Chapter 5 - The Snake in Milan
The temperature in the room dropped ten degrees in an instant.
Clare felt her knees give out, but Dante moved with blinding speed, catching her by the elbow before she could hit the marble floor.
His touch was surprisingly gentle, yet backed by the strength of tempered steel.
"He found us," Clare sobbed, burying her face in her hands as raw, paralyzing panic overtook her. "Richard has connections with private security contractors from his military days. He won't stop until he takes Maya."
"Mommy?" Maya's little voice came from the nursery doorway, holding her rabbit by its ear. "Why are you crying?"
Dante knelt down until he was at Maya's eye level, his expression transforming into something warm, protective, and paternal.
"Your mommy is just tired from the airplane, little bird," Dante said gently, reaching out a finger to tap the bunny's nose. "Nobody is going to hurt her here. Do you like fresh strawberries?"
Maya nodded vigorously, her eyes lighting up.
Dante looked up at a female attendant standing near the door. "Take Maya to the kitchen. Have the chef make her sweet berry gelato."
As the door closed behind the children, Dante stood back up, his eyes turning back into cold, unforgiving flint.
"Marco," Dante commanded, his voice deadly quiet. "Who cleared Richard Jensen’s private jet into Milan?"
"Giancarlo Viscari," Marco reported, his voice tight. "The northern logistics syndicate. Viscari provided Jensen with private armed escort vehicles and false diplomatic transit papers through the Swiss border."
Clare gasped. "Richard doesn't know any Italian syndicates. He's an Ohio prosecutor!"
"Viscari doesn't care about your husband, Clare," Dante explained, his jaw working fiercely. "Viscari has been looking for a vulnerability in my operations for five years. Your husband arrived with a legal custody order, federal warrants, and an obsession to destroy you. To Viscari, Richard Jensen is a gift-wrapped weapon to bring federal heat onto my doorstep."
"Then let me go," Clare cried, grabbing Dante's lapels with desperate fingers. "If I turn myself in, the feds will leave you alone! Leo can have his surgery, and—"
Dante caught her wrists, holding them firmly against his chest so she could feel the steady, thunderous beat of his heart.
"Listen to me, Clare Jensen," Dante said, staring directly into her terrified eyes. "You saved my son's life when sixty doctors gave up on him. You gave me back Alessia’s legacy."
May you like
He brought her hands down slowly, refusing to let her look away.
"In this house, we do not surrender our own to appease dogs. Your husband chose to partner with my enemies. That means he is no longer just your abusive ex. He is a target."
