Chapter 6 - THE WARNING
Two days later, Griffin received a photograph.
It showed her leaving the Velvet Room.
The message beneath it read:
SOME FAMILY SECRETS SHOULD STAY BURIED.
She stared at the screen.
Then another message arrived.
ASK YOUR FATHER WHAT HAPPENS TO PEOPLE WHO TALK.
Griffin's hands began shaking.
She called Salvatore.
He answered immediately.
“Griffin?”
She swallowed.
“Someone's watching me.”
His voice changed.
“Where are you?”
“At work.”
“Stay inside.”
“Salvatore—”
“Please.”
She stopped.
It was the second time he'd said that word to her.
And somehow, it frightened her more than a command.
Twenty minutes later, he arrived.
Griffin was waiting near the kitchen.
He approached.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
He exhaled.
Then looked at the message.
His face hardened.
“Vittorio.”
Griffin swallowed.
“Your uncle?”
Salvatore nodded.
She looked at him.
“Is he dangerous?”
Salvatore hesitated.
Then answered honestly.
“Yes.”
Griffin stared.
“And you're dangerous too?”
He looked at her.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he nodded.
“I have been.”
She swallowed.
“Will you hurt him?”
Salvatore looked at the photograph.
Then at his daughter.
“No.”
Griffin blinked.
He continued.
“I'm going to make sure he answers for what he's done.”
She studied him.
“Without killing him?”
Salvatore nodded.
“Without killing him.”
May you like
Griffin exhaled.
For the first time, she believed him.
