10. Massimo
Chapter 10
Massimo
" W hat?" I snap, anger flooding my voice. "How many intruders are there?"
Adrian glances around the room, his eyes scanning the faces of our family members before pulling me aside, away from everyone. His grip on my arm tightens.
"It's just one person," he mutters, his voice low. "We caught them on the security cameras sneaking around the back. We don't know where they are now, but the guards are searching. I think they're inside the lodge somewhere."
"How the hell did they get inside?" I demand, my heart pounding with the weight of the situation.
Adrian's gaze hardens, flickering toward Vera.
"The only way they could've gotten in is if someone let them in." He narrows his eyes at her.
"A little suspicious, don't you think, that she's out of her cage the same night someone manages to break into our secure lodge?"
"Leave her alone," I snarl, cutting him off. "I said I vouched for her. You're going to have to trust me on this, Adrian. Now find out where this intruder is—and who the hell let them into our safe haven. The entire family is here."
I lower my voice, my tone harsh. "Make sure there's a guard stationed at Bella's bedside. Then get to the bottom of this."
Adrian nods, his eyes still heated towards Vera. "I will find out what happened." He warns her before he rushes off.
I clench my jaw tightly. "We need to find them before they hurt anyone," I say under my breath.
I turn towards Vera. "I think I need to find Elio."
Her eyes grow wide for a second, relief washing through her.
I am not telling her that I believe her accusations, but I think she is just happy to know I am willing to investigate my own cousin.
There are too many things pointing toward him, and I can't ignore them anymore.
I hurry up the stairs with Vera close behind me.
I don't want to alert my entire family and create absolute chaos and panic throughout the lodge if there is only one person infiltrating us. I'd rather catch them - and whoever let them in - and deal with it quietly.
I have enough security on the premises to keep my family safe. This is something that would never have happened if someone inside here had not helped them get in.
I understand Adrian's concern about Vera—he's never been one to trust easily—but my instincts don't point to her. And if there's one thing I've learned, it's to trust my instincts.
I knock once on Elio's door and then shove it open. The room is empty. Not a single sign of him. My frustration flares.
"He's not here," I mutter.
Vera steps in behind me, her brow furrowing.
"I saw him coming up here a few moments ago," she insists.
Without hesitation, she rushes to the bed, dropping to her knees. She checks underneath and gasps in horror.
"It's gone," she whispers, her voice trembling. "The book—it was here?—"
I shake my head, moving toward the door.
"It doesn't matter right now. Let's find him. If he's involved, he might lead us to the person who broke in."
She bites at her lower lip, glancing under the bed one more time, finding nothing. She jumps to her feet and hurries after me as I leave the room.
Going downstairs we find Adrian rushing upstairs. "I can't find Elio." He mutters in annoyance.
"We were just in his room," I say. "He isn't there."
"I want him to help me with the search, but then I just ended up searching for him as well." He shakes his head.
"Keep looking and keep me informed," I say, grabbing Vera's arm and pulling her along with me as I continue down the stairs.
Elio is my brother's best friend. I don't know how he will take the news if I try and explain to him that I think he is the one who let the intruder inside.
There is nothing in the world that my brother cares about more than he cares about his family.
I pull Vera out into the garden, away from where the family can see us through the big living room windows. We run around the side of the house and come skidding to a halt as I see a figure rushing past one of the lights against the far side of the security fence.
"There," I whisper, pointing.
Vera leans close to the wall, near the corner, just behind me, peering into the darkness.
"I don't see anything." She whispers.
We both jump a little when whispered voices come from the other side of the corner we are hiding behind.
"All the guards are on high alert. You need to leave." Elio hisses.
"Fuck that. Do you know how hard it was to get in here - even with your help."
I recognize that voice. Tano Vitale. One of the lower cousins in the Vitale ranking. A messenger. What the fuck is he doing at my lodge - and what the fuck is he doing talking to Elio?
My heart is beating so fast that I feel nauseous.
I'm torn between jumping out from behind the wall and waiting to hear what they say. I choose to wait. Knowledge is power and the more I have the better it will be when I need to take Elio down.
"Just tell Dante that Vera isn't exiled anymore. And I know she's looking for the kid. And tell him tonight is too hot to do what we planned. You triggered the security systems. There is no element of surprise anymore."
"He's not going to be happy about any of this."
"I fucking know that. Keep the kid hidden for fuck's sake. I'll be in touch with him." Elio snaps angrily. "I have to go. I can't be seen with you. Get the fuck out of here."
The kid.
Vera was right.
Our son is still alive. It's the only possible kid they could be worried about.
For a moment I can't move. Complete horror spins through me as I process the truth of what they've said and everything that it means. Where is my son? Where has he been all these years?
Vera's fingers dig into my arm, sharp and painful, pulling me out of my frozen state.
I glance at her then step out from behind the corner - glaring directly at Elio and the Vitale rat.
"Elio!"
He bolts. Full speed he runs towards the back gate with the Vitale spy right in front of him, faster and nimbler.