Chapter 3 - The Mafia King Steps In
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Cassandra completely froze, her fingers still tangled in Elena's uniform.
Adrian Moretti was standing directly behind Elena.
His expression was entirely unreadable, a terrifying blank canvas that sent a shiver down Elena's spine.
Cassandra immediately released the maid, smoothing her own expensive dress as if trying to erase the previous ten seconds.
"Adrian," Cassandra’s voice became impossibly sweet and airy again. "Darling, you misunderstood what you just saw."
Adrian didn't look at his fiancée. He looked intently at Elena’s torn collar, and then down at the broken silver chain clutched defensively in her shaking hands.
"Did I?" Adrian asked, his voice low and dangerous.
Cassandra laughed nervously, a brittle sound. "She was being incredibly disrespectful, Adrian."
Adrian said absolutely nothing. He just stared at her, waiting.
"She was wearing inappropriate, cheap jewelry while serving our guests," Cassandra continued rapidly, trying to fill the heavy silence. "And when I politely asked her to remove it, she blatantly refused."
Adrian’s cold, dark eyes moved from Cassandra’s flushed face toward the silver locket clutched in Elena's hands.
Something changed in his face. It was microscopic. A tightening of the jaw, a slight widening of the eyes. Barely anyone else would have seen it. But Elena noticed.
"Let me see it," Adrian commanded softly.
Elena hesitated, taking half a step backward, terrified he was going to take it away from her just like Cassandra tried to do.
Cassandra dramatically folded her arms. "You see, Adrian? This is exactly what I mean. She thinks she can just—"
"I wasn’t speaking to you."
Cassandra stopped talking instantly. Her mouth clamped shut.
A wave of profound, terrifying silence moved outward through the crowd. The most feared man in Chicago had just publicly silenced his future wife over a catering maid.
Elena slowly, fearfully opened her hand.
The tarnished silver locket rested in the center of her pale palm.
Adrian stared down at it.
Instantly, his face completely drained of color. He looked as if all the blood had suddenly rushed out of his body. For several agonizing seconds, the powerful mafia boss did not move a single muscle.
Then, he took a slow, deliberate step closer to Elena, completely ignoring the two hundred people watching them.
"Where did you get that?" Adrian asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Elena looked up at him, entirely confused by his reaction. "My mother."
"What was her name?"
"Maria Morris."
Adrian’s jaw tightened so hard it looked painful. "Her maiden name."
Elena frowned, shaking her head slightly. "I don’t know. She never told me."
Cassandra, sensing she was losing control of the narrative, stepped aggressively between Adrian and Elena.
"Adrian, what on earth does this have to do with anything?" Cassandra demanded.
May you like
He completely ignored her.
"Open it," Adrian ordered, his eyes locked on the locket.
