Chapter 2 - THE GIFT HIDDEN IN A LOCKED OFFICE|
The elevator doors closed, and the applause upstairs faded into a dull vibration beneath Elena's feet.
She stared at her reflection in the mirrored wall. Her face looked composed. Her lipstick was still perfect. Only her eyes betrayed her.
Alessandro Moretti's office was on the private security floor, three levels below the penthouse. Alessandro was Rafael's uncle and the family's oldest adviser. He had retired from daily operations two years earlier, but he still kept a private office inside the building.
Elena had been instructed to retrieve a small black box from his desk.
She stepped into the office and found the lights already on.
That was strange. Alessandro rarely came in after six.
The desk was immaculate except for a silver photograph frame lying face down. Beside it sat the black velvet box Vivienne had requested.
Elena reached for it.
Then she heard a voice from the adjoining room.
"Once the wedding is over, Rafael will have no reason to question the alliance."
It was Vivienne.
Elena froze.
A second voice answered. Alessandro.
"Rafael is not a fool. He will notice if the accounts change."
"He notices what he wants to notice. He's too busy playing the loyal son to understand what his father left behind."
Elena moved silently toward the open doorway.
Vivienne stood beside a filing cabinet, holding a glass of water. Alessandro sat behind a smaller desk, his expression troubled.
"Your father promised my family the eastern docks," Vivienne continued. "The wedding is supposed to finalize that arrangement. I want the transfer documents signed before the honeymoon."
"And if Rafael refuses?"
Vivienne smiled.
"Then we make sure he cannot refuse."
Alessandro looked up.
"Be careful. Rafael is not his father."
"No," Vivienne said. "He's more sentimental. That's why this will work."
Elena felt cold spread through her chest.
She backed away, but her heel touched a metal wastebasket.
The sound was small.
Both people turned.
"Who's there?" Alessandro demanded.
Elena stepped into view with the velvet box in her hands.
"Mr. Moretti asked me to retrieve this."
Vivienne's smile returned instantly.
"How convenient. You heard nothing important, did you?"
Elena looked at her.
"I heard you asking me to collect a gift."
"Good girl."
Alessandro's eyes moved to Elena's handbag.
For one brief second, his expression changed.
He recognized something.
Not the bag.
The small silver pendant hanging from its zipper.
Elena's father had given it to her on her sixteenth birthday. It was a simple compass, worn smooth at the edges. She had never taken it off.
Alessandro stood.
"Miss Brooks, may I see that pendant?"
Elena closed her hand around it.
"Why?"
"Because I believe I know where it came from."
Vivienne's smile disappeared.
"Alessandro, don't be ridiculous."
But the older man was no longer looking at her.
"Your father's name was Daniel Brooks, wasn't it?"
Elena nodded slowly.
Alessandro sat down again.
"Then you need to leave this building tonight."
"Why?"
He glanced toward Vivienne.
"Because your father died trying to keep a secret from the people who are now planning to become this family's rulers."
Elena's fingers tightened around the box.
"What secret?"
Alessandro opened his mouth.
Before he could answer, Vivienne stepped forward and shut the office door.
May you like
"That's enough," she said.
Her voice was no longer sweet.
