Chapter 6
Angelo stared at the pistol.
He remembered losing it on the road.
Remembered waking in the hospital and asking for it.
Rocco had told him it was never recovered.
Now it had been hidden beneath his bed.
Dominic laughed softly.
“Interesting.”
Angelo turned.
“You knew?”
“No.”
“That sounded convincing.”
Dominic’s eyes hardened.
“Careful.”
The word came automatically.
Like Angelo was still the invalid upstairs.
Angelo noticed.
So did the men.
Power had habits.
Dominic had forgotten to hide his.
Helena stepped toward the weapon.
“Don't touch it.”
Angelo looked at her.
“Why?”
“You don't know who handled it.”
He smiled faintly.
“My aunt worried about evidence now?”
She narrowed her eyes.
“Don't be stupid.”
Angelo handed the pistol to Rocco.
“Who brought it here?”
No answer.
Emma stood near the doorway with Noah.
She had gone quiet.
Angelo looked at her.
“You know something.”
Dominic scoffed.
“She always knows something after the room gets quiet.”
Emma ignored him.
Her fingers twisted in her apron.
“The night Noah saw the scarred man…”
She swallowed.
“I heard someone under the floor.”
Helena's face hardened.
“You said nothing?”
Emma looked at her.
“You told me I would disappear if I asked questions.”
Helena smiled.
“And yet here you are.”
Her voice turned poisonous.
“Still breathing.”
“Still employed.”
“Still somehow convinced you were mistreated.”
Emma’s eyes filled.
Helena stepped closer.
“Do you know how many women would thank me for a room on this estate?”
Her gaze dropped to Noah.
“And free meals for the little burden they dragged in with them?”
Noah lowered his head.
Emma’s hand immediately touched his hair.
Angelo’s fingers tightened.
Helena saw it.
“Look.”
“There it is again.”
She smiled.
“Everyone has to stop because the maid’s child feels sad.”
Angelo’s voice went cold.
“Enough.”
Helena looked at him.
“No.”
She pointed toward Emma.
“You want to know why she’s suddenly brave?”
“Because she thinks your wheelchair made you lonely enough to need her.”
Emma’s face burned.
Dominic laughed.
The humiliation was deliberate.
Angelo waited until the laughter stopped.
Then asked Emma:
“What did you hear?”
Her breathing steadied.
“A man said the route should have killed you.”
Dominic stopped smiling.
Helena did not move.
Emma continued.
“Another man said dead men don't make useful symbols.”
Angelo’s eyes narrowed.
“Useful for what?”
Emma looked toward Dominic.
“For obedience.”
The word hung there.
Dominic’s jaw tightened.
Angelo understood one thing.
Someone had wanted him alive.
Helpless.
Visible.
The wheelchair was not merely a consequence.
It had become part of a message.
Then Rocco spoke.
“I know that phrase.”
Angelo turned.
“Who uses it?”
Rocco looked toward Helena.
She became completely still.
“Your father.”
Silence.
Angelo stared.
“My father is dead.”
“Yes.”
Rocco swallowed.
“But Helena used to repeat it.”
Every eye moved toward her.
Helena’s mouth curved into a slow smile.
“At last.”
May you like
She looked at Angelo.
“You’re finally asking the right person.”
