Chapter 4 – THE POCKET WATCH OF LIES

The room spun.

Luca’s late wife, Elena, had died in a car accident seven years ago. Everyone knew it was a tragedy.

Now, Gabriel’s letter claimed it was murder.

“Hannah,” Luca said, his voice eerily calm. “Take Sophie to her room. Lock the door. Do not let anyone in except me.”

I nodded, grabbing Sophie’s hand.

As we hurried down the hall, I saw Vanessa rushing up the grand staircase.

“Where is he?” she demanded, blocking my path.

“Excuse me, Mrs. Bellini,” I said, keeping Sophie behind me.

Vanessa grabbed my arm, her nails digging into my skin.

“You little rat. You ruined everything.”

“Let her go!” Sophie yelled.

Vanessa sneered at the child. “Your grandmother belongs in a home, you little brat.”

“Vanessa.”

Luca’s voice echoed from the top of the stairs. He held the letters from the private investigator in one hand, and a heavy gold pocket watch in the other.

Vanessa let go of me. Her face went slack.

“Luca, darling…”

“This was my father’s watch,” Luca said, holding it up. “Michael said he sold it to pay off gambling debts.”

Vanessa swallowed hard. “He did.”

“No,” Luca stepped down. “I just found it in your private safe. Along with the deed to my mother’s house.”

“I was keeping it safe!” she lied.

Luca threw the letters at her feet. “And these? You’ve been tracking Gabriel?”

“He’s dangerous, Luca! He hates you!”

“He hates your father,” Luca corrected. “Because your father killed Elena.”

Vanessa froze. Then, a slow, ugly smile crept onto her face.

“Elena was a weak little bird. She was going to take your money and run away with Gabriel.”

Luca lunged, pinning Vanessa against the wall.

“You’re lying.”

“Am I?” Vanessa hissed. “Ask your precious mother. She knew.”

I pulled Sophie away, rushing her into her bedroom and locking the heavy oak door.

My heart hammered against my ribs.

Sophie sat on her bed, hugging her knees. “Is Daddy going to be okay?”

“He’s strong, sweetie,” I promised.

I went to the window to draw the curtains, but something outside caught my eye.

Three black SUVs had just pulled into the Moretti driveway.

Men in dark suits were getting out. They weren’t Luca’s men.

They wore red ties. Don Bellini’s men.

I backed away from the window just as my phone vibrated in my pocket.

It was an unknown number.

I answered it.

“Hannah?” a deep, gruff voice asked.

“Who is this?”

“My name is Gabriel Moretti. I need you to listen to me very carefully if you want my mother and my niece to survive the night.”

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