Chapter 11 - THE SHADOWS OF THE PAST|
The storm raged outside the Hudson estate all through the night, driving rain against the high slate roof and bending the autumn trees near the river.
In the basement security room, Silas sat in a leather armchair, staring at twelve black-and-white monitor screens displaying the perimeter fences.
The butler, Vincent, walked in quietly, holding two crystal glasses and a bottle of aged bourbon.
"You should sleep, Don Moretti," Vincent said, pouring two fingers of the dark liquid into a glass.
"I haven't slept a full night since the day Julian died, Vincent," Silas replied, taking the glass without looking away from the monitors. "And now... now I feel like I've been given a second chance that I don't deserve."
"She is a sweet child," Vincent observed gently. "She has her father's quiet strength. Did you see her face this morning when Isabella screamed at her? She didn't flinch."
"That's what frightens me," Silas murmured, his gray eyes narrowing. "She's a Moretti. The blood doesn't lie. But this life destroyed my firstborn, Vincent. I won't let it destroy her."
"What about Dante?" Vincent asked carefully. "He’s already contacting the captains in Brooklyn."
Silas took a slow sip of his bourbon. "Dante thinks he’s a lion, but he’s just a scavenger. Keep two extra guards on the second floor tonight, Vincent. Trust no one. Not even my own sons."
Meanwhile, on the far west wing of the second floor, a light burned bright inside Isabella’s private sitting room.
She sat at her vanity table, holding a small silver encrypted phone against her ear.
"He recognized her," Isabella whispered frantically into the receiver. "The DNA test came back positive. He’s going to rewrite his will by Friday!"
A dark, gravelly voice answered from the speaker: "Does the child know who we are?"
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"No! She's three years old!" Isabella hissed. "But if Silas hands Julian's share of the territory to that maid, my position in this family is completely ruined!"
"Calm down, Isabella," the gravelly voice replied coldly. "The Genovese family has been waiting six years to finish what we started with Julian. If the child is his... she won't survive the week."
