CHAPTER 2: SHATTERED TRUST
"Don't move," Dante growled, disarming the fake officer in a fluid, practiced motion.
Elena screamed, stumbling backward into the nursery. Lily let out a terrified cry, burying her face into Marco’s chest. Marco scooped the little girl up in his left arm, holding her head gently against his collarbone so she wouldn't see the violence unfolding before her.
"Shh, Lily. Look at me," Marco whispered soothingly, smoothing down her blonde hair. "Close your eyes and count to ten in Italian, remember? *Uno, due, tre...*"
Lily squeezed her eyes shut, her small lips moving in quiet numbers against his lapel.
Marco turned his cold gaze onto the intruder. Dante stripped the man's fake badge and threw him to the Persian rug. In the imposter's tactical vest was an encrypted military-grade transponder, broadcasting an active live feed straight out of the estate.
"Who hired you?" Marco demanded.
The imposter only coughed, spitting blood onto the rug, grinning through bruised teeth. "You think you can leave the Syndicate just because you took in your dead partner's kid? Sal Rossi sends his regards. He wants his ledger back, Moretti. Or the girl doesn't see her seventh birthday."
Elena fell to her knees, weeping uncontrollably. "Marco... they promised me they only wanted the papers! They said if I let him in, no one would get hurt!"
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Marco stared down at Elena, a sickening grief hollowed out in his chest. Betrayal from an enemy was expected; betrayal from family cut to the bone.
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