Chapter 1
Bernadette’s eyes never left the glass.
Not Luca.
Not the bodyguards closing the iron gates.
The glass.
Vittorio noticed.
That was why he did not smash it against the pavement or force it toward her lips despite the fury still burning beneath his ribs.
He simply held it higher.
Bernadette’s breath caught.
“Give me that.”
Her voice came out too quickly.
Vittorio’s eyes narrowed.
Maria stood several feet away with both hands clenched into her apron.
Luca was pressed against Vittorio’s leg now, one small fist twisted into the fabric of his trousers.
His face had gone pale.
“Daddy…”
Vittorio immediately crouched.
His voice changed.
Softened.
“Look at me.”
Luca tried.
His eyelids fluttered.
The anger vanished from Vittorio’s expression.
Not because he felt less of it.
Because fear had replaced it.
“Doctor. Now.”
Two bodyguards moved.
Bernadette stepped forward.
“He’s being dramatic.”
Vittorio slowly lifted his gaze.
The entire motor court seemed to hold its breath.
Bernadette stopped.
No shouting followed.
That silence made her take half a step backward.
Vittorio placed the glass into a sealed evidence bag from the estate security kit.
Then he lifted Luca into his arms.
Maria hurried beside him.
As they crossed toward the medical wing, Luca weakly caught his father’s lapel.
“Aunt Bernie said I had to finish it.”
Vittorio’s jaw tightened.
“Why?”
Luca swallowed.
“Because she said good boys don’t make trouble.”
Vittorio stopped walking.
Maria stopped too.
“What trouble?”
Luca pointed weakly toward Bernadette’s luxury car.
His little voice barely carried across the courtyard.
“I saw Uncle Nico inside.”
Vittorio’s head turned.
Nico Ferraro was his underboss.
His oldest friend.
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And according to Vittorio’s schedule, Nico was supposed to be two hundred miles away.
Bernadette finally looked frightened for a reason that had nothing to do with the glass.
