Chapter 1 - The Ghost in the Rain
The memory of that night three years ago still haunted every dark corner of my mind. I had walked toward our grand bedroom door with my heart completely full of love and hope. Instead, I heard the unmistakable sound of my sister laughing softly from my marital bed. I pushed the heavy mahogany door open just enough to see Vanessa's blonde hair tangled in the dark silk sheets. I did not scream or throw anything to announce my heartbreaking discovery. I simply turned around and walked out of the sprawling estate with nothing but my purse and my broken heart. Now, the terrifying man I had left behind was standing on my fragile wooden porch in West Virginia. I stared at the closed front door of the bakery, listening to the heavy rain falling aggressively outside. My hands were shaking so violently that a thick cloud of white flour dusted the floorboards beneath my feet. I quickly ushered the twins into the back room and turned on their favorite cartoon to drown out any noise. I desperately needed them distracted from the dangerous reality standing just inches away from our safe haven. I walked back into the front shop and cautiously peeked through the slightly parted window curtains. Luca was still standing on the porch, completely drenched in the freezing cold storm. He did not look like the ruthless mafia boss who strictly controlled the entire Chicago underworld. He looked exactly like a devastated man who had just found a ghost. I watched as he slowly pulled a cell phone from his tailored pocket and raised it to his ear. He spoke a few quiet words, his expression suddenly shifting from absolute heartbreak to pure, lethal anger. Someone stepped out from the dark alley beside my bakery, moving with complete silence. It was a tall man holding a silenced pistol aimed directly at Luca's broad back. Before I could even scream a warning, Luca spun around and pulled his own weapon with terrifying speed.
