Chapter 9 - The Traitor’s Invitation
Rachel wanted to raid Black Harbor immediately.
Matteo stopped her.
“Aldo expects armed vehicles.”
“He will move the children or use them as shields.”
Rachel folded her arms.
“What do you suggest?”
“We let him believe Liana is coming alone.”
Liana answered before anyone could object.
“I’ll do it.”
Matteo shook his head.
“No.”
“He asked for the mother.”
“He wants me because he thinks Elena gave me something.”
“You have already buried one empty coffin because of him.”
“That is why I’m going.”
They built a transmitter into the heel of Liana’s shoe.
A second tracker was sewn beneath her uniform collar.
Dante gave her a small panic button disguised as the clasp of her locket.
“If you press it, we move immediately.”
Liana looked at him.
“Even if Samuel is in the room?”
“Especially then.”
Matteo placed the black ledger in a leather bag.
The real memory card remained with Rachel.
Every page in the bag was a high-quality copy.
At three-thirty in the morning, a black sedan stopped outside the estate gates.
Luca Bellandi sat in the back seat.
He opened the door and smiled at Liana.
“You look even more like her up close.”
Matteo watched from the security room as Liana entered the car.
Nico slept in his arms.
Before the vehicle pulled away, the baby woke and began reaching toward the monitor.
Liana’s face appeared on the screen.
Nico made a frightened sound.
Matteo kissed his forehead.
“She’s coming back.”
Nico stared at him.
“So is your mother.”
The sedan traveled east.
Federal vehicles followed from a distance with their lights off.
Luca poured himself a drink.
“Your sister caused a great deal of trouble.”
“You mean she survived.”
“I mean she forgot her place.”
Liana looked through the window.
“And what place is that?”
“Beside Matteo.”
“Smiling.”
“Silent.”
“Useful.”
Liana turned toward him.
“You don’t understand either of us.”
Luca smiled.
“I understand grief.”
“It makes people predictable.”
Liana thought of the empty coffin.
“No.”
“Grief only makes weak people predictable.”
May you like
The car entered an underground tunnel beneath the harbor.
Liana’s tracking signal disappeared.
