Chapter 3 - THE SILVER POCKET WATCH BELONGED TO MY FATHER
Nell stared at the silver watch in Carmine’s hand.
“Put that down.”
Carmine didn't move.
“I asked you a question, Nell.”
“It belongs to my father.”
“It has my father’s initials on it.”
Nell swallowed hard.
The monitor beside Emmett’s bed beeped a slow, steady rhythm.
“My father found it,” she said, her voice shaking.
“Where?”
“In the ashes of our bakery. Twenty years ago.”
The room went completely still.
Carmine looked at the heavy silver timepiece.
He remembered his father wearing it every day of his childhood.
He had always believed his father was a man of absolute honor.
“You think my father burned down your bakery,” Carmine said quietly.
Nell lifted her chin.
The fear in her eyes was replaced by a fierce, protective anger.
“I know he did. He burned it down to force my father to sell the land to Conrad Bellarose. Your family has always protected Bellarose.”
“My father didn't burn buildings,” Carmine said.
“Then why was his watch in the rubble?”
Carmine had no answer.
He placed the watch back on the nightstand.
“I’m moving your father to a private facility today,” Carmine said.
“No.”
“Bellarose was in my office this morning. If he finds out you are alive, and working in my house, he will come for you.”
“I quit,” Nell said.
“I don't accept your resignation.”
“You don't own me, Mr. Orsini.”
“No. But I am going to protect you.”
Carmine turned and walked out of the room before she could argue.
He returned to the estate an hour later.
The house was quiet.
He walked into the grand foyer and stopped.
Conrad Bellarose was standing near the sweeping staircase.
He was holding a crystal glass of bourbon.
Odette, the housekeeper, stood nervously near the parlor doors.
“Conrad,” Carmine said. His voice was dangerously calm. “I didn't invite you here.”
Bellarose smiled easily.
“I know, Carmine. But I was in the neighborhood. I brought the revised contracts.”
He took a sip of bourbon.
“And I wanted to see your house. It’s beautiful. Your staff is remarkably efficient.”
At that moment, the side door opened.
Nell walked in, carrying a stack of fresh linens.
She froze.
Bellarose looked at her.
His smile widened.
It was not a friendly smile.
It was the smile of a predator recognizing its prey.
“Well,” Bellarose said softly. “Isn't this a small world.”
Nell didn't drop the linens.
She held them so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Carmine stepped between them.
He blocked Bellarose’s view of Nell.
“Odette,” Carmine said without looking back. “Take Miss Brisco downstairs.”
Nell walked away quickly.
Bellarose chuckled.
“Brisco? Is that what she’s calling herself now?”
“Leave my house, Conrad.”
Bellarose set his glass on the antique entry table.
“Of course, Carmine. Take your time with the contracts.”
He turned and walked toward the front doors.
“Oh, and Carmine?”
Bellarose paused in the doorway.
“Tell the little maid she dropped something in the driveway.”
Bellarose left.
Carmine walked over to the entry table.
Resting next to the empty bourbon glass was a delicate, pearl rosary.
Carmine picked it up.
He carried it downstairs to the staff kitchen.
Nell was standing by the sink, shaking violently.
Carmine held out his hand.
“Is this yours?”
Nell looked at the pearl rosary.
All the color drained from her face.
“No,” she whispered. “That was my mother’s.”
She looked up at Carmine, her eyes filled with absolute terror.
May you like
“She was buried with it fifteen years ago.”
TITLE: THE PEARL ROSARY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BURIED
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