Chapter 6: The First Move
Vittorio waited until the sun had fully risen before making his move.
He knew Isabella and Alessio would start getting suspicious if he didn’t appear soon. The fake driver was still standing beside the car, occasionally glancing toward the villa.
Vittorio pulled out his phone and sent a message to Marco:
Vittorio: Send two men to the east wall of the villa. Use the old service entrance. Do it quietly. I have the gardener’s daughter with me.
The reply came within seconds.
Marco: On the way.
While waiting, Vittorio turned to Sophia.
“I need you to do something for me,” he said.
Sophia looked up at him.
“What is it?”
“I need you to stay calm and do exactly what I say when my men arrive. Can you do that?”
She nodded.
“Good,” Vittorio said. “Because from now on, you’re under my protection. No one is going to hurt you or your father again.”
Sophia didn’t say anything, but she moved a little closer to him.
Twenty minutes later, two of Vittorio’s most trusted men appeared at the east wall, just as he had instructed. They moved quietly through the trees and stopped when they saw Vittorio and Sophia.
One of them, a man named Luca, looked shocked when he saw his boss hiding behind the trees with a child.
“Boss… what’s going on?” Luca asked in a low voice.
Vittorio didn’t have time for long explanations.
“Take the girl somewhere safe,” he ordered. “Then I want you to find out where they’re keeping Renzo. And I want it done fast.”
Luca nodded and gently took Sophia’s hand.
“Come with me, little one,” he said softly.
Sophia looked at Vittorio one last time.
“Be careful,” she whispered.
Vittorio gave her a small nod.
Then he watched as Luca led her away through the trees.
Once they were gone, Vittorio turned to the other man.
“Give me your gun,” he said.
The man handed over his weapon without question.
Vittorio checked the magazine, then tucked it into his jacket.
He looked back toward the villa one last time.
His wife was still inside, probably wondering why he hadn’t gotten into the car yet.
Vittorio allowed himself a cold, dangerous smile.
She had no idea that her entire plan had already fallen apart.
And she had no idea what was coming for her.
He turned to his man.
May you like
“Let’s go,” he said. “It’s time to remind some people who I am.”
