Chapter 3 - THE WATCH AND THE WILL
The heavy silver pocket watch dangled from Maggie’s trembling fingers.
The ballroom erupted into chaotic whispers. Luca’s father, the ruthless Don Vincenzo Romano, had died three years ago. He had always claimed Luca was his only heir.
Luca stared at the watch. I saw the muscles in his jaw clench so tightly I thought they might shatter.
“My father had no daughters,” Luca said, his voice devoid of emotion.
“He didn't want one,” Maggie replied, lowering her arm. “He wanted leverage. He knew your enemies would eventually try to use your mother against him. So he took me. He raised me in a safehouse in Ohio. He told me I was his blood. He told me my real mother threw me away.”
Answer One: Vincenzo Romano orchestrated the kidnapping to create a secret, disposable heir or leverage pawn.
I stood up, my legs barely supporting my weight. I looked at Celeste’s mother, who was shivering near the fireplace.
“You knew,” I accused her, pointing a shaking finger. “You told me she was taken from the fire. You were the one who took her.”
Celeste’s mother broke down sobbing. “Vincenzo ordered it! He told me to burn the apartment and bring the girl. I didn't want to! But my husband owed him money. He would have killed us all!”
Open Two: If Vincenzo ordered the fire, why did Celeste have the locket? And why did Maggie come back tonight?
Celeste grabbed her mother’s arm, her beautiful face twisted in ugly panic. “Shut up, Mother! You’re ruining my wedding!”
“There is no wedding,” Luca said.
He didn't shout. He didn't raise his voice. But the absolute finality in those four words made Celeste freeze.
“Luca, darling, please,” Celeste begged, reaching for him. “My mother was forced! I only wore the locket because I found it in her jewelry box. I thought it was pretty. I didn't know!”
The reversal was staggering. Celeste wasn't the mastermind. She was a vain, shallow woman wearing a tragedy around her neck for fashion. The true monster was the man whose mansion I had been cleaning for seven years.
Luca turned to his head of security. “Escort Celeste and her mother off the property. Cancel the caterers. Send the guests home.”
“You can’t do this to me!” Celeste screamed as the guards grabbed her arms. “I’m a Vale!”
Luca ignored her. He walked toward Maggie. He stopped three feet away, staring down at the young woman who shared none of his blood, but carried all of his father’s sins.
“Why did you come here tonight?” Luca asked.
Maggie took a deep breath. She unlatched the back of the silver pocket watch. A small, folded piece of paper slipped out into her palm.
“Because Vincenzo died three years ago,” Maggie said. “And his men stopped bringing me money last week. They told me I wasn't needed anymore. They told me to disappear.”
She handed the paper to Luca.
“I didn't come for money,” Maggie said softly. “I came because before Vincenzo died, he told me that if anything ever happened to him, this piece of paper would protect me. He said it was his final will.”
Luca unfolded the paper. He read it in silence.
As he read, the color completely drained from his face.
He looked up at me, his eyes filled with a terrifying, profound sorrow.
“Eleanor,” Luca whispered. “Pack your things. You and Maggie need to leave Chicago tonight.”
“Why?” I demanded, stepping between him and my daughter.
Luca held up the paper.
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“Because this isn't a will,” Luca said grimly. “It’s a hit list. And Maggie’s name is at the top.”
TITLE: The Little Boy in the Coat
