Chapter 4 - The Unlikely Ally
I stared down the barrel of Camille's gun, my mind racing.
If I died right now, Marco would be left entirely at the mercy of these monsters.
"Roman didn't order you to kill me," I stated, forcing my voice to remain perfectly calm.
"If he wanted me dead, he would have done it himself."
Camille's finger tightened slightly on the trigger.
"He won't care once it's done."
"I will simply tell him you found the file and attacked me in a hysterical rage."
I slowly lowered the folder to the desk, keeping my hands visible.
"If you shoot me, you ruin his public image."
"A mafia boss whose wife tragically dies weeks after childbirth attracts federal investigations."
Camille hesitated, her eyes narrowing as she processed the risk.
I used that single second of doubt.
I grabbed the heavy crystal whiskey decanter from the desk and hurled it directly at her face.
The heavy glass smashed into her forehead, sending her stumbling backward.
The gun fired wildly, the bullet burying itself into the ceiling plaster.
I sprinted past her, throwing the study doors open and running down the hallway.
I didn't stop until I reached the nursery, locking the heavy steel-reinforced door behind me.
I grabbed Marco from his crib, my chest heaving with panic.
I needed help from someone who hated Roman as much as I did.
I pulled a hidden burner phone from the bottom of the diaper bin.
I dialed a number I had memorized years ago but never dared to use.
A deep, rough voice answered on the third ring.
"Who is this?"
"Dante," I breathed into the receiver.
Dante Vescari was Roman’s estranged, ruthless younger brother who had been exiled to New York.
"Elena?" Dante asked, sounding genuinely surprised.
"I need your help to destroy your brother," I whispered frantically.
Dante let out a dark, amused chuckle.
"I have been waiting five years to hear you say that, sister-in-law."
"I will get you out, but you have to bring me the digital ledger showing Roman's offshore accounts."
"I will find it," I promised.
"Good," Dante replied.
"Look out your window."
I carried Marco to the nursery window and peered through the curtains.
Standing just beyond the estate's wrought-iron gates was a man in a black trench coat, holding a sniper rifle aimed directly at the house.
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"My men are already in position," Dante whispered over the phone.
"But you have exactly one hour before Roman gets home, and my sniper just informed me that Camille is bringing a master key to your door."
