Chapter 2

The smell of disinfectant mixed faintly with gunpowder—a scent that used to cling to Lucas and his men, now only a memory for Elvira.

The room was luxurious, like a hotel suite—this was the Rossi family's private hospital. But no opulence could the fact she'd been abandoned.

"Just rest well in the hospital. Don't bother with gifts for us," Lucas had said.

Just then, Lucas's satellite phone rang with Chloe's ringtone.

He answered immediately, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "Coordinates? On my way."

He glanced at Elvira. "Urgent 'business'. Rest."

His desire to get to Chloe must have been too strong; he didn't even realize how flimsy his lie was. What 'client' warranted that ringtone?

Sophia had already behind Lucas the moment he stood.

"Mama, I want to go with Papa. I'm a Rossi princess. I should be there to learn."

It hit Elvira then: they hadn't been listening to her at all. Staring at their phones, just waiting for her call.

Elvira lowered her eyes and gave a soft, "Mmm."

Even when they came from Chloe's place to the hospital, their hearts were still with her.

Elvira's fingers turned to ice.

They left her fighting for her life to go on a 'clean-up'. Sophia, her six-year-old daughter, wasn't just present but was being molded by Chloe into a 'brave' participant.

A cold hand squeezed her heart.

She remembered a month ago, when Chloe returned. Her first visit was to the Rossi estate.

That day, Sophia's eyes had shone with an unsettling light as she stared at the serpent-shaped ring on Chloe's finger, symbolizing the Viti family's power.

"Mama," Sophia had said later, "Aunt Chloe says Rossi women can't just arrange flowers and play piano. We need to understand the 'business', like her, to help Papa."

Elvira had dismissed it then. Now she saw it for what it was: Chloe's declaration of war.

And she, the nominal Don's wife, was still lost in a dream of domestic bliss.

They hadn't answered, but she'd gotten the answer she needed.

"Signor Alberto," Elvira dialed the family's chief legal counsel. "Please draft a divorce agreement for me."

A pause on the other end.

"Signora, are you certain? This involves..."

"I'm certain," Elvira cut him off. "I voluntarily relinquish custody of Sophia Rossi. I want nothing from the Rossi family assets, trust funds, jewelry, or properties under my name. I only want my freedom."

"Understood, Signora. The agreement will be sent via secure channels. But... Don Rossi..."

"He will sign it."

Elvira looked out at the blinding Sicilian sun.

"Or, he will soon receive a 'gift' he cannot refuse."