Chapter 4 - Whispers of War
Life inside the Torino mansion changed drastically over the next few weeks.
The heavy, oppressive silence that usually filled the halls was replaced by the soft patter of Isabella’s footsteps.
Vincent found himself leaving his dangerous meetings early just to have dinner with the girl and her mother.
He bought Isabella a grand piano, hiring the best instructor in the city to teach her music.
He bought Carmen new, warm clothes, demanding she throw away her tattered maid uniform.
Carmen tried to refuse the gifts, her pride fighting against her crushing gratitude.
But Vincent was a man who never accepted no for an answer.
"You are my guests, not my prisoners," he told her one evening in the library.
He was pouring a glass of expensive bourbon while Carmen sat nervously on the edge of a leather armchair.
"You have given us too much, Vincent," Carmen said softly, using his first name for the first time.
"I have only given you what you always deserved," he replied, handing her a glass.
Their fingers brushed as she took the drink, sending a sudden jolt of electricity between them.
Vincent looked at her, truly looking at her, and realized how breathtakingly beautiful she was.
Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her eyes held the quiet strength of a survivor.
Before he could act on the sudden, intense pull he felt toward her, the library doors burst open.
Marco rushed into the room, his face pale and his suit jacket unbuttoned.
"Boss, we have a massive problem," Marco panted, completely ignoring Carmen’s presence.
Vincent set his glass down, his romantic thoughts instantly replaced by cold, calculating instincts.
"Report," Vincent commanded sharply.
"The Moretti family found out you took in the mechanic's widow," Marco explained breathlessly.
"Don Carlo Moretti just sent a message through our street runners."
"He demands you hand over Carmen and the girl by midnight, or he will consider it an act of war."
Carmen dropped her glass, the crystal shattering loudly against the hardwood floor.
She covered her mouth, her entire body shaking with violent sobs.
"I knew it," she cried, backing away toward the wall.
"I brought death into your home, Vincent, I have to leave right now!"
Vincent closed the distance between them in two long strides, grabbing her shoulders firmly.
"You are not going anywhere," he growled, his eyes blazing with a terrifying, protective fire.
He turned to Marco, his voice echoing with absolute authority.
"Tell Don Carlo Moretti that if he wants them, he will have to come through me."
May you like
"Prepare the men, lock down the estate, and distribute the heavy weapons."
"Tonight, we go to war."
