Chapter 9 - THE NIGHT THE ESTATE BURNED
The fire began at 2:17 a.m.
A security alarm sounded near the western stables.
Owen Cain reached the building first.
Smoke poured from the roof.
Flames climbed the wooden beams.
Inside, three horses were trapped.
Midnight was one of them.
Alessandro arrived seconds later.
“Get the animals out.”
Owen grabbed his arm.
“The roof's unstable.”
Alessandro pulled free.
Then stopped.
He remembered Elena.
Force broke things. Patience built them.
He turned toward the firefighters arriving through the estate gates.
“Tell them exactly where the stalls are. Nobody goes inside without protective equipment.”
The firefighters organized the rescue.
Two horses were led out through a side entrance.
Midnight refused to move.
Smoke filled the stable.
Alessandro stood beyond the safety line.
He could hear the stallion screaming.
Then a firefighter emerged.
“There's a horse refusing the exit.”
Alessandro felt helpless.
For years, he had believed money could solve anything.
Now all his money couldn't persuade one frightened animal to move.
Owen looked at him.
“Sir, we may have to leave him.”
Alessandro closed his eyes.
Then remembered Elena's voice.
Nobody's going to force you.
He asked the firefighter to have the veterinarian guide the rescue team in using familiar handling cues and the horse's usual lead equipment.
The team returned inside.
Minutes passed.
Then Midnight emerged through the smoke.
His coat was streaked with soot.
His breathing was heavy.
But he was alive.
Alessandro dropped to one knee.
For a moment, he couldn't speak.
***
Investigators determined the fire had been deliberately set.
Security footage showed a vehicle entering through a service road shortly before the alarm.
The license plate had been obscured.
But one camera captured the driver's face.
Marcus Webb.
One of Matteo's associates.
Alessandro handed the footage to law enforcement.
Then called Elena.
She answered sleepily.
“Alessandro?”
“Midnight is safe.”
She sat upright.
“What happened?”
“There was a fire.”
Her voice broke.
“Is he hurt?”
“Minor smoke exposure. Claire is with him.”
Elena covered her mouth.
“Oh, thank God.”
Alessandro hesitated.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes.”
He heard something in her voice.
“Elena?”
She began crying.
“I thought I was getting used to being safe.”
Alessandro closed his eyes.
“I'm sorry.”
She shook her head, though he couldn't see.
“You didn't do this.”
“No.”
“Then stop apologizing for other people's choices.”
He smiled sadly.
She took a breath.
“Can I come see Midnight tomorrow?”
“Of course.”
Then she whispered:
“And you?”
Alessandro went still.
“What?”
“Can I see you too?”
He looked toward the burning remains of the stable.
For the first time that night, warmth moved through his chest.
“Yes,” he said.
May you like
“I'd like that.”
---
