Chapter 2 - The Silent Benefactor
The next morning, the freezing, drafty apartment on the South Side was interrupted by a heavy, authoritative knock. Maria Silva jolted awake, her heart hammering in her chest. She instinctively pulled Elena closer to her on the narrow cot. It was too early for the Romanov collectors, but in her world, bad news never adhered to a schedule.
Trembling, she approached the door and peered through the rusted peephole. There were no armed thugs. Instead, a delivery man in a crisp uniform stood holding a clipboard, flanked by six massive cardboard boxes.
Cautiously, she undid the chain. “Can I help you?”
“Delivery for the Silva residence,” the man said politely, not waiting for an invitation as he began stacking the heavy boxes just inside the threshold. “Paid in full.”
“There must be a mistake,” Maria stammered, pulling her frayed robe tighter around her shoulders. “I didn't order anything. I can't pay for this.”
“The bill is settled, ma'am. Have a good day.”
Before she could argue, the man vanished down the decaying concrete stairs. Maria stared at the boxes. Elena padded out of the bedroom, rubbing her eyes with tiny fists. “Mama? What is it?”
Maria opened the first box, and tears instantly spilled over her eyelashes. It was packed with fresh produce—apples without bruises, vibrant green vegetables, and thick cuts of prime meat wrapped in butcher paper. The second box contained milk, heavy cream, imported cheeses, and an entire box of chocolate ice cream packed in dry ice. The third held thick, luxurious winter blankets and a pair of heavy, insulated children’s snow boots.
“Is it Christmas?” Elena whispered, her eyes wide as saucers as she reached out to touch a bright red apple.
Maria pulled an unmarked white envelope from the top of the final box. Inside was a single, crisp piece of heavy cardstock with three words written in sharp, elegant black ink:
May you like
Eat. Both of you.
Across the street, parked in the shadows of an abandoned alleyway, Dante Caruso watched through the tinted window of his SUV. He saw the apartment lights flicker on, saw the shadow of the woman and the child moving around the kitchen. The crushing weight in his chest eased just a fraction. But this was only the beginning. Food was temporary. He needed to eliminate the threat completely.
