Chapter 3 - The House Behind the Iron Gates
Matteo DeLuca's home wasn't what Lena expected.
She expected gold statues.
Tigers.
Maybe a throne.
Instead, the estate overlooking the ocean was quiet and almost severe.
Stone walls.
Dark wood.
Old paintings.
Men positioned discreetly throughout the property.
Lena entered carrying one backpack.
Matteo looked at it.
“That's everything?”
“You gave me fifteen minutes.”
“I offered to have someone pack for you.”
“Strangers touching my underwear seemed like an unnecessary escalation.”
Gabriel coughed to hide a laugh.
Matteo glanced at him.
Gabriel immediately became fascinated by the ceiling.
Lena was given a bedroom overlooking the Atlantic.
For two days, nothing happened.
Then she started noticing things.
Matteo never sat with his back to a door.
He checked windows automatically.
He slept very little.
And every morning at exactly 6:30, he sat alone in the kitchen drinking espresso.
On the third morning, Lena walked in wearing pajamas.
Matteo looked up.
“You're awake.”
“You people stomp around like elephants carrying firearms.”
He pushed a second espresso toward her.
She tasted it.
Her face twisted.
“This could remove paint.”
“You work nights and can't drink espresso?”
“I drink coffee. This is punishment.”
Something almost human appeared in Matteo's eyes.
Then Gabriel entered.
His expression destroyed the moment.
“We found Victor.”
Matteo stood.
“Where?”
“Philadelphia.”
“Bring him back.”
Gabriel hesitated.
“He's not alone.”
“How many?”
“Enough.”
Lena watched Matteo's face become cold.
The man who had joked about espresso disappeared.
The mafia boss returned.
“Then bring enough.”
Gabriel nodded.
Lena stepped forward.
“Matteo.”
He looked at her.
“Don't.”
“Don't what?”
“Pretend you're not planning something dangerous.”
“This isn't your concern.”
“It became my concern when someone put a tracker in your coat.”
Matteo approached her.
“You did something brave once.”
His voice softened.
“Don't make the mistake of believing bravery makes you bulletproof.”
Lena held his gaze.
“And don't make the mistake of believing everyone who cares whether you survive is trying to control you.”
That stopped him.
Gabriel quietly left the room.
Matteo stared at Lena.
“Why do you care?”
She didn't have an answer.
May you like
That frightened her more than Victor did.
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