Chapter 3
Dante said nothing.
Emma’s husband, Daniel, had died three years earlier in what police had called a construction accident. She had accepted the explanation because she had been left with a small child and no money to fight anyone. But six months after Daniel’s death, the man began appearing near her apartment. At first, he only watched. Then he started leaving messages.
“He told me Daniel had taken something that belonged to dangerous people,” Emma said. “He said if I ever told anyone, Lily would disappear.” Dante’s eyes became colder. “What did Daniel take?”
Emma shook her head. “I honestly don’t know.”
Dante walked toward the window and looked down at the street. “You’ve been working here for eleven weeks.” Emma nodded. “Why didn't you tell me?” She gave a bitter little laugh. “Because people like you don’t protect people like me.” Dante turned around slowly.
“You're wrong,” he said.
Emma looked surprised. Dante continued, “People who work under my roof are my responsibility.” For the first time, Emma looked directly into his eyes. “Then you need to know something else.” Her voice dropped to almost a whisper. “Daniel wasn't a construction worker.”
Dante’s expression changed.
“He worked with financial records,” Emma said. “He discovered a series of payments moving through shell companies. He copied the records before he died.” She reached inside her coat and pulled out a tiny brass key. “I have the files.”
Julian stepped forward immediately, but Dante stopped him. “Where?” he asked. Emma stared at the key. “In a storage locker Daniel rented under another name.” Dante took a slow breath. “And you’ve had this the entire time?”
“I was afraid,” she admitted. “I thought if I stayed quiet, they would eventually forget about us.” Lily suddenly tugged on Dante’s sleeve. “Mr. Dante?” He looked down.
“Are we safe here?”
Dante crouched until they were eye level. “Yes.” Lily studied him carefully. “Promise?” Dante looked at Emma, then back at the little girl holding the rabbit with the missing eye. “I promise.” Outside, a black sedan pulled away from the curb.
Julian watched it disappear into traffic. “They know we moved her upstairs,” he said. Dante stood. “Then we move first.” He looked at the brass key in Emma’s hand. “Tomorrow morning, we find that locker.” Emma shook her head. “No. It has to be tonight.” Dante frowned. “Why?”
The little girl nodded with solemn dignity, sticking her thumb in her mouth for a second before yanking it out and standing straighter. “I can be like a mouse. Mommy says mice are the quietest things in the whole building because they have soft feet.”
Emma’s face went pale.