CHAPTER FOUR
A Knife Wrapped in Silk
Seraphina woke before the sun.
Not because she was rested. Because the house breathed differently at dawn.
The estate was quieter, but it was not peaceful. There was a low hum beneath the silence, like a beast shifting in its sleep. She lay still, eyes open, listening. Footsteps in the distance. Doors opening and closing softly. Men changing shifts. Guns being checked. Secrets being carried from one room to another.
She had slept in enemy territory her whole life. This was just a larger cage.
She rose, washed, dressed in dark trousers and a soft blouse left out by Giulia. Practical. Alessandro did not dress his possessions like dolls.
By the time she stepped into the hallway, Matteo was waiting.
You walk fast, he said.
I do everything fast.
He turned without comment and led her through corridors that twisted like a maze. The house was designed to confuse outsiders. Or trap them.
They reached a room she had not seen before.
The door opened to reveal a private office. Floor to ceiling windows. Maps on the walls marked with pins and notes. A long table covered in documents. Screens glowing with security feeds.
Alessandro stood at the window, back to her, coffee untouched on the desk.
Close the door, he said.
Matteo did. Then left.
The lock clicked.
Seraphina stepped forward.
You called me early.
You sleep lightly.
I always have.
He turned.
You were watched all night.
She did not react. I assumed as much.
You did not try to leave.
I am not stupid.
His gaze sharpened. Good.
He gestured to the table. Sit.
She did.
He remained standing, palms braced on the wood, leaning toward her.
You gave me a warning last night. About too many people knowing too much.
Yes.
One of them is already dead.
She held his stare. I am not surprised.
You should be.
He straightened. We move fast here.
So did my father.
His eyes flickered. You keep bringing him up.
Because he is the reason we are sitting in this room instead of burying me.
Fair.
He circled the table slowly.
Tell me about the quiet one.
Her pulse ticked up. She kept her voice calm.
The man near the end of the table. Dark suit. No jewelry. Barely spoke.
He nodded.
Luca Ferraro.
He watches exits before faces. He counts reactions. He does not drink much. That tells me he plans to stay sharp.
Alessandro stopped walking.
He is a courier.
She tilted her head. For who.
That is what I need to know.
She met his gaze. Your house leaks.
He smiled without warmth. It always has.
Then why do you trust him.
I do not.
Then why is he alive.
Because killing him now would warn whoever he serves.
Exactly.
Their eyes locked.
We think the same way, he said quietly.
That does not mean we want the same thing.
What do you want, Seraphina.
She leaned back in her chair.
Justice.
He scoffed. That word does not exist here.
Then power.
That one does.
A beat.
You want revenge.
I want truth.
Same thing, different packaging.
He studied her like a blade deciding where to cut.
You will help me flush him out.
How.
You will be visible.
She frowned. You said containment.
Plans evolve.
I am not bait.
You are the sharpest knife I have.
She shook her head once. No.
He leaned forward. You want your father buried with dignity. You want to stay alive. You want answers.
Yes.
Then you will do this.
She rose slowly.
And if I refuse.
His voice dropped. Then you become a liability instead of an asset.
They stood inches apart. The room felt smaller.
You would kill me, she said softly.
Not today.
Not an answer.
His gaze dipped to her mouth, then back to her eyes.
You are not afraid of dying.
I am afraid of dying without meaning.
That answer hit deeper than either of them expected.
He stepped back first.
Tonight there is a private gathering. Inner circle only. Ferraro will be there. You will sit beside me.
Again.
This time you will speak.
She crossed her arms. About what.
About your father.
She stiffened.
You will tell them he kept records. Not details. Just enough to make them uneasy.
That will paint a target on my back.
It already is.
She exhaled slowly.
If this gets me killed.
Then I will kill whoever tries first.
She laughed once. Sharp.
That is not comforting.
It is honest.
Hours later, she stood in front of the mirror again.
Different dress. Deep red. Chosen by Alessandro this time.
He wants them to look, Giulia said quietly. To underestimate you.
They always do.
The gathering took place in a smaller dining room. Candlelight. Low voices. Cigarette smoke curling like ghosts.
Ferraro was there.
He noticed her immediately.
His gaze lingered too long. Calculating.
Alessandro pulled out her chair himself.
A message.
She sat.
Conversation flowed cautiously. Politics. Territory. A shipment lost at sea. A man arrested in Naples.
Then Alessandro placed his hand over hers.
Tell them, he said calmly.
Every eye turned.
Seraphina felt the weight of the room press against her chest.
My father kept records, she said. Of transactions. Names. Patterns.
Murmurs rippled.
Ferraro stilled.
He believed knowledge was protection.
Someone scoffed.
Knowledge gets you killed.
She met that man's stare.
Only if you are alone.
Ferraro leaned forward.
Where are these records now.
She smiled politely.
If I knew that, I would already be dead.
A few laughs followed. Forced.
Ferraro leaned back, but his eyes never left her.
Later, as the room thinned, she felt it.
The shift.
The moment danger chose her.
She excused herself and walked toward the corridor.
Footsteps followed.
She did not turn until the lights dimmed.
Ferraro stood behind her.
You should not walk alone here, he said.
I live here.
For now.
His hand brushed her arm. Not accidental.
Remove your hand, she said.
He smiled thinly. You do not scare me.
Before she could reply, Alessandro appeared.
Remove your hand, he said.
Ferraro obeyed instantly.
Apologies.
Leave.
Ferraro left.
Silence lingered.
You handled that well, Alessandro said.
I was not finished.
He stepped closer.
Neither was I.
They stared at each other, breath mingling.
You enjoy this too much, she said.
So do you.
He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Slow. Intentional.
This is dangerous.
She did not move away.
So are you.
His hand lingered. Then dropped.
Come.
He led her back to her room.
At the door, he stopped.
You played your role perfectly tonight.
Do not confuse performance with obedience.
His eyes darkened.
You are walking a thin line.
She stepped closer.
So are you.
For a moment, something almost happened.
Then he stepped back.
Lock your door.
I thought I was safe.
You are. From everyone else.
The door closed.
Seraphina leaned against it, heart pounding.
Across the hall, Alessandro stood still, jaw clenched.
He had planned to use her.
He had not planned to want her this much.
And that was the most dangerous mistake of all.