Chapter 4 - The Price of Loyalty
The name Dominic Orsini sent a sudden chill through the damp cellar air.
Dominic was Raphael's uncle—a legendary figure who had supposedly retired to a villa in Sicily five years ago after Raphael took official control of the syndicate.
"Dominic?" Raphael's voice dropped into an icy, dangerous register. "He's supposed to be in Palermo."
"His private jet landed at Midway two hours ago," Julian countered, opening his briefcase to reveal thick stacks of legal documents and encrypted flash drives. "He's already convened an emergency summit of the five families at the hotel downtown. He's claiming you showed weakness, lost control of the docks, and fled the city. He's preparing to take the oath of leadership at sunrise."
Raphael stood upright, his face pale but his posture rigid as steel. "He wants the master ledgers stored in the house vault."
"Precisely," Julian agreed. "Victor's men are tearing your private study apart right now looking for the keycard. If Dominic presents those ledgers to the council, he can legally freeze all your personal holdings and assume total control of the Orsini empire."
Julian turned his sharp gaze toward me. "And who is this girl?"
"Her name is Elena," Raphael said, his tone razor-sharp. "She saved my life tonight. If any harm comes to her or her brother, Julian, I will burn this syndicate to the ground myself."
Julian blinked in surprise, then bowed his head respectfully. "Understood, boss."
"We need that keycard before Victor finds it," I spoke up suddenly, stepping into the dim light.
Both men turned to look at me. Raphael frowned. "Elena, no. It's too dangerous. Victor has armed men posted in every main hallway."
"They're guarding the main hallways," I insisted, my voice steadying. "They aren't guarding the old maintenance chutes. I've worked in this house for two years, Raphael. I know every service tunnel, every laundry drop, and every hidden access panel built into these walls. The private study is on the second floor. I can get us directly into the study behind the bookshelf without crossing a single public hall."
Raphael stared at me, a sudden spark of deep admiration breaking through the tension on his face.
"You really are five steps ahead," he murmured, a faint, breathtaking smile touching his lips.
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"I have to be," I said softly. "Micah's treatment invoice is due on Friday. I can't let your uncle ruin you before you pay my wage."
Raphael let out a quiet, genuine laugh, reaching out to gently tuck a loose lock of hair behind my ear. "If we survive tonight, Elena... you will never work another day as a maid."
