Chapter 7 - The Brother's Shadow
Elena's blood turned to absolute ice in her veins.
Lorenzo was the man who had murdered kind Mrs. Bellini in the kitchen pantry.
He was the man who had slipped the poison into his own brother's water glass.
And he was standing less than five feet away from her daughter.
Elena instinctively grabbed Sophia's hand and pulled her backward toward the wall.
Lorenzo noticed the sudden movement and flashed Elena a chilling, hollow smile.
"I see the hired help is still causing problems," Lorenzo sneered, straightening his expensive tie.
"Leave them alone, Lorenzo," Adrian commanded from the bed, his voice weak but firm.
Lorenzo turned back to his brother with a perfectly practiced look of concern.
"I am just trying to protect you, Adrian."
"That maid is the prime suspect in your poisoning, and she is standing right next to your bed."
Elena wanted to scream the truth, but the threatening note in her pocket burned like fire.
If she exposed him now, Lorenzo would ensure Sophia didn't live to see tomorrow.
"Dante is handling the investigation," Adrian replied coldly.
Lorenzo's eyes darkened with genuine anger.
He took a sudden, aggressive step toward Adrian's medical equipment.
Titan did not give a warning growl this time.
The massive dog lunged directly at Lorenzo's throat with terrifying speed.
Lorenzo screamed and threw his arm up just as the dog's jaws snapped shut on his expensive jacket sleeve.
"Shoot the dog!" Lorenzo shrieked, struggling to stay on his feet.
Dante drew his weapon and fired a single shot to scare the animal.
The bullet shattered a medical monitor, entirely missing the struggling beast.
"Stop!" Sophia yelled, running forward without thinking.
"Titan, drop it right now!"
The dog immediately released Lorenzo's torn sleeve and retreated to sit obediently at the little girl's feet.
Lorenzo clutched his bleeding arm, his face twisted in absolute fury.
"I want that vicious animal put down today," Lorenzo demanded, glaring at Dante.
"Nobody touches my dog," Adrian growled, pushing himself up on his elbows.
Adrian turned his attention back to the terrified mother standing in the corner.
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"Elena, you are no longer a maid in this house."
"You are now my personal detail, and you do not leave my sight."
