Chapter 11 - THE RACE AGAINST MIDNIGHT
“That's impossible,” I said, backing away from the desk.
“Gabriel checked every title before we married.”
Marco slid a thin piece of paper across the wood.
“He checked the surface titles, Claire. Not the subsurface mineral and probate rights.”
I looked down at the paper.
It was a probate claim filed in the Cook County Court.
Signed by Isabella Romano.
Using a forged power of attorney from Nonna Antonella.
“She filed this yesterday afternoon,” Marco said grimly.
“If this goes through probate court by noon tomorrow, the house legally becomes hers. You and Antonella will be evicted on technicalities.”
Panic surged through my chest.
Seven years of my life.
Seven years of caring for Nonna, protecting this home, loving a man who didn't deserve it.
All of it was about to be stolen by a federal informant with a fake smile.
“Where is the counter-deed?” I asked urgently.
“The original document signed by my grandfather?”
Marco shook his head.
“Grandfather hid it fifty years ago. Before he died, he told only one person.”
“Who?”
“Nonna Antonella,” Marco said.
“And she won't tell anyone unless she trusts them unconditionally.”
I grabbed my jacket from the chair.
“Then I'll wake her up right now.”
“Wait,” Marco stopped me, grabbing my wrist.
“If you wake her now, Uncle Salvatore's men are watching the west wing. They cut the estate's phone lines ten minutes ago.”
I froze.
Outside, the wind howled against the reinforced glass windows.
The lights in the hallway suddenly flickered and died.
Total darkness enveloped the study.
A single red laser dot appeared on the opposite wall.
It began to sweep slowly across the room toward my chest.
May you like
“Get down!” Marco roared, tackling me to the floor as a silenced bullet shattered the study window.
[CLIFFHANGER: A team of professional hitmen hired by Uncle Salvatore storms the mansion, trapping Claire and Marco in the dark hallways.]
