Chapter 5 - Whispers of Treason
The betrayal struck Adriano like a physical blow. The very people inside his home, sharing his table, had ordered the murder of the man who saved his life—and had then manipulated Rebecca into becoming a servant in his house as a cruel form of containment.
"Where is Marcus?" Adriano’s voice was lethal, a quiet snarl that made even Luca stiffen.
"He just entered the estate through the north gate, boss. He has six of his top enforcers with him. He claims it's for an emergency syndicate meeting, but our perimeter sensors show extra vehicles staging down the road."
Adriano turned to Rebecca, grabbing her hands with urgency. "Take Clementine. Go to the panic room behind the library. Do not open the door for anyone except me or Luca. Do you understand?"
Panic flared in Rebecca’s chest. She held onto his arm tightly. "Adriano, no! What are you going to do? Marcus has men with him—"
"I am going to finish what should have been done three years ago," Adriano said softly, cupping her cheek with his hand. "Trust me, Rebecca."
Before she could answer, the heavy front doors of the mansion burst open downstairs. Marcus Vane walked into the grand foyer, flanked by armed men, his expression arrogant and devoid of his usual polite demeanor. Behind him walked Genevieve, a victorious smile playing on her lips.
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"Adriano!" Marcus’s voice echoed up the grand staircase. "We need to talk about the future of the Falcone family!"
Rebecca grabbed Clementine and sprinted toward the library, her heart hammering against her ribs. She locked the heavy mahogany door and hit the secret switch behind the bookshelf, retreating into the reinforced panic room just as the sound of raised voices shattered the quiet of the estate.
