Chapter 13
Salvatore did not call the estate.
He did not warn anyone.
That was Elena’s idea.
“If the traitor thinks you found me, he’ll move.”
So Salvatore returned as though the hunting cellar had been empty.
Anthony came with him.
Matteo stayed with Elena and Domenic.
At the estate, Hattie immediately searched Salvatore’s face for an answer.
He gave her nothing.
“Did you find the cellar?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“And?”
“Empty.”
Relief passed through her too quickly.
Salvatore noticed.
So did Anthony.
They waited.
An hour.
Then two.
Finally the traitor moved.
Salvatore’s security chief, Raymond Cole, entered the nursery corridor carrying a travel bag.
He had no reason to be there.
Ella was asleep.
Two hidden Carbone guards watched him open a service door behind the linen alcove.
He was preparing a route out.
With Ella.
Salvatore stepped into the corridor.
Raymond froze.
For fifteen years, the man had protected Carbone rooms, escorted Adelaide, carried Ella when she fell asleep after family dinners.
Now his hand tightened around the bag.
“Boss.”
“What’s inside?”
“Emergency supplies.”
“For a sleeping child?”
Raymond looked toward the stairwell.
Anthony appeared there.
No exit.
Salvatore approached slowly.
“Hattie gave you Ella’s schedule.”
Raymond said nothing.
“She gave you access to Elena’s rooms.”
Silence.
“She told you when I would be gone.”
Raymond’s expression finally changed.
Not guilt.
Resentment.
“You were going to ruin everything.”
Salvatore almost smiled.
“My wife said the same thing about Hattie’s people.”
Raymond’s eyes sharpened.
That was confirmation.
“She’s alive,” Salvatore said.
Raymond moved.
Anthony reached him first.
Seconds later Raymond was on the floor, the travel bag torn open beside him.
Inside were clothes.
Water.
Ella’s medicine.
And one small stuffed bear.
Everything needed to remove a three-year-old from the estate quietly.
Salvatore looked down at the man.
“Where were you taking my daughter?”
Raymond laughed through blood on his lip.
“Where Hattie would become the only person who could bring her back.”
The final piece clicked into place.
May you like
Hattie had planned another rescue.
Just like every predator who creates the danger they later offer to solve.
