Chapter 5 - THE HOUSE WITH TWO ENEMIES
Vincent ordered a complete security sweep.
The mansion changed overnight.
Guards appeared at every entrance.
Cameras were inspected.
Staff access was reviewed.
Lily thought it was exciting.
"Are we playing detectives?"
I forced a smile.
"Something like that."
But I was terrified.
Adrian had placed a listening device inside my daughter's toy.
That meant someone wanted to hear what happened around her.
Or around me.
Vincent called me into his study.
Daniel stood beside the desk.
"We found two more devices," Vincent said.
My stomach dropped.
"Where?"
"One in the kitchen. One near the east staircase."
The forbidden staircase.
I stared.
"Why?"
Vincent looked at Daniel.
Then back at me.
"Someone has been monitoring this house."
"Your brother?"
"We don't know yet."
I crossed my arms.
"Mr. Marquetti, I need to ask you something."
"Go ahead."
"Is my daughter in danger?"
He hesitated.
That was answer enough.
I felt my throat tighten.
"I need to leave."
Vincent stood.
"Elena—"
"No."
My voice broke.
"I came here because I needed work. I didn't come here to put Lily in the middle of your family's problems."
He looked at me.
For a moment, I saw the mafia boss everyone feared.
Then his expression softened.
"You're right."
I stared.
"I am?"
"Yes."
He walked toward the window.
"I can't ask you to trust a house that may already be compromised."
My eyes filled.
"I don't have anywhere else to go."
"You have family in Milwaukee."
I froze.
"How do you know that?"
Vincent turned.
"Your employment records."
I stepped backward.
He noticed.
"I'm sorry. That sounded worse than I intended."
I looked down.
"Her father might find us."
Silence.
Vincent's voice changed.
"Who is he?"
I hesitated.
Then whispered:
"Marcus Velez."
Daniel went still.
Vincent stared.
"Marcus Velez?"
I nodded.
"Do you know him?"
Vincent exchanged a glance with Daniel.
My stomach tightened.
"What?"
Vincent spoke carefully.
"Marcus used to work for a rival organization."
I felt the room spin.
"He told me he was a security contractor."
Vincent's expression darkened.
"That was one of his jobs."
I sat down.
For five years, I had tried to forget Marcus.
The shouting.
The threats.
The way he controlled my money.
The night I left with Lily wrapped in a blanket.
I had believed I was finally safe.
Now I realized the man I'd escaped had connections to the world I'd entered.
Vincent crouched in front of me.
"Elena, listen carefully."
I looked at him.
"Did Marcus ever mention the Marquetti family?"
I shook my head.
"Not that I remember."
"Did he know where you worked?"
"No."
Vincent stood.
Then turned to Daniel.
"Find out whether Adrian has had contact with Velez."
Daniel nodded.
"Immediately."
I stared.
"Why would your brother know Lily's father?"
Vincent didn't answer.
And that frightened me more than anything.
That night, I packed our belongings.
Lily sat on the bed watching me.
"Are we leaving?"
"Maybe for a little while."
"Did Mister Vincent do something naughty?"
I stopped.
"No, sweetheart."
"Then why?"
I knelt beside her.
"Sometimes grown-ups have problems they need to fix."
She frowned.
"Then they should talk nicely."
I smiled sadly.
"You're right."
She looked toward the door.
"Can I say goodbye?"
Before I could answer, someone knocked.
Vincent stood outside.
He held a small purple notebook.
"Lily left this in the breakfast room."
I took it.
"Thank you."
He looked at the suitcase.
"You're leaving."
I nodded.
"I have to protect her."
His face tightened.
"I understand."
He turned to go.
Then Lily ran forward.
"Mister Vincent!"
He stopped.
She hugged his leg.
He froze.
"Don't be sad," she whispered.
Vincent looked down.
For a moment, he seemed unable to breathe.
Then he knelt and hugged her gently.
"I'll try."
Lily pulled back.
"You promise?"
He nodded.
"I promise."
She held out her pinky.
Vincent stared at it.
Then hooked his finger around hers.
"Pinky promise."
I watched them.
And for the first time, I saw something in Vincent Marquetti that frightened me more than his power.
His loneliness.
May you like
Because I was beginning to care about him.
And caring about dangerous men had nearly destroyed my life once before.
