Chapter 10 - FLIGHT TO TUSCANYThe private Gulfstream jet soared above the Atlantic, cutting through the starry night sky toward Europe.
Inside the luxurious cabin, bathed in soft recessed lighting, I sat by the window watching the endless ocean of clouds below. A cup of untouched coffee sat on the mahogany table in front of me.
My mind was racing at a million miles an hour. My baby girl—whom I had wept over for three long years, believing she was buried in a cold cemetery grave—was alive. She was in Italy. And thanks to Luca Moretti, we were hours away from holding her in our arms.
The cabin door slid open, and Luca walked in, carrying a folder of secure satellite documents and a fresh mug of tea. He sat down in the leather seat opposite me, setting the mug gently in front of me.
“Drink this,” Luca instructed softly. “You haven't slept in twenty-four hours.”
“I can't sleep, Mr. Moretti,” I whispered, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes. “Every time I close my eyes, I keep thinking... what if we get there and she doesn't know who we are? What if they hid her too well?”
Luca reached across the table, covering my trembling hand with his strong, tattooed fingers. His touch was warm and steady.
“Listen to me, Rachel,” Luca said, his voice dropping into a deep, resonant reassurance. “A mother's bond isn't something that can be erased by paperwork or distance. When she looks into your eyes, she will know. And as for the people holding her... they answered to Vanessa. Once we land in Milan, my syndicate network will dismantle their entire operation before breakfast.”
I let out a shaky breath, a small, watery smile breaking through my tears. “Thank you, Mr. Moretti. I don't even know how I can ever repay you for all of this.”
“You don't owe me anything, Rachel,” Luca replied, his dark eyes softening with a quiet vulnerability I had never seen in him before. “For three years, I searched for my own child, believing she was lost forever. Helping you reclaim your daughter... is the first time in years I feel like I'm finally doing what I was meant to do.”
Just then, the satellite phone on the cabin desk buzzed.
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Marcus’s voice came through the encrypted speaker: “Boss, we’re forty minutes out from Milan-Malpensa Airport. The local asset team has secured the villa in Tuscany. No movement from the guards inside. They have no idea we’re coming.”
Luca picked up the receiver. “Good. Surround the property quietly. I want zero collateral damage. We breach at dawn.”
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