Chapter 5 - The Silver Locket
The battle outside the safehouse lasted less than twenty minutes.
When Marco and the primary Corvino tactical team arrived via helicopter, they swept the grounds with ruthless efficiency, eliminating the remaining Moretti mercenaries who had breached the perimeter.
When the steel door of the panic room opened, Marco stood outside, his bulletproof vest covered in soot and blood, holding his tactical helmet under his arm.
“The grounds are clear, Don Matteo,” Marco reported, stepping aside to let medical staff enter to check on Nina and Maya. “We captured two survivors. One of them broke under questioning.”
Matteo stood tall, stepping out of the panic room with an aura of absolute death surrounding him. “Was it Enzo?”
“Yes, sir,” Marco confirmed, bowing his head. “Enzo provided Moretti with the satellite coordinates and the security clearance codes thirty minutes before the strike. In exchange, Moretti promised him full control of your downtown casinos and thirty percent of the shipping ports.”
Nina walked out behind Matteo, carrying Maya wrapped tightly in a warm blanket. She looked at Marco, her eyes filled with worry. “Where is Enzo now?”
“He’s at the downtown penthouse,” Marco replied. “He thinks the strike was successful. He’s currently hosting a celebration drink with Dante Moretti’s top lieutenant.”
A cold, terrifying smile spread across Matteo’s face. It was the smile of a predator that had finally backed its prey into a corner.
“Prepare the cars,” Matteo ordered softly. “We are going to pay my cousin a visit.”
“Matteo,” Nina called out, stepping forward and grabbing his arm. “Don't go alone. It’s a trap!”
Matteo turned to look at her. He reached out, his hand gently resting over hers on his arm.
“I am not going alone, Nina,” Matteo said softly, his voice full of warmth. “I have Marco and forty of my best men. But before I leave, there is something I need to give you.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet-lined box. He opened it, revealing an exquisite silver locket hanging from a fine platinum chain.
“This belonged to Valeria,” Matteo explained, taking the necklace from the box. “Before she died, she told me that if our child survived, I should give this to the woman who loved her enough to keep her safe.”
Nina’s eyes filled with tears as Matteo stepped behind her, gently draping the platinum chain around her neck and clasping it securely. The cold silver rested against her collarbone, right beside her heart.
She opened the locket. Inside was a tiny photograph of Valeria on one side, and on the other, a small blank mirror.
“Valeria wanted her daughter to see her own reflection next to her mother’s,” Matteo murmured, leaning down to whisper against Nina’s ear. “But when I look at that mirror... I see you, Nina. You are the mother my daughter knows. You are the light in this dark house.”
Nina turned around, pressing her palms against his cheeks, leaning up to kiss him deeply.
“Come back to us,” Nina whispered against his lips. “Promise me you’ll come back.”
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Matteo rested his forehead against hers, his breath warm against her skin.
“I promise,” Matteo swore softly. “I will end this war tonight. And tomorrow, we build our new life.”
