Chapter 4 - The Safe House
Emma was still clutching her one-eared rabbit, her wide eyes watching the big men drag Danny away. She didn't cry. In her short life, she had already seen too much of the world's darkness.
Alessandro reached out, his large, scarred hand incredibly gentle as he patted her dark curls.
"You did a very brave thing today, piccola," Alessandro said, his eyes softening in a way his men had never seen before. "You saved my life. And in this house, we pay our debts."
He stood up and looked at Sophia, who was still weeping on the floor, holding her daughter tightly against her chest.
"Sophia," Alessandro said. "Your days of cleaning this house are over. From this moment on, you and Emma are under my personal protection. You will move into the private guest villa on the northern cliff. No one enters without my permission. My personal security detail will guard your door."
"Mr. Duca... I don't know what to say," Sophia whispered, clutching Emma closer. "Thank you... thank you."
"Don't thank me yet," Alessandro murmured, his eyes turning back toward the main house. "Because the monster who put that poison in my cup is still sitting at my table. And I am about to tear this house apart to find him."
An hour later, the five senior captains of the Duca syndicate were summoned to the grand library.
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They sat in heavy leather chairs, the air thick with cigar smoke and tension. Among them was Marcus Duca, Alessandro’s cousin and the head of security; Father Thomas, the family’s trusted advisor; and Victor, the ruthless underboss who managed the harbor docks.
Alessandro stood by the fireplace, his back to them, watching the flames lick the dark wood. On the mantelpiece sat the white porcelain coffee cup, still half-filled with the poisoned espresso.
