Chapter 2 - Poisoned Blood
In the subterranean medical bay, machines hummed and monitors beeped steadily. Clara lay in the center of the room, hooked up to IV lines and a ventilator. Dante stood behind the glass partition, watching her motionless face through the dark glass.
Doctor Gabriel stepped out of the room, removing his surgical mask. "We neutralised the primary toxin, Dante, but the poison caused severe neurological trauma. She’s stable, but she’s in a medically induced coma. We won't know the extent of the brain damage until she wakes up—if she wakes up."
"She will wake up," Dante said, his voice flat and unyielding. "Because if she doesn't, I will tear this city apart brick by brick."
Dominic stepped up to Dante, holding a secure tablet. "Boss, we ran a rapid DNA match using Lily’s swab and yours, just to confirm."
Dante didn't even look at the screen. "She has my eyes, Dominic. And she has Clara’s chin. I don't need a machine to tell me she’s my daughter."
"Silvio knew," Dominic added in a low whisper. "That's why he brought Clara into the house as a maid. He kept her hidden from you as leverage. When he realized you were closing in on his illegal smuggling routes at the docks, he decided to eliminate her so you could never use her testimony against him regarding his old financial fraud."
Dante’s phone buzzed. It was a video call from an encrypted number. He swiped the screen.
The image of his uncle, Silvio Moretti, appeared on the screen. Silvio was sitting inside an armored vehicle, sipping scotch.
"Hello, nephew," Silvio sneered. "I see the little rat found her way to your door tonight. A pity. The mother was supposed to slip away quietly in her sleep."
"Where are you, Silvio?" Dante asked, his tone ominously calm.
"Far enough away," Silvio replied. "I’ve taken fifty of our best enforcers with me. Don Carmine from the rival Falcone syndicate has offered me full protection in exchange for the Moretti family's ledger codes. I know Clara gave you a child, Dante. If you want the antidote that will reverse her brain damage completely, you will meet me at the old iron foundry at midnight tomorrow. Bring the ledger."
"If you touch a hair on my family's heads—"
"You have no leverage here, Dante," Silvio interrupted with a cold laugh. "The toxin I used will cause permanent brain death in forty-eight hours without the secondary neutralizing agent. Come alone, or the little girl becomes an orphan."
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The screen went black.
Dante turned to Dominic. "Gather the elite squad. We aren't waiting for midnight tomorrow. We move tonight."
