Chapter 3 - The Restricted Study
The massive iron gates of the Rosselli estate loomed out of the darkness like a fortress.
Armed guards patrolled the high stone walls with assault rifles strapped to their chests.
The SUV stopped in front of a sprawling mansion that looked more like a modern castle.
I was escorted into a grand foyer lined with marble and priceless artwork.
Leo had fallen completely asleep in my arms.
A stern older woman named Maria appeared and tried to take the baby from me.
The moment she touched him, Leo woke up and began screaming hysterically.
Dante rubbed his temples in frustration.
“Take him up to the nursery, Alina, and stay with him until he settles.”
I followed Maria up a sweeping staircase, acting obedient while memorizing every single exit.
The nursery was larger than my entire apartment, filled with untouched toys.
I rocked Leo until he finally drifted back to sleep in his crib.
Once the room was quiet, I slipped out into the dimly lit hallway.
I needed to find proof that Dante was lying about my mother.
I crept down the corridor until I found heavy mahogany doors that had to be Dante’s private study.
The door was unlocked, and I slipped inside, turning on my phone flashlight.
The walls were covered in surveillance photos and complex syndicate maps.
I found a thick leather binder sitting open on the massive oak desk.
The name on the tab made my stomach completely drop.
It read "Elena Valdez - Termination Order."
I flipped the page and saw a massive, glossy crime scene photo.
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It showed a woman lying dead in a pool of blood, wearing the exact same silver locket I currently had on my neck.
Before I could process the horror, the heavy click of a gun hammer echoed from the shadows behind me.
