Chapter 3 - The Cage at St. Brigid’s
Leo’s demeanor transformed instantly. The vulnerable, grieving father vanished, replaced by the formidable commander of the Chicago underworld.
"Tell me everything," Leo commanded softly, leaning forward.
Cora swallowed hard, holding Orso’s velvet ear for comfort. "When the state separated us two years ago, they sent Nina to St. Brigid’s. It's not a real orphanage. It's run by a man named Father Lucius. But he's not a priest. He takes money from rich families to sell children off the books. He told me if I ever came back, he'd have the police lock me up."
Leo's eyes turned to cold, polished steel. He stood up smoothly and turned to Silas, who was standing quietly in the doorway.
"Silas," Leo said softly. "Look up St. Brigid's Home for Children. Find out who owns the deed, who funds it, and who this 'Father Lucius' really is."
"Already on it, Boss," Silas replied, pulling out a tablet. "St. Brigid's is a private institution registered under an offshore holding company in Panama. But the true owner... is Raymond Marcone."
The air in the room seemed to drop twenty degrees.
Raymond Marcone was the head of the Marcone family—Leo’s mortal enemy. The man who had ordered the hit on Leo’s home ten years ago.
"Marcone isn't just running an illegal adoption ring," Silas continued, his voice grim. "He's been using St. Brigid's as a bargaining chip. He's been holding children of various high-profile targets to keep local politicians and rival factions in line."
Leo closed his fists until his knuckles popped like gunshots. "He had my daughter in his grip for two years... and he didn't even know it."
"Father Lucius knows," Cora interrupted, her voice trembling. "He has a photo of our mother in his office desk. He used to look at it and laugh. He told Nina that our father was a dead monster."
Leo walked back to the bed, dropping to his knee so he was eye-level with Cora. He gently took her small, cold hand in his.
"He was wrong about one thing, Corinna," Leo murmured, his voice thick with lethal promise. "I am a monster. But I am not dead. And I am coming for your sister."
"I'm going with you," Cora said firmly, looking him straight in the eye.
Leo hesitated. "Corinna, it's dangerous—"
"I stood outside those iron gates for eight months in the snow!" Cora declared, her voice ringing with an absolute, unshakeable strength that mirrored his own. "Nina knows my voice. If she sees your men in dark suits, she'll hide. She needs to know I came back for her!"
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Leo looked at his daughter—at the fiery, unbroken spirit that eight months of homelessness had failed to crush. A slow, proud smile touched his lips.
"Get her warm clothes, Silas," Leo ordered, standing up. "And bring the heavy armor. We're going to church."
