Chapter 5 - The Phantom Estate
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The extraction was executed in the dead of night.
A sterile, unmarked medical transport van pulled into the underground garage of the Moretti estate. Dante’s most loyal, hand-picked guards loaded Matteo’s stretcher into the back, hooking him up to portable life-support systems under Nina’s strict supervision.
Elina sat in the back of the heavily armored SUV directly following the transport, holding a sleeping Mia tightly in her lap. She stared out the tinted windows as they drove far beyond the city limits, plunging into the dark, winding roads of the dense forest.
"You are shaking," Dante noted. He was sitting across from her, a customized assault rifle resting casually across his knees.
"I am terrified, Mr. Moretti," Elina answered honestly, refusing to look away from the dark trees outside.
"Call me Dante," he said softly. "The titles belong to the city. Out here, we are just people trying to survive the night."
"Why did your capo betray you?" Elina asked, the question slipping out before she could stop herself.
Dante didn't seem angry at the intrusion. He stared at the rifle in his lap. "Power is a disease, Elina. Vincenzo believed that because I was willing to negotiate treaties instead of starting wars, I had gone soft. He wanted Matteo dead to break me, and he wanted me dead to take the throne."
The convoy finally slowed, turning onto an unpaved, hidden dirt road that didn't appear on any GPS. They drove for another three miles until a massive, fortified cabin appeared in the clearing. It looked less like a home and more like a military bunker wrapped in wood and stone.
"Welcome to the safe house," Dante announced as the vehicles came to a halt.
They quickly unloaded Matteo, setting up a makeshift ICU in the master bedroom on the ground floor. Nina went straight to work, checking the monitors and establishing an IV drip.
Elina carried Mia to a small guest room down the hall, laying the toddler gently on the bed. She pulled the heavy quilt over her daughter, kissing her forehead.
When Elina walked back into the main living area, Dante was pouring a stiff glass of whiskey. He offered one to her.
She took it, her hands still trembling slightly.
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"He's going to come looking for us," Elina whispered, taking a burning sip of the alcohol.
"I am counting on it," Dante replied, his gray eyes flashing with a dark, murderous intent. "Because when Vincenzo steps into the woods, he will find out exactly why I am the boss of this family."
