Chapter 13 - THE NIGHT NOAH DISAPPEARED|
The attack happened on a Thursday afternoon.
Noah was playing in the garden with Grace while I was meeting Marco in the study.
One moment, I heard his laughter.
The next, I heard Grace scream.
I ran outside.
The garden gate stood open.
A security guard was unconscious near the driveway.
Noah's gray elephant lay in the grass.
Grace was kneeling beside it.
"Where is he?"
She looked up, terrified.
"They took him."
For a moment, I couldn't understand the words.
Then the world narrowed.
I ordered every available man to search the property.
Police units were contacted through my attorney. Cameras were checked. Roads were monitored.
Marco discovered that a black SUV had entered through the service entrance using an authorized security code.
The vehicle belonged to a company controlled by Vanessa's father.
I called him.
He answered after the second ring.
"Mr. Moretti."
"Where is my son?"
A quiet laugh came through the phone.
"Your son is safe."
"If you touch him, I will destroy everything you own."
"Then perhaps we should discuss the documents your wife left behind."
I gripped the phone.
"What do you want?"
"The original hospital recording. The guardianship petition. And your agreement to restore our business partnership."
"You kidnapped a three-year-old."
"I temporarily relocated a child whose future is in danger."
I ended the call.
Grace stood nearby, trembling.
I took her shoulders.
"We're bringing him home."
She nodded.
"Please, Luca. He's terrified of the dark."
I kissed her forehead.
Then I turned toward Marco.
"Find the vehicle."
Two hours later, we located the SUV at an abandoned property outside the city.
My men secured the perimeter.
I entered the building with Marco.
Inside, I found Noah sitting on a sofa, clutching a stranger's sleeve.
When he saw me, he screamed.
"Daddy!"
I ran to him.
He threw himself into my arms.
I held him so tightly that he began protesting.
"I'm here, buddy."
He buried his face against my neck.
"Where's Mommy Grace?"
I looked around.
Grace was standing behind me.
She rushed forward and wrapped both arms around him.
Noah began crying harder.
"Don't let bad people take me again."
Grace kissed his hair.
"Never, sweetheart."
I turned toward the man guarding the room.
He was bleeding from his nose.
"Who ordered this?"
He looked at me.
May you like
Then he gave me a name.
"Margaret Cole."
