My Housekeeper’s Three-Year-Old Daughter Made Me Laugh for the First Time in Years—Then I Found My Dead Brother’s Lighter in Her Purse. / Chapter 7 / 50

Chapter 7 - the truth of the last night

By dawn, the storm had passed, leaving a pale golden light breaking through the misty clouds over the estate grounds.

Adrian stood near the floor-to-ceiling windows of his study, holding a cup of black coffee, watching Nora run across the damp lawn in her yellow dress, chasing a small white butterfly. Standing beside her on the grass was Emma, wearing a simple cream wool sweater and dark trousers that Adrian's staff had provided, looking relaxed and peaceful for the first time.

Marcus stepped into the study, holding a thick black folder.

"Boss," Marcus reported. "We traced the weapons used by the mercenaries last night. They were supplied by Dominic's old lieutenant, Vincent Rossi, operating out of a waterfront warehouse in New Haven."

"Vincent Rossi," Adrian repeated, his tone dropping into an icy register. "The man who handled Dominic's private enforcement."

"Rossi knows the location of the safety deposit box James left behind," Marcus added. "His men are planning to breach the New Haven bank at 9:00 AM when it opens."

Adrian set his coffee cup down on the desk with an agonizingly slow click. "Get the armored cars ready, Marcus. We are going to New Haven."

"Should I leave a full detail here for Emma and the child?" Marcus asked.

"Six men on the perimeter, two inside the house," Adrian commanded flatly. "If anyone approaches this property without my personal authorization, execute them on sight."

Adrian walked down the stairs to the foyer, where Emma was guiding Nora inside for breakfast.

He stopped before Emma, reaching out to gently adjust the yellow bow in Nora's blonde curls. The little girl looked up at him, smiling brightly, and reached into her small yellow purse, pulling out a small plastic toy ring.

"For you, Uncle Adrian," Nora said happily, pressing the toy into his broad palm.

Adrian let out a quiet, genuine smile, closing his fingers gently around the toy ring. "Thank you, little boss. Keep your mother safe while I'm gone."