Chapter 4 - Shadows in the East Wing
The move from the humble servants’ quarters in the west wing to the opulence of the east wing happened before sunrise.
By 6:00 AM, Pauline Reed, the head housekeeper, was standing in the corridor of the east wing with a look of utter bewilderment on her face. Two suit-wearing guards carried Elena’s single brown suitcase and Mia’s small plastic tub of toys into Suite 202—a sprawling set of rooms featuring velvet sofas, a private balcony, and a king-sized canopy bed.
“I don't understand, Mr. Moretti,” Pauline stammered as Alessandro walked down the hall inspecting the setup. “Miss Carter hasn't even finished her probationary month. Moving a maid to the family quarters—”
“Pauline,” Alessandro interrupted, his hands clasped behind his back. He didn't even turn to look at her. “Do you enjoy your employment here?”
Pauline swallowed hard. “Yes, sir. Of course.”
“Then you will treat Miss Carter and her daughter as honored guests of this house,” Alessandro said coldly. “If I hear a single whisper of disrespect from the staff, you will all be replaced by nightfall. Am I clear?”
“Perfectly clear, Mr. Moretti,” Pauline squeaked, bowing her head and retreating down the hall as fast as her sensible shoes could carry her.
Inside the suite, Mia was jumping up and down on the soft plush carpet, holding Mabel high in the air.
“Mommy! Look! The floor is like a giant bear!” Mia giggled, falling face-first into the soft ivory rug.
Elena stood in the center of the grand room, feeling completely out of place. She wore her faded jeans and a simple cotton sweater, looking like an intruder in a museum.
A knock at the open door made her turn.
Alessandro stood on the threshold. He had discarded his suit jacket, wearing only a crisp white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, revealing dark tattoos that snaked down his skin.
In his hands, he held a long, rectangular box wrapped in dark blue velvet.
Mia stopped jumping. She looked up at the tall man, her wide brown eyes full of curious wonder. She didn't shrink back. She didn't run behind her mother. She simply held Mabel tightly against her chest and stared.
Alessandro slowly lowered himself onto one knee, ignoring the dirt that might ruin his tailored pants. He placed the velvet box on the floor between them.
“Hello, Mia,” Alessandro said, keeping his voice gentle, lowering his booming tone to a soft murmur.
“Hi, tall man,” Mia replied innocently.
Elena gasped softly. “Mia, be polite—”
Alessandro raised a single hand, chuckling softly. “It’s fine. I am tall.” He looked back at the toddler. “I watched you on my magic screen last night, Mia.”
Mia’s eyebrows furrowed. “The magic screen?”
“Yes. I saw you visit baby Sophia.” Alessandro pointed to the box on the floor. “You brought her Mabel.”
Mia nodded solemnly. “Sophia was sad. Her tummy felt like dark clouds.”
Alessandro felt a lump form in his throat. Dark clouds. He knew exactly what those clouds were—the heavy, suffocating grief that hung over this mansion like a shroud.
“Well,” Alessandro said, opening the velvet box. Inside lay a tiny, hand-carved mahogany bed lined with soft pink silk, complete with a microscopic lace pillow. “Mabel works very hard keeping babies safe. I thought she deserved a bed of her own.”
Mia’s mouth fell open in total shock. She dropped onto her hands and knees and crawled over to the box, her eyes wide with absolute joy.
She picked up the tiny bed, admiring the soft silk. Then she carefully tucked Mabel into it, fitting the lopsided, one-eared rabbit perfectly onto the lace pillow.
Mia looked up at the feared mafia king, her little face glowing. “You made a house for Mabel?”
“I did,” Alessandro admitted softly.
Without warning, Mia threw her small arms around Alessandro’s neck, hugging his massive shoulder with all her tiny might. “Thank you, tall man!”
Alessandro froze. For three years, no one had touched him without trembling. No one hugged him. No one showed him unearned affection. His arms hovered awkwardly in the air for a second before he gently placed his hand on the back of the little girl’s head, resting his cheek against her curls.
Across the room, Elena watched the scene unfold, tears blurring her vision. For the first time in seven months, the heavy, suffocating knot of fear in her stomach began to loosen.
Suddenly, Richard Hale stepped into the doorway, his face pale and tense. He looked at Alessandro, his eyes darting toward Elena with urgent concern.
“Boss,” Richard said quietly. “We have a problem at the front gate.”
Alessandro’s gentle demeanor vanished in an instant. He stood up, his dark eyes instantly morphing back into cold, unforgiving steel.
“What is it?” Alessandro demanded.
Richard pulled a small black tablet from his coat and held it out. “A private investigator just tried to bribe the gate guards. He was carrying a file with photos.”
May you like
Richard looked directly at Elena.
“Photos of Elena and Mia.”
