Chapter 7 - THE GOLD BRACELET
The massive iron gates of the Moretti estate closed behind them, shutting out the storm and the horrors of the night.
Luca carried Elizabeth inside himself, refusing to let the staff assist. He laid the frail woman in one of the luxury guest suites on the ground floor, immediately calling his private concierge doctor to attend to her.
Madison walked beside him, holding little Leo’s hand.
The boy was exhausted, clutching a small stuffed bear Daniel had bought him at a gas station.
“Take him to my room,” Luca told Madison quietly. “Lock the door. Do not let anyone in but me.”
Madison nodded, her eyes filled with an overwhelming mixture of gratitude and exhaustion.
“Thank you, Luca.”
It was the first time she hadn't called him 'sir'.
Luca watched her walk up the grand staircase.
He didn't have time to rest.
Henry was locked in the basement interrogation room, guarded by two men. Vanessa was currently sitting in a police precinct, screaming about false imprisonment.
But the gold bracelet in Luca’s pocket felt heavy.
Congenital heart defect.
Isabella had known. His mother had discovered Vanessa’s secret son, realized the boy was desperately ill, and knew Vanessa was unfit to care for him.
Luca walked into his father’s old study and poured a heavy glass of bourbon.
His phone rang. It was Margaret Whitfield.
“Luca,” the elderly woman said, her voice frantic. “I just saw the news. They arrested Vanessa?”
“It’s over, Margaret. You’re safe.”
“No, Luca, you don't understand,” Margaret insisted. “Vanessa’s arrest triggered something. My house was broken into an hour ago.”
Luca gripped the glass. “Are you okay?”
“I wasn't there, thank God. But they tore my bedroom apart. They were looking for the necklace.”
Luca frowned. “What necklace?”
“The emerald one. The heirloom Isabella gave me to hold for your future wife.”
Luca remembered the necklace. It was a flawless, massive emerald surrounded by diamonds. It had been in the Moretti family for four generations.
“Why would they want the necklace now?” Luca asked. “Vanessa’s gone.”
“Because Isabella altered it,” Margaret said, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Before she died, she had the jeweler remove the solid gold backing. There’s a micro-engraving underneath the stone. It’s the combination to the main family trust.”
Luca froze.
Henry and Vanessa hadn't just wanted a rich husband. They wanted the entire Moretti fortune.
“Where is the necklace, Margaret?”
“I didn't keep it at the house. I knew they were watching me. I gave it to someone I trusted.”
“Who?”
“Elizabeth. The nurse.”
Luca hung up the phone.
He ran down the hallway to the guest suite. The doctor was just packing up his bag.
“She’s stable, Mr. Moretti. But she needs uninterrupted rest.”
Luca walked to the bedside. Elizabeth was sleeping soundly.
He carefully checked her belongings on the bedside table. No necklace.
He checked the pockets of the coat Madison had brought her in. Nothing.
Then, a terrifying thought hit him.
If Elizabeth had the necklace, and Henry had searched her apartment...
Luca’s phone buzzed.
It was Daniel.
“Boss, we have a problem. Henry isn't in the basement.”
“What do you mean he isn't in the basement?” Luca roared.
“The guards were knocked out. He had a concealed wire in his shoe. Picked the cuffs.”
Luca sprinted toward the main staircase.
Henry knew Elizabeth was here. And he knew she had the necklace.
As Luca reached the second-floor landing, the lights in the mansion suddenly flickered, then died completely.
The backup generators didn't kick in. Henry had cut the main line.
The house was plunged into pitch darkness.
Luca drew his gun.
He moved silently down the hallway toward his master suite, where Madison and Leo were locked inside.
He heard a heavy thud coming from the end of the hall.
“Madison!” Luca shouted.
He kicked his bedroom door open.
The room was empty. The window leading out to the balcony was wide open, the curtains blowing violently in the wind.
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On the floor, lying next to the bed, was the small stuffed bear.
And pinned to the pillow with a sharp carving knife was a heavy, glittering emerald necklace.
