Chapter 3 - The Cold Shadow of the Past
Over the next two weeks, the oppressive atmosphere inside the Marquetti fortress shifted dramatically. The guards stopped speaking in hushed, terrified whispers whenever they entered the kitchen; instead, they smiled politely at Lily, who greeted them with strict reminders to wipe their combat boots on the welcome mat.
Vincent, notoriously known for leaving the mansion at dawn and returning after midnight, began appearing in the kitchen at precisely 6:30 every morning. He would sit on his designated stool, submit his hands for Lily's inspection, and drink his coffee while listening to her explain the complex social dynamics of her preschool class.
"Why do you let her do this?" I asked him late one evening.
It was past ten, and the mansion was quiet. I was polishing the walnut dining table when Vincent walked in carrying a crystal tumbler of amber scotch. He had removed his tie, the top buttons of his shirt undone, looking tired and surprisingly human.
He stopped near the doorway, looking down into his glass. "My father was a tyrant, Elena. He ruled this family with a leather belt and iron knuckles. In his house, children were supposed to be silent shadows. If you spoke out of turn, you didn't get time-out. You got bruises."
My chest tightened with sudden sympathy. "I'm sorry, Mr. Marquetti."
"Call me Vincent," he said, taking a slow sip. He looked toward the ceiling, toward the second floor where Lily was fast asleep with her stuffed rabbit. "When your daughter told me that being the boss doesn't give me the right to be naughty... she showed more courage than any lieutenant on my payroll. Power without rules isn't strength. It's just barbarism."
He stepped closer, his dark eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my pulse flutter against my ribs. "You raised a brave girl, Elena. Alone, after what happened?"
I swallowed hard, looking down at the rag in my hands. "Her father left before she was born. He told me children were a financial liability he couldn't afford. I've worked three jobs since she was six months old just to pay rent."
Vincent’s jaw tightened, a cold, dangerous flicker crossing his features. "A coward walks away from his own blood. You never have to worry about rent in this house, Elena. You and Lily are under my roof now."
May you like
Before I could process the weight of his words, Dante appeared at the entrance of the dining room. His face was pale, his eyes darting urgently toward his boss.
"Vincent," Dante said in a low, tight voice. "We have a situation. Sal Moretti just crossed the river. He's demanding a sit-down at the warehouse district. He says he knows where you're vulnerable."
