Chapter 4
One More Missed Truth
Federal agents opened an inquiry into one of the De Luca shipping companies.
The estate went into temporary lockdown.
Elena was in the underground records room with her medical file when the security doors sealed.
She stood at the keypad and could not remember the six-digit code.
Her breathing became fast.
Dante’s voice came through the intercom.
“Elena, listen to me.”
He was in the security room.
“The code is your father’s birthday.”
“I do not remember it.”
Dante paused, then lowered his voice.
“That is fine. Find the red button on the left.”
“I cannot see it.”
“Stay with me. I am here.”
He guided her to the backup panel. He counted each breath with her until her hands stopped shaking.
Ten minutes later, the door opened.
Dante ran inside and pulled her into his arms.
“Why did you not tell me this was happening?”
Elena rested against his chest.
For the first time in months, she felt that he had chosen her.
She took the medical file from her bag.
“Dante, I need to tell you something.”
Marco’s voice came over Dante’s radio.
“Bianca left the safe house. She crossed into Russo territory.”
Dante did not release Elena.
“Send the nearest team.”
“She will not stop. She says she is going to her mother’s old apartment.”
“Send someone else for whatever she wants.”
“The Russo crew has spotted her vehicle.”
Dante shut his eyes.
“I am busy.”
It was the first time he had not left Elena at once.
Then Marco added one fact.
“She has no security detail.”
Dante’s arms loosened.
Elena stepped back.
“Go.”
“I can send someone.”
“You will not trust anyone else.”
He did not deny it.
Dante looked at the file in her hand.
“What were you going to tell me?”
Elena held the folder tighter.
This was the last time he asked on his own.
She could tell him. Perhaps it would change everything.
His body had already turned toward the door.
He was waiting for her to understand.
“It was nothing.”
Dante hesitated, then touched her hair.
“We will talk when I get back.”
“All right.”
He left.
Late that night, Dante brought Bianca back to the estate.
When he entered the bedroom, Elena was asleep.
A hospital envelope sat on the table.
He reached for it.
His phone rang again.
Bianca said she had woken from a nightmare.
Dante closed his eyes and declined the call.
It was the first time he had refused her.
He believed that counted as progress.
He did not know Elena had replaced the medical records with routine foundation papers before he entered.
The next morning, he did not ask again.
Twenty-one days until Elena forgot Dante completely.