Chapter 4 - THE SERVICE STAIRCASE
The service corridor was narrow, dimly lit, and smelled faintly of floor wax and old wood.
It was the exact place where Vanessa had pushed me hours ago.
Luca moved like a ghost ahead of me, his gun drawn, his footsteps making absolutely no sound on the wooden planks.
I followed as quickly as I could, biting the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood to keep from crying out. Every time I bent my left knee, a sickening pop resonated through the joint.
We reached the second-floor landing.
Below us, I could hear the click of Vanessa’s heels on the bottom steps.
Luca paused, pressing his back against the wall. He peered over the wooden banister into the ground-floor service foyer.
I leaned in beside him, peering over his shoulder.
Vanessa was standing by the heavy metal door that led out to the estate’s private driveway.
But she wasn't alone.
A man in a black tactical uniform was standing with her.
I recognized the uniform. It was Luca’s private security detail.
“Is the car ready?” Vanessa asked in a hushed voice.
The guard nodded. “Yes, Ms. Bellini. Parked by the old boathouse, just like you asked.”
Luca went entirely rigid next to me.
The betrayal wasn't just from outside. It was inside his own house. His own trusted men were taking orders from his fiancée.
“Good,” Vanessa said. She reached into her designer bag and pulled out a small, heavy silver key.
She handed it to the guard.
“Here is the key to the estate's rear service gate. The one near the lake. The cameras have been disabled?”
“Since three o'clock, ma'am.”
“Excellent.” Vanessa pulled her heavy coat over her shoulders. “Tell your men at the boathouse to keep the woman tied up until I arrive. I want to deal with Rebecca myself.”
My breath hitched.
Rebecca and Lily weren't at some distant warehouse.
They were here. On the estate. Locked in the abandoned boathouse down by the lake.
Vanessa had hidden them right under Luca’s nose.
“And the little girl?” the guard asked.
“Put her in the trunk,” Vanessa said callously. “She screams too much.”
Luca’s grip on his gun shifted. I could see the lethal intent radiating from him. He was going to execute the guard right there in the hallway.
He took a step down.
As he did, I shifted my weight to follow him.
My left knee finally buckled completely.
My leg gave out, and my shoe scraped loudly against the wooden stairs. I caught myself on the banister, but the sound echoed through the narrow stairwell like a gunshot.
Downstairs, Vanessa gasped.
The guard instantly spun around, his hand flying to his holster.
He drew his weapon and aimed it directly up the dark stairwell.
“Who’s there?” the guard barked.
I froze, terrified.
The guard reached out and flipped the switch for the stairwell lights.
The harsh fluorescent bulbs flickered on, illuminating me perfectly. I was crouched on the landing, my face pale, clutching the wooden railing.
Because Luca was dressed in a black suit and had immediately pressed himself flat into the deep shadow of the landing alcove, the guard didn't see him.
He only saw me.
Vanessa looked up. Her eyes narrowed into slits of pure venom.
“The maid,” Vanessa hissed.
The guard kept his gun leveled at my chest.
“Step down where I can see your hands,” he ordered.
“Don't move,” Luca breathed barely audibly from the shadows beside me.
“I said come down!” the guard yelled, stepping onto the first stair. “We have a rat, Ms. Bellini. Looks like I get to clean up a mess before we leave.”
Vanessa smiled cruelly.
“Take her out to the boathouse with the others,” she instructed. “She can watch what happens to people who don't know their place.”
The guard aimed down the sights of his gun, walking slowly up the stairs toward me.
“Come here, little bird.”
He was three steps away.
May you like
I closed my eyes.
And from the shadows, Luca stepped out.
