Chapter 3 - The Child Luciano Never Knew
Luciano reached the staircase before the woman reached the front door.
Daniel followed.
“Stay behind me.”
Luciano ignored him.
The woman entered without knocking.
She was perhaps fifty-five, elegantly dressed despite the rain, her dark hair streaked with silver.
Carlo’s coat hung across her arm.
Luciano aimed his weapon.
“Put it down.”
She did.
“Where is my brother?”
“Alive.”
“Where?”
“Safe for the moment.”
“Who are you?”
The woman looked at him almost sadly.
“My name is Elena Vescari.”
The surname meant something.
Luciano searched his memory.
Then found it.
His father’s accountant.
Vescari had disappeared twenty-eight years ago after millions vanished from an Aruri company.
“You’re Antonio Vescari’s daughter.”
“Yes.”
“What do you want?”
“To stop what my father started.”
Luciano’s gun remained steady.
“And why should I believe you?”
“You shouldn't.”
That answer surprised him.
Elena glanced upstairs.
“Katherine is in danger.”
“You know my wife?”
“I know why she left.”
Luciano stepped closer.
“Talk.”
Elena reached slowly into her handbag.
Daniel raised his weapon.
“Easy.”
She removed an old photograph.
Two men stood beside a yacht.
One was Luciano’s father.
The other was Antonio Vescari.
Between them stood a young woman.
Luciano recognized her.
His aunt Sofia.
“My father believed the Aruri family stole everything from him,” Elena said. “Money. Reputation. Sofia.”
“What does this have to do with Kate?”
“Your father and mine built an agreement around succession. Whoever controlled the next generation controlled several trusts.”
Luciano’s expression hardened.
“My child is not a business asset.”
“I know.”
“Someone doesn't.”
Elena looked toward the stairs.
“The threats weren't meant to make Katherine leave you.”
“What were they meant to do?”
“Hide the pregnancy.”
Luciano’s stomach tightened.
“From whom?”
Before Elena could answer, a crash sounded upstairs.
Luciano ran.
Kate’s room was empty.
The bed sheets were tangled.
The window stood open.
Margaret was on the floor.
Luciano dropped beside her.
“What happened?”
“A nurse.”
“Which one?”
“The new one.”
Luciano looked around.
Two nurses remained.
The third was gone.
“Kate?”
Margaret pointed toward the connecting dressing room.
Luciano opened the door.
Kate stood inside holding a brass lamp like a weapon.
He almost laughed from relief.
“Put that down.”
“Not until I know who’s asking.”
“Your extremely irritated husband.”
“Estranged husband.”
“Not the moment, Kate.”
Her knees weakened.
Luciano caught her.
She clutched his shirt.
“The nurse tried to inject me.”
“With what?”
“I don't know.”
Daniel found a syringe on the carpet.
Margaret examined it.
“This isn't one of mine.”
“What is it?”
“I’d need a lab.”
Elena appeared at the doorway.
Kate saw her.
Her entire body stiffened.
“You.”
Luciano turned.
“You know her?”
Kate stared at Elena.
“She was at the clinic.”
Elena nodded.
“I was protecting you.”
“You followed me.”
“Yes.”
“You sent the photographs?”
“No.”
“Then who did?”
Elena looked at Luciano.
“Someone who wants the baby.”
“Name.”
“I don't have one.”
Luciano grabbed her arm.
“Then give me something.”
Elena met his eyes.
“Your father had two sons.”
Luciano released her.
“No. He had Carlo and me.”
Elena shook her head.
“Three.”
Luciano stared.
“The eldest was born before your parents married. Your father concealed him.”
“Why?”
“Because his mother was a Vescari.”
Luciano glanced at the old photograph.
Sofia?
No.
The woman beside her.
He looked closer.
“My father had a child with your—”
“My aunt.”
“And this man?”
“Has spent his entire life believing your family stole his birthright.”
Luciano felt the shape of the danger finally emerging.
“What is his name?”
Elena opened her mouth.
The lights went out.
Kate gasped.
Luciano pulled her against him.
Emergency lamps flickered on.
Daniel shouted from downstairs.
“Luciano!”
Footsteps pounded through the mansion.
Someone was inside.
Luciano pushed Kate into Margaret’s care.
“Lock the door.”
Kate caught his hand.
“No.”
“I’ll come back.”
“You said that before.”
He froze.
Seven months earlier, during their last argument, Kate had accused him of always leaving to handle emergencies.
He had said, I’ll come back.
By morning, she had gone.
Luciano touched her cheek.
“This time I mean it.”
He stepped into the corridor.
At the far end, a shadow disappeared around the corner.
Luciano followed.
The figure entered the old library.
Luciano pushed open the door.
Empty.
Then his phone vibrated.
A photograph appeared.
It showed Luciano standing in the corridor seconds earlier.
The photographer was inside the house.
Another message arrived.
YOU STILL DON'T SEE HIM.
May you like
Luciano looked slowly toward the mirror above the fireplace.
In its reflection, the library door behind him began to open.
