Chapter 3 - WHISPERS IN THE DARKNESS
The nursery was quiet. Moonlight spilled across the velvet carpet. Sofia sat on the edge of her four-poster bed. She looked small. Fragile. Yet stronger than anyone realized. “Emily?” she asked softly. “Yes, sweetheart?” “Is my daddy going to jail?” I sat beside her. I took her small hand in mine. “No, sweetie.” “Your daddy protects people.” “He's going to protect you.” “Will Vanessa go away forever?” “I think so.” “Good.” Sofia lay back against the pillows. “She was mean to me every time daddy left.” My heart dropped. “What did she say, Sofia?” “She said daddy didn't love me anymore.” “She said I was just a broken doll.” Fury burned in my chest. “She lied,” I said firmly. “Your father loves you more than anything.” “I know,” Sofia smiled faintly. “That's why he stood up.” “He always fights for us.” Outside in the hallway, heavy footsteps echoed. Two guards in black suits took their positions. Max, the head of security, knocked gently. “Miss Carter?” I opened the door a crack. “Is she safe?” Max asked. “She's resting,” I replied. “Mr. Moretti wants you in his study.” “Now?” “Yes.” “He said you need to hear something.” I looked back at Sofia. “Can you sleep for a few minutes?” “Don't leave me alone,” she whispered. “I'll be right outside,” Max said smoothly. “I'll watch the door myself, little boss.” Sofia smiled at Max. “Okay.” I closed the door softly. I followed Max down the grand staircase. The banquet hall was empty. The guests had been moved to the East parlor. Guards stood at every exit. No one dared to leave. We walked toward the private study on the third floor. The heavy oak door stood ajar. Light spilled onto the Persian rug. I stepped inside. Luca Moretti sat behind his mahogany desk. He wasn't drinking. He was staring at a silver pocket watch. “Close the door, Emily,” he said without looking up. I did as he asked. The click of the latch sounded like thunder. “Sit down.” I sat in the leather armchair opposite him. “You speak Italian fluently,” Luca noted. “My grandmother taught me,” I answered. “She grew up in Naples.” “And you understood every word Dr. Bianchi said?” “Yes, sir.” “Why didn't you tell me sooner?” I met his dark gaze. “Would you have believed a twenty-five-year-old housekeeper over your fiancée?” Luca went silent. He slowly closed the pocket watch. “No,” he admitted. “I probably wouldn't have.” “That is why I waited,” I said. “I needed proof.” “And you risked your job to help my daughter stand.” “I didn't care about the job,” I said quietly. “I cared about Sofia.” Luca leaned forward. His elbows rested on the desk. “My daughter trusts you, Emily.” “More than she trusted her own governess.” “More than she trusted Vanessa.” “I just treated her like a human being,” I replied. “That is rare in this house,” Luca muttered. He stood up. He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. He looked out over the Chicago skyline. “Arthur Bellini thinks he owns half the shipping docks,” Luca said. “He thinks my empire is built on sand.” “He's wrong.” “Very wrong.” “What are you going to do?” I asked. Luca turned around. A cold smile touched his lips. “I am going to dismantle his entire operation.” “Piece by piece.” “And Vanessa?” “Vanessa will learn what happens when you touch a Moretti.” The phone on his desk buzzed. Luca picked it up. “Speak.” A voice shouted from the other end. “Boss! We checked Arthur's private accounts!” “And?” “He transferred three million dollars to an offshore account this morning.” “Under whose name?” “Vanessa Bellini.” Luca's eyes narrowed into slits. “Freeze the accounts.” “Transfer everything back.” “And bring Arthur to me.” He hung up. He looked at me. “The game has just begun, Emily.”
