Chapter 6
Matteo immediately sent men toward the crypt.
Celeste laughed.
“Run.”
Her voice echoed through the stone chamber.
“Search graves.”
“Open tombs.”
“Maybe the dead Hales are hiding underneath.”
Donna looked disturbed.
Celeste saw it.
She leaned toward her.
“Don't worry.”
“Maybe your husband will climb out and save you.”
Rocco turned.
Celeste held his gaze.
No apology.
She wanted him to react.
Rocco gave her nothing.
That angered her.
Sebastian looked at Nora.
“You've done enough.”
Nora flinched.
He smiled.
“Go back upstairs and polish something.”
Rocco’s voice stopped her.
“She stays.”
Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
“She's a maid.”
“She heard more than you wanted.”
“That doesn't make her important.”
Rocco looked directly at him.
“It makes her useful.”
Nora straightened slightly.
Sebastian laughed.
“Congratulations.”
He looked at her.
“You got promoted from servant to witness.”
Rocco’s jaw tightened.
Nora whispered:
“There was more.”
Celeste’s expression sharpened.
Rocco turned.
Nora continued.
“She asked Mrs. Donna where Mr. Salvatore kept the second bell rope.”
Vincent’s face changed instantly.
“What?”
Rocco looked at him.
“There are two?”
Vincent stared at Celeste.
“Yes.”
The chapel bell had two pulling points.
One upstairs.
One underground.
The underground rope allowed guards beneath the estate to signal without showing themselves.
Donna had known because Salvatore once showed her during an old siege.
Celeste had apparently learned that.
“How?”
Rocco asked.
Donna looked ashamed.
“I told her.”
Celeste smiled.
“There.”
She looked at Rocco.
“Your mother.”
Donna’s eyes filled.
Celeste’s voice became delightedly cruel.
“She invited me into every secret.”
“Showed me the old passage.”
“Told me which stone opens the crypt stair.”
“Explained the bell.”
Then she looked at Donna.
“And now she wants to kneel on the floor and pretend I stole the knowledge.”
Donna whispered:
“I thought you were joining the family.”
Celeste laughed.
“That might be the saddest thing you've said all night.”
Donna lowered her head.
Rocco saw the hurt.
Celeste continued.
“You wanted a daughter.”
“Didn't you?”
Donna looked up.
Celeste smiled.
“You brought me tea.”
“Showed me Salvatore’s rooms.”
“Told me stories.”
Her voice softened into mockery.
“You were so desperate to be needed.”
Donna’s chin trembled.
Rocco stepped toward Celeste.
Donna grabbed his sleeve.
“No.”
He stopped.
His mother looked at Celeste herself.
“I trusted you.”
Celeste lifted one shoulder.
“That was your decision.”
The same cold logic.
Rocco’s gaze hardened.
Then Sebastian laughed.
“My sister didn't force you to open anything.”
Donna looked at him.
He leaned closer.
“You were lonely.”
“So she listened.”
“You paid for attention with secrets.”
Donna’s eyes filled.
Sebastian smiled.
“Don't cry now because the price was higher than you expected.”
Nora looked furious.
Rocco remained still.
Every insult made the room colder.
Then Matteo returned.
“Boss.”
Rocco turned.
“The lower crypt entrance is open.”
Celeste’s eyes shifted.
Sebastian’s did not.
Too controlled.
Matteo continued.
“Fresh boot prints.”
“How many?”
“At least eight.”
Vincent swore quietly.
Rocco looked toward Celeste.
She smiled.
“There.”
“Now you have your army under the floor.”
Rocco narrowed his eyes.
“You're not surprised.”
“Why would I be?”
She stepped closer.
“Maybe because I'm not stupid.”
Rocco’s voice lowered.
“Who are they?”
Celeste smiled.
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“Whether you still intend to marry me.”
Donna stared at her.
Sebastian laughed.
There it was.
Leverage.
Celeste believed she still had it.
Rocco looked at the ring sitting in dirty basin water miles behind them in the garage.
Then back at her.
“You think the wedding is still happening.”
Celeste’s smile widened.
“You think it isn't?”
Her eyes became cold.
“Then ask your men how many Hale crews are already inside Boston because of this marriage.”
Rocco said nothing.
Celeste stepped closer.
“You can humiliate me in a garage.”
“Throw Sebastian through furniture.”
“Take off my ring.”
Her smile became vicious.
“But if you break this alliance tonight, half your eastern routes burn before breakfast.”
Rocco watched her.
At last, the reason for her confidence was visible.
May you like
She was not fearless.
She believed Rocco could not afford to choose his mother over her.
