Chapter 6 - A Cold Interrogation
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"Matteo is currently at the harbor warehouse, sir," Marco reported, checking the GPS tracking tag on Matteo’s luxury sedan. "He’s overseeing the midnight shipment of luxury vehicles from Naples."
Alessandro looked down at Victoria.
"You told him the camera was safe," Alessandro murmured, stepping closer to her. "You told him a four-year-old child wouldn't notice a microscopic lens behind a piece of painted glass."
"I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!" she shrieked, pressing her back against the cold radiator. "He promised me everything, Alessandro! He said you were too soft, that you cared too much about honor and old rules!"
"Honor is the only reason you are still breathing in this room," Alessandro said flatly.
He motioned to Marco. "Bring her down to the sub-basement storage. Lock her in the wine cellar until I return from the docks. If she makes a sound, gag her."
"Understood, Boss."
Alessandro walked out of the control room and headed down the long, carpeted corridor toward the central staircase.
Before he left the estate, he made a detour to the third floor.
He tapped three times on the heavy oak door of his private suite. The brass latch clicked, and Gianni opened the door an inch, bowing his head when he saw his Don.
"Is everything quiet inside?" Alessandro asked.
"Yes, sir. Mrs. Bennett and the child are resting."
Alessandro stepped into the dimly lit sitting room. Emma was sitting on the edge of a velvet sofa, holding a cup of tea, while Lily lay asleep under a thick cashmere blanket on the oversized armchair.
Emma immediately stood up when Alessandro entered.
"Mr. Moretti," she whispered, looking at his dark suit and the heavy shoulder holster visible under his open jacket. "Is everything alright?"
"Everything is being handled, Emma," Alessandro said smoothly. "I am leaving the house for a short time to finish a business matter."
He reached into his inner pocket, pulled out a heavy silver key on a leather strap, and set it on the glass table beside her tea.
"If the power cuts out for any reason, turn this key in the panel beside the fireplace," he instructed her, his voice low and serious. "It will engage the hydraulic steel shutters over every window in this wing. You and Lily will be completely safe."
Emma looked at the key, then up at the formidable man who ruled the city’s underground.
"Be careful, Alessandro," she said, using his first name for the very first time in eleven months.
May you like
Alessandro paused, his dark eyes meeting hers in the soft light. A subtle warmth flickered in his gaze before he nodded once.
"Nobody harms my home," he said, turning toward the door. "Sleep well, Emma."
