Chapter 2 - The Cup on the Desk
Gabriel Russo arrived forty minutes later.
He entered through the estate's underground garage wearing jeans, a dark jacket, and the expression of a man who had spent years expecting trouble.
Adrian met him in the private study.
Gabriel stopped.
“You look different.”
“I slept.”
Gabriel blinked.
“What?”
“Seven hours.”
“You haven't slept seven hours since—”
“I know.”
Adrian placed the porcelain cup on the desk.
“Test this.”
Gabriel looked at it.
“What am I looking for?”
“I don't know.”
“Where did it come from?”
“My brother.”
Gabriel's expression changed immediately.
“Dominic?”
Adrian nodded.
Gabriel didn't ask another question.
He carefully sealed the cup inside a specimen container.
“I know someone.”
“Someone trustworthy?”
“He owes me his life.”
“Good.”
Gabriel turned toward the door.
Adrian stopped him.
“One more thing.”
“What?”
“I want everything Dominic has touched in the last three years.”
“That could be half the organization.”
“It is.”
“Bank accounts?”
“Yes.”
“Contracts?”
“Yes.”
“Security assignments?”
“Yes.”
“Medical staff?”
Adrian's gaze sharpened.
“Especially medical staff.”
Gabriel studied him.
“You think this goes deeper.”
“I don't think anything yet.”
“That isn't what your face says.”
“My face doesn't matter. Evidence does.”
A knock interrupted them.
Sarah Carter entered.
The housekeeper was twenty-seven, exhausted, and visibly embarrassed.
Lily stood behind her.
“I am so sorry, Mr. Moretti.”
Adrian looked at Lily.
The child waved.
“Hi.”
Sarah crouched.
“Lily, I told you never to enter Mr. Moretti's room.”
“He needed a story.”
Sarah closed her eyes.
“I'm going to lose my job.”
“No,” Adrian said.
Sarah looked up.
“What?”
“You aren't losing anything.”
He crouched in front of Lily.
“You saw Uncle Dominic put something in my tea?”
Lily nodded.
Sarah froze.
“Lily?”
“He did.”
Sarah's face drained of color.
“When?”
“Yesterday.”
Sarah looked at Adrian.
“I didn't know.”
“I believe you.”
“I swear—”
“I said I believe you.”
Sarah fell silent.
Adrian stood.
“From now on, Lily doesn't leave your sight.”
“Why?”
“Because she saw something she wasn't supposed to see.”
Sarah instinctively pulled her daughter closer.
Gabriel spoke.
“Boss, if Dominic realizes she told you—”
“He won't.”
Adrian looked at Sarah.
“You're taking today off.”
“I can't afford—”
“Paid.”
“Mr. Moretti—”
“Stay in the east guest suite. Teresa will bring you everything you need.”
Sarah swallowed.
“Are we in danger?”
Adrian glanced at Lily.
“Not while you're under my roof.”
Three hours later, Gabriel returned.
He closed the study door behind him.
Adrian stood at the window.
“Well?”
Gabriel placed a folder on the desk.
“The lab found two compounds.”
Adrian turned.
“One is a stimulant.”
“What kind?”
“Strong enough that repeated nighttime exposure could seriously disrupt sleep.”
“And the second?”
“Something that can interfere with memory and concentration.”
Adrian said nothing.
Gabriel continued.
“The dosage isn't designed to kill you.”
“No.”
Adrian finally understood.
“Killing me would create questions.”
Gabriel nodded.
“Keeping you alive but exhausted?”
“Makes me look unstable.”
“And Dominic looks responsible.”
Adrian walked toward the desk.
“Who prescribed my medication?”
“Dr. Walter Keene.”
“Who recommended him?”
Gabriel didn't answer.
Adrian already knew.
“Dominic.”
“Yes.”
“Who convinced me to replace my previous security chief?”
“Dominic.”
“My financial adviser?”
“Dominic.”
“My operations director?”
“Dominic.”
Adrian gave a humorless smile.
“He didn't take my empire.”
Gabriel waited.
Adrian finished quietly.
“I handed it to him.”
The door opened.
Teresa Ricci stood there.
Her face was pale.
“Mr. Moretti.”
“What?”
“Your brother just arrived.”
Adrian looked at Gabriel.
“Does he know you're here?”
“No.”
“Keep it that way.”
Teresa hesitated.
“There’s something else.”
“What?”
“He asked for Lily.”
Adrian's expression changed.
“Why?”
“He said he bought her a present.”
Nobody moved.
Then Adrian slowly buttoned his jacket.
“Where is he?”
“Dining room.”
Adrian walked toward the door.
Gabriel caught his arm.
“If he knows—”
“He doesn't.”
“How can you be sure?”
Adrian looked back.
May you like
“Because if he knew, he wouldn't have walked into my house.”
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