Chapter 52- Behind Glass
Lucia The villa rose from manicured grounds like something from an old Italian movie all elegant stonework and careful grandeur masked as casual wealth. Through the tinted windows of Marco’s houry SUV, I studied the sprawling estate while my mind cataloged details with practiced
precision.
Three stories of historic architecture recently renovated. Seruny camer
cameras disguised as decorative fixtures. Guards positioned with professional.
efficiency at key points. This wasn’t just some safe house-this was a fortress dressed in old world turn
“Welcome to Villa Rosa, Marco’s voice carried that dangerous pleasantness as we pulled into a circular drive. Tat you’ll find the
accommmeslations,, Murable”
They’d le
me keep my
I didn’t bother responding. Forry ministes of careful driving through back roads hul brought us here – wherever here phone but disabled it somehow, the screen showing only the time. No GPS, no signals, no way to alert anyone in my location.
Not that I could risk sending warnings anyway. Not with those surveilaner feeds still active, showing my family going about their lives unaware they were being warcheid. Being targeted.
The mterior matched the exteriors careful Liesie – priceless art lung on silk-covered walls while antique furnishings createid an atmosphere of
med sophistication. But I noted the reinforced windows, the subtle security measures, the way every room had multiple exits while maintaining clear lines of sight
This place was designed for power plays,
“Your room awaits, cara Marco gestured toward a sweeping staircase,
e, his smile all teetlu. “I trust you’ll be comfortable while we arrange certain
details.”
“Don’t call me that.” Het in corrach word despite my precarious position. I’m not your anything.”
His laugh held genuine ansisemem as his men “escorted me upward. “Such spirit. I can see why perhaps chose’ is the wrong word given those contract term.
by Dante chose you for his latest acquisition. Though
I hit back the retort burning my longue. Arguing would only give him satisfaction and potentially endanger the people I was trying to protect.
The monsthey led me to was beautiful, us that carefully calculated way that matched everything else about this place. A queen sized bed draped in silk liens Antique furnishings that probably cost more than most cars. Floor to ceiling windows offering stunning views of immaculately landscaped gardens
All of it a gilded sage.
“Make yourself comfortable,” Marco purred as his men positioned themselves outside my dear. “We’ll have much to discuss soon.”
The lock engaged with a soft click that somehow sounded like finality.
1 waited until his footsteps Ended before beginning my assessment. The windows were bulletproof and electronically sealed – no surprise there. The elegant vanity comtalied expensive cosmetics but nothing that could serve as a weapon. Even the seemingly vintage lamps had been carefully chosen to prevent dismantling
They’d done this before.
Movement caught my eye a slight shimmer in what I’d initially taken for a decorative wall panel. I moved closer, studying the surface with growing understanding. One-way glass, expertly installed to be almost invisible unless you knew what to look for
The room beyond came into focus as my eyes adjusted. Another sitting room, this one dominated by heavy masculine furniture and what looked like a private bar. A man stood at the windows, his stance radiating familiar authority even from behind.
My heart stopped.
Vincent Romano Dante’s uncle, his father’s cousin, and one of the family’s most powerful captains. Ed seen him at social events but never up close,
Never like this.
He turned slightly, giving me a clear view of his profile. The Romano features were strong in his face same aristocratic nose, same sharp jawline. But where Dante’s expressions camed carefully controlled heat, hus unde’s face held something colder..
What was he doing here?
The door to his room opened, and another figure entered. My breath caught as Dame strode in his movements carrying that lethal grace Td memorized over months of careful observation. Even through the glass. I could read the tension in his shoulders, the carefully contained fury in his
They spoke, but the glass muffled their words into indistinct mura
murmurs. Vincent poured drinks with practiced hospitality while Dante remained standing, his body coiled like a predator’s despite his perfect political polish.
Why was he here! Had Marco arranged this meeting? Was this whole elaborate setup just to get Dante to this specific place at this specific time? Understanding hovered just out of reach as I watched the scene unfold. Vincent gestured expansively while speaking, his movements carrying that same calculated charm td learned to recognize in Dante. But something felt wrong about it like watching a poor copy of a masterpiece.
Dante’s responses seemed chipped, controlled even by his standards. Has hands stayed at his vicles instead of accepting the offered drink, and though I couldn’t hear his words, I could read danger in every line of his body.
He didn’t want to be here.
1004
Chapter 52 Behind Glass
So why had he comet
The glass prevented me from catching their conversation, but I could read the power dynamics playing out in that room. Vincent trying to maintain the appearance of family warmth while Dante’s careful distance suggested anything but casual connection.
What game was Marco playing? Why arrange for me to witness this particular meeting)
Movement in the hallway beyond them caught my attention more of Marco’s men taking positions with professional efficiency. This wasn’t just a family discussion. This was something else entirely.
My mind raced through possibilities as I watched Dante check his phone for the thard time in as many minutes. Was he looking for met Had he noticed my absence yet? Or was he here for other reasons- reasons that Maren wanted me to witness through this carefully positioned glass!
Vincent’s p
‘s gestures grew more animated as he spoke, but Dante’s p posture remained rigid. Whatever this conversation was about, it wasn’t going well.
A soft knock at my door made me spin around. One of Marco’s men entered carrying a silver tray with what looked like tea service. The domestic gesture felt absurd given the circumstances.
“The boss thought you might want refreshments,” he said with care ful professionalism. “Whär you…observe.”
“How thoughtful,” 1 kept my voice arctic “Does he often arrange such elaborate performances for las guests?”
The guard’s face remained carefully blank as he set down the tray. “Just following orders, ma’am,”
“And those orders include making sure I watch whatever is about to happen in that room!”
No response, but his eyes flickered to the glass briefly before he retreated. The door locked again with that soft click that felt increasingly ominoux.
Through the glass, I watched Dante check his phone again. The movement drew iny attention to his suit jacket the precise way it fell, suggesting he was armed despite this supposedly peaceful humily meeting.
He’d come prepared for trouble.
But what kind of trouble required arranging for me to witness it?
mon
Vincent was still talking, his hands moving in expansive gestures thus remunded me of a conducior leading in orchester. Bui Dante Jud gone. ⠀⠀ perfectly still – that dangerom villness that meant violence hovered just bencarli his careful control.
The temperature hi ny room seeined to drop as possibilities crystalized into sharp focus. Marco’s careful manipulations. The contracts appearing in
Dante’s office. The surveillance of my family. This elaborate setup with its one-way glass and strategically positioned witnesses
This wasn’t just about power plays or political manipulation.
This was about making me watch something
But what?
Movement in the hallway again more of Marco’s men taking positions with lethal grace. Vincent’ gestures grew broader, more theatrical, like an actor reaching lus dramatic climax.
And Dante… Dante had gone absolutely still.
The kind of stillness that preceded explosions..
I pressed closer to the glass, trying to catch any hint of their words. Trying to understand what game was being played and why I needed to see it.
The tea service sat emtouched behind me, steam rising in delicate curls that seemed to mock the tension coiling through my body. Everything in this place was carefully arranged – the room, the glass, my position as witness to whatever was about to unfold.
Marco wanted me to see something specific
Thut whatt
