Chapter 2 - the listener in the hallway
Dante stood up from his leather executive chair in a single fluid motion. His broad frame moved across the rug without making a sound. He reached out, grabbed the brass handle of the study door, and yanked it open.
Standing in the dimly lit hallway, her hand hovering near the door frame, was Valentina.
She gasped, taking a quick step backward, her diamond earrings catching the low hallway light. She held a silver tray containing a glass of ice water, her composure slipping for a fraction of a second before she forced a smooth, sisterly smile.
"Dante," Valentina murmured, her voice steadying. "I saw the light under your door. I thought you might want something cold to drink."
Dante stood in the doorway, towering over her, his dark eyes deadpan and icy. He didn't look at the water glass. His gaze rested on her face with terrifying precision.
"Why were you standing at my door, Valentina?" Dante asked, his deep voice carrying a quiet thunder that vibrated through the empty hall.
Valentina adjusted her expensive gold bracelet, leaning lightly against the door frame. "I was worried about you. You've been staring at that old piano all afternoon. Ever since that housekeeper's child pulled that useless tape from the wood."
"It's not useless," Dante said softly, stepping closer to her. "It's Chiara's voice."
Valentina’s smile faltered completely. She took a slow breath, her posture becoming defensive. "Dante, Chiara was sick during her final weeks. She was paranoid. She was seeing shadows in every corner of this house. Whatever she recorded on that tape was the product of a feverish mind. You shouldn't torture yourself by listening to it."
"She wasn't paranoid, Valentina," Dante growled, leaning down until his sharp face was inches from hers. "And the dust around that piano compartment was disturbed two hours before Mia found the tape. Who was looking for it?"
Valentina went pale, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Before Dante could answer, Giulia Bennett stepped around the corner of the hallway, holding a stack of freshly pressed linens. Seeing the terrifying tension between the Mafia Don and his sister, Giulia froze, her brown eyes wide with fear as she clutched the linens to her chest.
"Mr. Moretti... excuse me," Giulia stammered softly. "I was just returning the guest room keys."
Dante turned his gaze toward Giulia, his intense expression softening slightly. "It's fine, Giulia. Go down to the kitchen and take Mia to your quarters for the night."
Giulia bowed her head respectfully and quickly hurried down the corridor.
Dante turned back to his sister, pointing toward the stairs. "Go to your room, Valentina. We will finish this conversation in the morning."
May you like
Valentina stared at him with a mixture of fear and resentment before spinning on her high heels and walking down the dark hallway.
Dante stepped back into his study, locked the heavy oak door from the inside, and returned to his desk, pressing PLAY on the cassette player once more.
