Chapter 2 - The Voice Inside the Rabbit
“Moretti won’t see it coming.”
Vittorio’s recorded voice was unmistakable.
Another man answered.
“When do we move?”
“When Alessandro’s southern shipment leaves. His men will be divided.”
“And the housekeeper?”
A pause.
Then Vittorio laughed.
“She heard too much.”
Alessandro’s fingers tightened around the desk.
Mia stood beside him.
“Is that the bad uncle?”
Alessandro immediately stopped the recording.
“Yes.”
“Where’s Mama?”
“I don’t know yet.”
He picked up his phone.
“Marco. Study. Now.”
Marco arrived minutes later.
Alessandro replayed the recording from the beginning.
This time, Mia remained with Rosa in the adjoining room.
The audio continued.
The second voice said, “You should have gotten rid of the woman.”
“No. She’s useful.”
“How?”
“Elena worked inside Moretti’s house for four years. She knows routines, rooms, names.”
“She won’t talk.”
“She will eventually.”
Marco looked at Alessandro.
“She was alive when this was recorded.”
“When was it made?”
Marco checked the file.
“Three days before Elena disappeared.”
The recording continued.
Vittorio mentioned a place.
Not directly.
A passing sentence.
“The old Bellport property is secure.”
Marco stopped the audio.
“Bellport.”
Alessandro stood.
“You know it?”
“Vittorio’s father owned a summer house there years ago.”
“Does he still?”
“Officially? No.”
Alessandro reached for his coat.
Marco blocked him.
“You can’t go.”
Alessandro stared at him.
“Move.”
“If Vittorio is setting you up, walking into Bellport personally gives him exactly what he wants.”
“And if Elena is there?”
“Send me.”
“No.”
“Alessandro—”
“No.”
The adjoining door opened.
Mia stood there holding her damaged rabbit.
“Are you getting Mommy?”
Neither man answered.
Mia walked to Alessandro.
She lifted her arms.
He picked her up.
“You promised.”
“I remember.”
“Mommy says promises are important.”
Marco looked away, hiding the faintest smile.
Alessandro nodded.
“Your mother is right.”
Mia touched his cheek.
“Then go get her.”
Alessandro looked at Marco.
“Prepare the cars.”
Marco sighed.
“Of course.”
But Alessandro didn’t move immediately.
He carried Mia upstairs himself.
Rosa waited in the nursery.
Alessandro placed Mia on the bed.
“I need you to stay with Rosa.”
“Why?”
“Because I have work.”
“Finding Mommy?”
“Yes.”
Mia reached beneath her blanket and produced the rabbit.
“Take Bunny.”
Alessandro frowned.
“That belongs to you.”
“She’ll know I sent you.”
He stared at the toy.
The stitching was torn. One ear sagged lower than the other.
Yet Alessandro accepted it as carefully as if Mia had handed him something priceless.
“I’ll bring it back.”
“With Mommy.”
Alessandro met her eyes.
“With Mommy.”
Twenty minutes later, two black vehicles left the estate.
But they never reached Bellport.
Marco’s phone rang halfway there.
He listened.
Then looked at Alessandro.
“What?”
“Our surveillance team just saw Vittorio.”
“Where?”
“Leaving Bellport.”
Alessandro leaned forward.
“With Elena?”
“No.”
“Then keep following him.”
Marco listened again.
His expression changed.
“What?”
“He’s coming here.”
Alessandro turned toward the driver.
“Turn around.”
Marco understood immediately.
“Mia.”
Alessandro’s voice dropped.
“He knows.”
The cars accelerated back toward the Moretti estate.
For the first time in years, Alessandro was not worried about his empire.
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He was worried about a three-year-old girl waiting beside a window.
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