Chapter 5 - shadows over the mansion
Within ten minutes, the east wing corridor was lined with heavily armed guards in dark suits. The estate was operating under quiet lockdown.
In Dante's private study, warm wooden wall panels and gold accent lights created an aura of ancient wealth. Dante stood behind his dark marble desk, watching the live security feed on a wall-mounted glass monitor. Beside him stood Nina, her hands tucked neatly into her cardigan pockets, while Elina sat on a plush armchair holding a sleeping Mia in her lap.
"The footage from the hallway was looped," Dante said, his dark beard hiding a tight, dangerous smile. "Whoever entered Matteo's room knew exactly how to bypass our internal firewall. They were in that room for less than two minutes."
Nina stepped closer to the screen. "If someone tampered with his neurological monitor, they weren't trying to harm him physically. They were checking his recovery status. They wanted to know if he was waking up."
Elina shuddered, pulling the soft blanket higher over Mia’s pink sneakers. "Why would anyone want to know that?"
Dante’s eyes flickered toward Elina. "Because three months ago, the night Matteo was ambushed at the harbor, he was going to meet an informant who knew the identity of the mole inside our family. Matteo took a bullet protecting that information. The traitor needs to know if my brother will ever speak again."
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He looked at the little girl sleeping peacefully in Elina's arms. Mia had seen the intruder's face—or at least heard something crucial.
"Elina," Dante said softly. "You and Mia move into the master suite annex starting tonight. You don't leave this floor without my personal escort."
