Chapter 19 - The council of wolves
The realization settled over the room like an oncoming execution. Elena wasn't just a maid who happened to save baby Leo; she had been brought into this house by a web of dark design, guided by forces she had never comprehended.
Suddenly, the secure satellite phone on Lorenzo’s desk began to buzz. A harsh, rhythmic vibration against the dark mahogany.
Lorenzo pressed the speaker button.
"Lorenzo," a raspy, aristocratic voice drawled through the speaker. Julian Moretti. "I hear you took a little road trip to Connecticut this morning. Quite messy."
Lorenzo didn't raise his voice. His tone was as cold as a Siberian grave. "Julian. Enjoy the rain while you can. It’s the last sunrise you will ever see."
A dry, mocking chuckle came through the line. "Always so theatrical, Lorenzo. But you're playing a game you don't fully understand. You think you won because you have the girl back? You think Cole was the only one in your house?"
Lorenzo’s hand tightened around the edge of the desk until the wood splintered beneath his grip. "What did you say?"
"Check your perimeter, Lorenzo," Julian said smoothly. "I don't need to breach your gates when I already hold the keys to your front door. Look at your security feed. Right now."
Marcus instantly tapped the tablet on the table, switching to the mansion’s live security feeds.
On the screen showing the private nursery, the armed guard posted outside the door was lying facedown on the carpet in a pool of dark blood.
The screen inside the nursery showed the two cribs—completely empty.
Elena gasped, a sound of unadulterated agony tearing from her throat. "NO! NO, GOD NO!"
"Julian!" Lorenzo roared, rising from his chair with a fury that shook the room.
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"I didn't take them off the grounds, Lorenzo," Julian laughed, the sound cold and sadistic. "Why leave when your home has such lovely, deep basements? If you want to see the Rossi bloodline survive past sunset, you will walk down to your family crypt alone. No Marcus. No weapons. Just you. Let’s see what a father is willing to trade for his blood."
The line went dead.
