Chapter 4 - Someone Beyond the Garden Wall
His name was Victor Santi.
Adrian stared at the enlarged image on Marco’s monitor without moving.
“You're certain?” I asked.
“Yes.”
Marco answered instead.
“Santi worked for the Moretti organization years ago.”
“What happened to him?”
Adrian’s voice was flat.
“He betrayed my brother.”
The room went silent.
According to Marco, Victor had supplied information that allowed Adrian’s enemies to track Luca.
Three weeks after Luca died, Victor disappeared.
A burned vehicle was later discovered outside the city.
Human remains inside were identified as his.
Except apparently Victor had never been in that car.
“He let everyone think he was dead,” I said.
Adrian nodded.
“For nine years?”
“Yes.”
“Why come back now?”
Nobody answered.
Then I looked at the photograph again.
“Maybe he never left.”
Adrian turned toward me.
Marco leaned closer to the screen.
I continued.
“If Victor knew enough about you to betray your brother, maybe he knew enough to disappear without really disappearing.”
Marco’s expression changed.
“He could have had help.”
“Inside?” I asked.
Adrian and Marco exchanged a look.
That night, every employee’s access was reviewed.
Claire hated it.
Rosa was offended.
The kitchen staff became terrified.
And I was moved into a bedroom closer to the secured central wing.
Winston came with me.
At midnight, someone knocked.
Adrian stood outside.
No jacket.
Sleeves rolled up.
For once, he looked tired rather than frightening.
“You should sleep.”
“So should you.”
“I don't sleep much.”
“Nine years?”
He looked at me.
I immediately regretted asking.
But instead of leaving, he entered.
Winston jumped onto the sofa between us.
For several minutes Adrian said nothing.
Then he told me about Luca.
His brother had been twenty-six.
Funny.
Reckless.
Loved motorcycles.
Hated Adrian’s seriousness.
Luca had wanted out of the family business.
Adrian had promised to help him.
Before he could, Victor sold information about Luca’s movements.
“They took him because of me,” Adrian said.
“No.”
His eyes hardened.
“Yes.”
“Victor made that choice.”
“I gave him something to use.”
“A brother?”
“A weakness.”
I stared at him.
“People aren't weaknesses.”
“In my world, they are.”
“That sounds lonely.”
“It is safer.”
“For whom?”
He had no answer.
Winston put his head on Adrian’s knee.
Adrian absently scratched behind his ears.
I finally understood the man everyone feared.
He had not stopped caring because he had become cold.
He had become cold because caring had nearly destroyed him.
“Is that why you want me gone?”
“Yes.”
“At least you're finally telling the truth.”
“Elena, Victor photographed you.”
“I know.”
“He knows your name.”
“I know.”
“He knows you matter.”
My heart beat harder.
“You said that, not me.”
Adrian looked at me.
For once, there was no wall behind his eyes.
“You matter.”
Three words.
No dramatic declaration.
No touching.
But they changed everything.
Before either of us could speak again, Marco’s voice exploded through Adrian’s radio.
“Movement. East service gate.”
Adrian stood instantly.
The lights went out.
Every light.
The mansion fell into darkness.
Winston began barking.
Somewhere downstairs, glass shattered.
Adrian grabbed my hand.
“Stay behind me.”
Emergency lights flickered red along the corridor.
Then Marco shouted through the radio.
“Breach!”
Adrian pulled me toward the secure staircase.
We had taken three steps when Winston suddenly tore free and ran the opposite direction.
“Winston!”
The terrier disappeared into darkness.
I turned after him.
Adrian caught my wrist.
“Elena, no.”
Then we heard Winston barking wildly from downstairs.
Followed by a man’s voice.
“Get that damn dog!”
I recognized the voice from nowhere.
Adrian recognized it immediately.
His face changed.
“Victor.”
May you like
And suddenly the ghost from nine years ago was not outside the mansion anymore.
He was inside.
