death certificate to claim the offshore accounts," Dante explained.
"She is hosting the memorial tomorrow to solidify her power in front of the city's elite."
He looked out the motel window into the dark street.
"We are going to give her exactly what she wants," Dante said.
"We are going to her press conference, and I am going to die right in front of her."
Before I could ask what he meant, a heavy knock echoed at our motel door.
Dante drew his weapon and stood flat against the wall.
I slowly turned the handle and pulled the door open.
May you like
Standing in the rain was Mr. Rossi, holding a briefcase.
"Leo sent me with a proposition for you, Cara," Rossi said with a wicked smile.
