Chapter 14 - The Rescue That Changed Everything|
I woke in a hospital room with a headache and a bruise along my cheek.
Dante sat beside the bed, his hands clasped so tightly that his knuckles had turned white.
When he saw my eyes open, he stood.
"Clara."
"Victoria?"
"Alive. The bullet grazed her shoulder. She's in surgery recovery."
I tried to sit up.
Dante immediately reached forward, then stopped himself.
"May I help you?"
The question caught me off guard.
"Yes."
He adjusted the pillow behind my back.
"Where is my mother?"
"We have a location. Rebecca is coordinating with the authorities."
"Then we go."
"Not until the doctor clears you."
I stared at him.
He held my gaze for a moment, then stepped aside.
"I won't stop you from making your own decision. But I need you conscious when we get there."
I almost smiled.
"That sounded suspiciously reasonable."
"I'm trying something new."
The rescue began before dawn.
The estate belonged to Victoria's father, Charles Ashford, a wealthy financier who had spent decades cultivating politicians, judges, and business leaders.
Dante had assembled a team of trusted security officers, while Rebecca worked with an independent law enforcement contact who had agreed to review the evidence.
I insisted on joining them.
This time, Dante didn't argue.
We approached the estate from a service road. The house stood behind iron gates, surrounded by tall trees and carefully maintained gardens.
It looked peaceful.
That was the most frightening part.
We entered through a side entrance and moved through a corridor lined with family portraits.
A guard appeared at the end of the hall.
Dante disarmed him before he could raise his weapon.
I hurried toward the stairs.
"Clara, wait."
But I had already heard a familiar voice.
"Please. She has nothing to do with this."
My mother.
I found her in a locked study, her hands tied to the arms of a chair.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Then she whispered my name.
I fell to my knees beside her.
"Mom."
She touched my face with trembling fingers.
"You came."
"Of course I came."
Tears filled her eyes.
"I thought I had lost you."
"You don't get to disappear for years and decide that I'm the one who lost you."
The words came out harsher than I intended.
My mother lowered her head.
"I know."
I untied her hands.
"I need answers."
"You deserve them."
Before she could continue, Charles Ashford entered the room with two guards.
He looked annoyed rather than surprised.
"How touching."
Dante stepped into the doorway.
"Let them leave."
Charles smiled.
"You're in no position to negotiate, Dante. Adrian controls the trustees, the family accounts, and most of your security network. By tomorrow morning, your authority will be gone."
"Your daughter has already given us the evidence."
Charles's smile vanished.
"Victoria is a foolish girl."
"She is your daughter."
"And she has betrayed her family."
My mother rose unsteadily.
"You should know something, Charles. Adrian never intended to share power with you."
Charles looked at her.
"Be quiet."
"He plans to expose your financial crimes and blame everything on you. He has copies of the records showing you authorized the fraudulent debt scheme."
Charles's face turned pale.
Dante stepped forward.
"Put down your weapon."
One of the guards hesitated.
Charles spun toward him.
"Do what you're paid to do!"
The guard lowered his gun.
The second followed.
For the first time, Charles realized that money could not guarantee loyalty.
Authorities entered the estate moments later. Charles was arrested, and the evidence was secured.
I held my mother while the house filled with movement and shouted instructions.
She pressed her forehead against mine.
"There is something else you need to know," she whispered.
"What?"
"Gabriel survived the accident."
I froze.
"Where is he?"
My mother looked toward the darkened hallway.
"Adrian knows."
Then she took my hand and placed something cold in my palm.
A wedding ring.
May you like
Inside it was a tiny engraving.
GABRIEL MORETTI — ALIVE.
