Chapter 6 - THE GIRL WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO DISAPPEAR
The warning arrived three days after the exhibition.
A photograph.
Me.
Standing outside the gallery.
Taken from across the street.
Elio placed it on the table.
My stomach tightened.
“Who sent it?”
He shook his head.
“We don't know.”
Bruno stood beside him.
His expression was grim.
“The Santoro family has been asking questions.”
I swallowed.
Elio looked at me.
“We need to be careful.”
I nodded.
“What do you want me to do?”
He hesitated.
Then said:
“I want to explain the situation first.”
For the next twenty minutes, he told me everything he knew.
The Santoro family.
The territorial disputes.
The threats.
The possibility that someone wanted to use me to pressure him.
I listened.
Then asked:
“Am I in immediate danger?”
Elio shook his head.
“We don't know.”
I took a breath.
“Then I want to continue working.”
His jaw tightened.
But he nodded.
“We'll make a plan.”
That evening, Lena visited.
She hugged me tightly.
“You look tired.”
I laughed.
“Married life.”
She studied me.
“Is he treating you well?”
I hesitated.
Then nodded.
“Better.”
Lena smiled faintly.
“That's something.”
Later, she told me something strange.
Dario had been asking about my schedule.
Where I went.
Who I met.
When I would be alone.
My stomach dropped.
I told Elio immediately.
His expression hardened.
“Dario?”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
Elio looked toward the window.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then whispered:
“I should have seen this.”
I stared.
“What?”
He turned toward me.
“Dario has been making moves behind my back.”
The room suddenly felt colder.
May you like
Because I realized the greatest danger might not be outside the Viera family.
It might be standing inside it.
