Chapter 13 - THE MAN INSIDE THE SCHOOL
Silvio’s network did not disappear with his arrest.
One captain remained free.
Gabriele Marchetti.
Silvio’s nephew.
He blamed Damiano for the collapse of his family.
He also knew Mia represented the future of the Verrone trust.
Three months after the docks, Mia returned to school.
Damiano increased security without making the building look occupied by soldiers.
Two guards dressed as maintenance workers.
Rafael remained across the street.
A police liaison monitored the entrance.
Gabriele entered through the roof.
He wore a firefighter’s uniform.
He triggered a smoke alarm during afternoon classes.
Teachers led children into the hallway.
Mia remembered Sofia’s rule.
Notice exits.
She noticed the firefighter directing her class away from the main stairs.
His badge was upside down.
His boots were clean.
Real firefighters had entered through rain.
His were dry.
Mia stopped.
“That is not our exit.”
Gabriele smiled beneath the helmet.
“There is smoke downstairs.”
“I don’t smell smoke.”
Her teacher pulled Mia forward.
“Keep moving.”
Mia dropped her backpack.
The motion seemed childish.
Inside the bag was a panic button connected to Rafael.
Her foot pressed it.
Across the street, Rafael’s phone activated.
He entered the school before the false firefighter reached the service stairwell.
Gabriele grabbed Mia.
Children screamed.
He placed a gun against her side beneath his coat.
“Tell your guard to back away.”
Mia looked at Rafael.
He stood at the end of the hallway.
His weapon remained lowered.
“Let the other children go,” Mia said.
Gabriele tightened his grip.
“You do not give orders.”
“My daddy says contracts need terms.”
“This is not a contract.”
“Then you are only kidnapping me.”
Gabriele dragged her toward the stairs.
Mia continued speaking.
“If you want money, I have to be alive.”
“Be quiet.”
“If you want revenge, you need Daddy to see you.”
“Be quiet.”
“You are nervous.”
Gabriele struck her.
The sound echoed through the hallway.
Rafael’s expression changed.
Not visibly to anyone who did not know him.
Mia knew.
She had seen that stillness in Damiano.
The family kind of anger.
She deliberately dropped to the floor.
Gabriele lost his grip.
Rafael fired once.
The bullet struck Gabriele’s shoulder.
Teachers pulled Mia behind a classroom door.
Security officers surrounded the attacker.
When Damiano arrived, Mia sat inside the principal’s office holding an ice pack against her cheek.
He entered without speaking.
She looked up.
“I pressed the button.”
“I know.”
“I noticed his boots.”
“I know.”
“I talked first.”
Damiano knelt.
“You did everything right.”
Her face crumpled.
Only then did she begin crying.
He held her.
“I was scared.”
“Courage does not mean you were not scared.”
“What does it mean?”
“That you acted while you were scared.”
Mia pressed her face against his shoulder.
“Can we change schools?”
“Yes.”
“Can I still do the spring show?”
“If you want.”
She nodded.
“I want everyone to see I went back.”
Damiano closed his eyes.
She carried Isabella’s strength.
May you like
Sofia’s survival.
And something entirely her own.
