Chapter 4 - The Silver Watch
Celeste’s mouth opened, but no sound came out.
The smug confidence that had defined her all evening shattered into absolute terror.
Adrian slowly bent down. He picked up the silver pocket watch, his thumb grazing the intricate engraving of the Falcone crest on the back. It was charred on one edge—a physical scar from the car explosion seven years ago.
“I… I bought it,” Celeste stammered, backing away. “From a pawn shop, Adrian. I swear. I was going to give it to you as a wedding gift.”
Adrian clicked the watch open.
The glass face was cracked, the hands frozen forever at 11:42 PM—the exact time of Dominic’s death.
But it was what lay inside the cover that made Adrian’s breath hitch.
I was standing close enough to see it. Tucked behind the metal casing was a tiny, folded piece of parchment.
Adrian pulled it out with shaking fingers. He unfolded it.
I couldn’t read the words, but I saw the seal at the bottom. A crimson wax stamp of a double-headed eagle.
The Romano family crest.
“You didn’t buy this,” Adrian whispered, his eyes scanning the paper. “This is a receipt of payment. From the Romanos.”
The room erupted into chaos. The guests, mostly associates and family members, began shouting. Marcus and David drew their weapons, stepping between Adrian and the exits.
“Adrian, please!” Celeste screamed, tears ruining her perfect makeup. “They forced me! I had debts before I met you! The Romanos said if I didn’t give them Dominic’s location, they would kill my sister!”
June stepped forward, her small frame rigid with fury. “You sold him.”
“I didn’t know they were going to blow up the car!” Celeste sobbed, falling to her knees. “I thought they just wanted to talk to him! I swear, Adrian, I love you!”
Adrian looked at her, his face a mask of pure devastation. The woman he was about to marry was the reason his brother was dead.
“Lock her in the basement,” Adrian told his guards, his voice devoid of all emotion. “When the Romanos find out she failed, they’ll come for her. And I want to be the one to hand her over.”
Marcus grabbed Celeste by the arms, dragging her out of the dining room as she kicked and screamed.
The engagement dinner had turned into a nightmare.
Adrian slowly turned back to June.
“She was the mole,” Adrian said quietly. “Celeste was the one Dominic was running from.”
June nodded, weeping openly now.
“I’m sorry, Aunt June,” Adrian choked out, falling to his knees right there on the marble floor. He wrapped his arms around the old woman’s waist, burying his face in her faded blue dress. “I’m so sorry I doubted you.”
June stroked his hair, just like she must have done when he was a boy. “It’s okay, my sweet boy. It’s over now.”
“I want to see him,” Adrian begged, looking up. “Please, June. Let me see my nephew.”
June smiled through her tears. “He’s closer than you think, Adrian.”
She reached into her purse one last time.
She pulled out a small set of brass keys.
“I didn’t take the bus here tonight,” June said softly. “I drove.”
Adrian stood up, wiping his eyes. “You brought him?”
June nodded. “He’s asleep in my car. I was going to introduce you after the dinner. I thought… I thought it was finally time for him to come home.”
A rush of joy flooded Adrian’s face. For the first time in years, he looked alive.
“Lily,” Adrian said, turning to me. “Go with Marcus. Bring the boy inside. Use the private elevator.”
I nodded eagerly, my heart racing. I grabbed my master keycard and practically ran out the back doors.
I rushed through the staff exit, stepping out into the cold Chicago night. The driveway was lined with expensive luxury cars.
At the very end of the row was June’s beat-up old Honda Civic.
I jogged toward it, a smile forming on my lips. I couldn’t wait to see the little boy who was going to save this broken family.
But as I reached the car, my smile vanished.
The back window was shattered. Glass covered the pavement.
The backseat was empty.
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And resting on the driver’s seat was a single, black leather glove.
The Romanos had already been here.
