Chapter 5 – THE SILVER ROSARY

“Keep it safe,” Lily whispered.

I looked down. It was a heavy silver rosary.

“My mom gave it to me,” Lily said. “It protects people you love.”

Tears stung my eyes. I put it around my neck. “I’ll be right back, sweetie.”

Matteo drove me to the edge of the Romano estate. The mansion was dark, swarming with Raymond’s men.

I knew the security patrols better than anyone. For fourteen months, I had cleaned every inch of this property.

I slipped through the basement storm doors and crept up the servant stairs to the study.

The house was eerily silent.

I found the loose floorboard under the Persian rug. The gold key fit perfectly into the hidden lockbox.

I pulled out the black leather ledger.

“Looking for this?” a voice purred.

The lights flipped on.

Cassandra stood in the doorway, holding a silver revolver. She was wearing Lily’s mother’s diamond bracelet.

“You’re a very stupid girl, Natalie,” she sneered.

“And you’re a fraud,” I shot back, clutching the ledger. “I know about your son with Raymond.”

Cassandra’s smile faltered. “That boy is the true heir. Not that pathetic, whiny little girl.”

She raised the gun.

I didn’t think. I ripped the heavy silver rosary from my neck and whipped it across her face.

The metal struck her cheekbone. Cassandra shrieked and dropped the gun.

I bolted past her, sprinting down the grand staircase.

I burst out the front doors and ran toward Matteo’s waiting car.

But as I reached the driveway, headlights blinded me.

It wasn’t Matteo.

Raymond stepped out of the SUV, holding Lily by the back of her neck.

Share