Chapter 3 - The Dangerous Truth
I stared at the photograph of my beautiful children, my blood running completely ice cold. Someone had been watching our every single move for weeks without me ever noticing their presence. I looked up at Luca and demanded to know why the Rossi family wanted my innocent children dead. Luca stepped closer, the sharp scent of rain and gunpowder completely filling the small space between us. He explained that Vanessa had not just ruined our perfect marriage three years ago. She had intentionally drugged his drink that night to frame a massive betrayal and push me away forever. I took a defensive step back, absolutely refusing to believe the impossible words coming from his mouth. I told him I had seen her in our bed with my own two eyes and nothing could change that reality. Luca's voice broke as he swore on his own life that he had been completely unconscious the entire time. He said Vanessa desperately needed me out of the picture so she could eventually take over his massive criminal empire. When he firmly refused to marry her after my sudden disappearance, she allied herself with the Rossi family. My sister was now the ruthless queen of a rival syndicate, and she wanted to permanently eliminate any true heirs. I felt a sickening wave of dizziness wash over me as the full reality of her betrayal sank in. Before I could properly respond, the acrid smell of smoke suddenly overpowered the sweet scent of fresh pastries. Thick black smoke began pouring aggressively under the back door of the bakery kitchen. The unconscious assassin outside had clearly not come alone to finish this job. Flames suddenly shattered the front display window, sending dangerous shards of glass flying across the room. Luca grabbed my arm and yelled that we had to get the children and leave the building immediately. I ran frantically toward the back room where the twins were still sitting on the small sofa. When I threw open the door, a second armed man was already standing inside the room holding Ash.
