Chapter 2 - The Maid's Secret
The news of Isabella Vance's quiet removal from the Romano estate did not leak to the newspapers, but within the dark, hidden channels of Rhode Island's underworld, the shockwave was immediate.
By noon, three high-ranking lieutenants had arrived at the mansion, their heavy cars parked along the winding, iron-fenced driveway of Federal Hill. In the private library upstairs, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling shelves of leather-bound books and heavy oak paneling, Allessandro sat behind his desk.
Dr. Arnaldi, a lean, white-haired physician who had served the Romano family for thirty years, set a small glass vial on the blotter.
"Thallium sulfate," the doctor said dryly, leaning on his silver-topped cane. "Colorless, odorless, tasteless. Mixed into the butter, it would have taken three to four days to produce severe symptoms — stomach pain, hair loss, neurological failure. By the time you died of heart arrest, Allessandro, no ordinary coroner would have suspected foul play. They would have called it a sudden viral infection or a weak heart."
Marco, standing by the window with a lit cigarette between his fingers, spat into the fireplace. "That cold-blooded witch. Her father, Julian Vance, has been angling to consolidate the harbor bank accounts for six months. If Allessandro died after the wedding, the estate would have gone into probate, and Isabella would have claimed executive control of the shipping terminals."
Allessandro didn't speak. He picked up the tiny glass vial, looking at the clear liquid inside. "Where is Maria?" he asked suddenly.
Marco blinked. "Maria? The maid? She’s downstairs in the kitchen, boss. She’s terrified out of her mind. She thinks you’re going to throw her and Emma out because of what happened."
"Bring her up," Allessandro said.
"Boss," one of the other lieutenants, a thick-necked man named Paulie, spoke up from the leather sofa. "We need to deal with the Vance family first. Julian Vance is already calling the docks asking why his daughter’s car is still parked in our courtyard. We need to strike before they realize we know."
"I will handle Julian Vance when I am ready," Allessandro said, his dark eyes flashing with a cold warning that made Paulie immediately close his mouth. "Bring Maria here. Now."
Five minutes later, the heavy oak door of the library opened.
Maria Rossi walked into the room, her shoulders hunched, her hands clasped tightly over her white linen apron. She was twenty-eight years old, though hard work and grief had carved faint lines around her soft brown eyes. She was a pretty woman in a quiet, fragile way — dark wavy hair pulled back into a simple knot at the nape of her neck, wearing a dark gray uniform that was clean but patched at the elbows.
Behind her, holding onto her apron skirt with both hands, was Emma. The small girl peeked out from behind her mother's dress, her wide dark eyes instantly searching for Allessandro.
When Maria saw the four powerful men standing in the room, her face turned pale as linen. She immediately dropped into a low, desperate half-curtsy.
"Mr. Romano," Maria’s voice trembled like a dry leaf in the wind. "Please... please forgive us. I didn't know Emma was upstairs this morning. I told her to stay in the kitchen... she didn't mean to cause trouble, sir. If... if we have to leave, we will go quietly. Just please... don't hurt my girl."
Allessandro looked at the woman. He stood up from his desk and walked around the heavy oak furniture. The three lieutenants stepped back respectfully, clearing a path.
"Maria," Allessandro said, stopping a few feet away from her. "How long have you worked in this house?"
"Two... two years, Mr. Romano," she stammered, keeping her eyes fixed on his polished leather boots. "Since my husband passed away in the foundry accident."
"And in those two years," Allessandro continued, "have I ever spoken to you?"
"No, sir. Only through Mrs. Gable, the housekeeper."
"Then hear me now," Allessandro said clearly. "Your daughter did not cause trouble today. Your daughter saved my life. Isabella Vance attempted to put poison in my breakfast. Emma saw her last night, and she had the courage to tell me the truth when no one else in this city would have dared."
Maria’s breath caught in her throat. She looked down at her small daughter in absolute horror, then back up at Allessandro. "Poison...? Miss Isabella...?"
"Yes," Allessandro said. He looked down at Emma. A faint, soft light appeared in his dark eyes. "Emma, come here."
The small girl looked up at her mother, who gave her a trembling nod. Emma let go of her mother’s apron and took three hesitant steps toward the tall man in the dark suit.
Allessandro reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, heavy object. It was an antique gold pocket watch, suspended from a thick gold chain — an heirloom that had belonged to his grandfather, engraved with the lion crest of the Romano family.
He knelt down again, taking Emma's tiny, soft hand in his own broad palm. He placed the heavy gold watch into her fingers and closed her hand around it.
"This belonged to the man who built this house," Allessandro said softly. "From this day on, Emma, as long as I breathe, no one in this city will ever threaten you, your mother, or your home. Do you understand me?"
Emma looked down at the bright, heavy gold in her palm, then up at his face. "Is it a magic watch, sir?"
Allessandro let out a soft, low chuckle — a sound Maria had never heard him make in two years of living under his roof.
"It is better than magic, little one," Allessandro said. "It means you are under my protection."
He stood up, turning his gaze to Maria. The softness vanished instantly, replaced by the formidable aura of the Romano patriarch.
"Maria," Allessandro said. "You will move your things out of the basement quarters today. The corner suite on the second floor — the one with the balcony overlooking the garden — is yours."
Maria gasped, covering her mouth with both hands. "Mr. Romano... no... that is for guests... I am only a cleaning woman—"
"You are no longer a cleaning woman in this house," Allessandro declared, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You are the mother of the girl who saved my life. You will be provided with a monthly allowance, fine clothes, and Emma will be enrolled in the Academy of the Sacred Heart in the spring."
"Sir..." Maria began to weep, tears of pure shock and overwhelming relief flooding her face. She dropped to her knees, taking his hand to press it against her forehead. "May God bless you, Mr. Romano... may God bless you..."
Allessandro gently pulled his hand back and helped her to her feet. "Do not kneel to me, Maria. We have work to do."
May you like
He turned to Marco. The coldness in his eyes could have frozen an ocean.
"Call Julian Vance," Allessandro ordered. "Tell him I am inviting him to dinner tonight. Tell him his daughter has prepared something very special for us to share."
