Chapter 4 - THE PRICE OF ONE NIGHT
Dante Romano had faced armed rivals without losing his composure.
But one empty bedroom had brought him to his knees.
He sat on the edge of Sophia's bed, holding the photograph Elena had given him.
The room smelled faintly of lavender.
Her lavender.
On the dresser stood an empty space where her mother's photograph had always been.
He finally understood what he'd done.
He hadn't merely asked Sophia to change rooms.
He had handed her private sanctuary to a woman who had already humiliated her.
And he'd expected gratitude.
His phone rang.
Leo, his security chief.
"Boss, we've reviewed the exterior cameras."
"Where did she go?"
"She left at 4:38. A sedan picked her up."
"License plate?"
"Registered to Daniel Mercer."
Dante stood.
The name struck him immediately.
Daniel Mercer had been his father's private attorney before disappearing more than two decades earlier.
"Find him."
"There's something else."
"What?"
"The west corridor camera stopped recording at 2:14 a.m."
Dante looked toward the bedroom.
"Who disabled it?"
"We're checking."
He stepped into the hallway.
Isabella emerged from Sophia's room wearing a silk robe.
"Dante, darling. What's all this noise?"
He looked at her.
"Where were you at two this morning?"
She blinked.
"Asleep."
"Did you leave the bedroom?"
"Of course not."
Dante studied her expression.
"Where is the security camera footage?"
Isabella laughed nervously.
"How would I know?"
He stepped closer.
"Don't lie to me."
Her smile disappeared.
"You're upset because your little maid ran away?"
Dante's expression became cold.
"Her name is Sophia."
"She's an employee."
"She's a person."
Isabella folded her arms.
"You gave me the room. Don't blame me because she couldn't handle reality."
For a moment, Dante remembered Sophia standing beside the linen shelves.
Waiting.
Hoping he'd ask what she wanted.
He hadn't.
Now Isabella was smiling at the pain he'd caused.
"Pack your things," Dante said.
Isabella stared.
"What?"
"You're leaving."
"You promised protection."
"I promised shelter. I didn't promise you the right to hurt someone under my roof."
Isabella's face twisted.
"You'll regret choosing her."
Dante opened the door.
"Get out."
She moved closer.
"Do you even know who she is?"
He stopped.
Isabella smiled.
"Ask your father why Margaret Bennett was paid half a million dollars to disappear."
Dante stared.
"My father died twelve years ago."
May you like
Isabella leaned close.
"Then perhaps you should ask why his private bank account sent Margaret another payment three days before she died."
