Chapter 2 - The Gilded Cage
The door swung open, revealing an older man in a crisp butler's uniform holding a silver tray.
Adrian immediately lowered his weapon, tucking it smoothly behind his back.
"Your mother is asking for you, sir," the butler said, his eyes nervously darting between us.
"Take our guests to the secure suite on the third floor and lock the door from the outside," Adrian ordered coldly.
I wanted to scream for help, but I knew the staff in this mansion answered only to the mafia.
The butler escorted us up two flights of marble stairs, ushering us into a massive, luxurious bedroom.
He walked out, and the unmistakable sound of a heavy deadbolt sliding into place echoed through the room.
I rushed to the grand windows, desperately hoping to find a fire escape.
We were three stories up, and a sheer stone drop separated us from the manicured gardens below.
"Mommy, I want to go home," Mia whimpered, clutching her pink backpack tightly.
"I know, baby, we are going to play a hide-and-seek game very soon," I promised, forcing a brave smile.
I began tearing the room apart, looking for any makeshift weapon or secondary exit.
I found an ornate brass fireplace poker and gripped it firmly in my sweating hands.
Suddenly, a soft scratching sound came from the master bathroom attached to our suite.
I pushed Mia behind a heavy velvet armchair and slowly crept toward the bathroom door.
I raised the brass poker, ready to swing at whoever had managed to bypass the locked door.
I yanked the bathroom door open with all my strength.
Standing inside was Isabella Moretti, holding a terrifyingly sharp medical syringe.
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"Hello, Elena," she smiled, her red hair perfectly styled.
"I think your adorable little daughter needs a permanent nap."
