24 The Mafia Boss’s Fiancée Said His Loyal Dog Ran Away—Then the Maid’s Toddler Whispered, “They Took Him,” and One Tiny Clue Exposed His Own House

The study was silent except for the heavy ticking of the grandfather clock. Vivienne was crying quietly on the velvet sofa, but Adrian felt no pity for her. He had brought her into his life thinking she was a suitable match—a quiet, cultured woman from an established family. Instead, she had acted as a trojan horse for her father’s desperate greed.

"Marco," Adrian commanded without turning around. "Put Miss Romano in the guest suite on the top floor. Remove her phone, her laptop, and lock the door from the outside. Place two guards at the landing."

"Adrian! No! You can't lock me up!" Vivienne shrieked, scrambling to her feet. "My father will know!"

"I want him to know," Adrian said, his voice flat. "Marco, if she tries to scream or break a window, sedate her."

Marco grabbed Vivienne’s arm firmly, ignoring her frantic kicks and screams as he dragged her out of the study and up the grand staircase.

Once the hallway was quiet again, Adrian walked back toward the kitchen. He found Clara standing near the sink, trembling as she washed dishes. Lily was sitting at the wooden island, drawing on a piece of paper with a blue crayon.

Adrian approached the island and sat down on a stool beside the child. He looked down at her drawing. It was a crude sketch of a giant black dog with big floppy ears, standing beside a small girl holding a ribbon.

"Lily," Adrian said gently.

The little girl looked up, her dark eyes wide and clear. "Is Bruno coming back?"

"I'm going to bring him back," Adrian promised. "Can you tell me anything else about the men in the black car? Did you see what they looked like?"

Lily sucked on her thumb for a moment, thinking hard. "One man had a big scar on his neck," she whispered. "Like a snake. He smelled like bad cigarettes. He hit Bruno because Bruno growled."

Adrian’s fists clenched under the table. The man with the snake scar was Valerio—Hector Romano’s primary enforcer. A cruel, sadistic man who enjoyed inflicting pain. The thought of Valerio touching Bruno made a terrifying rage boil inside Adrian’s chest.

"Thank you, Lily," Adrian said, touching her curly head softly. He looked up at Clara. "Pack your bags. You and Lily are going to my penthouse in Manhattan tonight. It's safe there. My men will escort you."

"Mr. Moretti, I'm so sorry I didn't speak up earlier," Clara wept, wiping her hands on her apron. "Miss Vivienne threatened to fire me and have me thrown out on the street if I said anything!"

"You don't need to apologize, Clara. You protected your daughter. But now, I am going to protect this family."

Adrian stood up and walked to his private armory behind the study’s hidden bookcase. He unlocked the heavy steel door, revealing racks of high-caliber rifles, tactical vests, and specialized gear. He didn't plan on waiting twenty-four hours.

He pulled out his satellite phone and dialed a secure line.