Chapter 3 - The Traitor Arrives
By noon, the compound was crawling with Dominic’s personal enforcers. They didn't come with guns drawn; they came under the guise of family concern, their dark sedans lining the gravel driveway like vultures settling on a fence.
I stood on the grand marble portico, my hands folded calmly behind my back, hiding the snub-nosed revolver tucked beneath my tailored jacket. Dominic climbed out of his black armored SUV, adjusting the lapels of his charcoal suit. He popped a peppermint lozenge into his mouth, his icy gray eyes scanning the front windows.
""Marcus,"" Dominic called out, offering a cold, rehearsed smile as he climbed the steps. ""Word on the street is my brother skipped the port authority meeting. That’s not like him. Vincent hasn't missed a council sit-down in ten years. Is he unwell?""
""Mild food poisoning, Mr. Castellano,"" I lied smoothly, meeting his gaze without flinching. ""The doctor gave him a sedative. He gave strict orders not to be disturbed until tomorrow morning.""
Dominic’s jaw tightened for a fraction of a second—a subtle tell I had learned to watch for over a decade. He expected Vincent to be a corpse by now. Every minute Vincent remained behind closed doors without an official death declaration was eating away at Dominic’s nerves.
""Is that so?"" Dominic purred, stepping closer until the sickeningly sweet scent of mint washed over me. ""I think I should check on him myself. Brotherhood comes before rest, don't you think?""
""He locked the inner study from the inside, sir,"" I replied, standing firm on the threshold. ""You know how he gets when he’s sick. Anyone who knocks risks losing their position.""
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""I don't need your permission to see my own blood, Marcus,"" Dominic snapped, his mask slipping just enough to reveal the rabid wolf beneath. ""Where is the maid? Little Adeline usually runs out to greet me. I have some sweets for her.""
A cold spike of dread drove into my stomach. He knew. He had realized his pocket was missing the Zurich medallion, and he knew a child had been seen wandering the upper floor.
