Chapter 2 - The Safehouse Protocol
The rain poured heavily as the heavily armored black SUV pulled into the subterranean garage of Enzo’s secure compound on the outskirts of the city. High concrete walls, security sensors, and heavily armed men surrounded the compound, making it an impenetrable sanctuary.
Doc Sullivan and two medics carefully rolled the gurney into a fully equipped private surgical suite built beneath the estate. Claire’s breathing was still shallow, her face pale against the white sheet, but her vital signs had stabilized enough for surgery.
Upstairs in the private library, Enzo sat on a dark leather couch. He had taken off his blood-stained suit jacket, rolling up his crisp white shirt sleeves. Sitting beside him, wrapped in a plush wool blanket and clutching a warm mug of milk, was seven-year-old Sadie. Her small feet had been cleaned and bandaged by the family nurse, though she still held Enzo’s hand tightly with her tiny fingers.
"Sadie," Enzo spoke gently, his voice low and calm. "You were very brave tonight. I need to ask you a few questions so I can make sure those bad men never come near your house again."
Sadie sniffled, wiping her nose with the edge of her blanket. "They didn't want our TV or Mama’s jewelry, Mr. Enzo. They kept yelling at her about a small black box. They said... they said if she didn't give them the key, they would hurt me."
Enzo’s eyes narrowed. "A key?"
"Mama made me hide under the floorboards in the pantry," Sadie whispered, tears welling up in her eyes again. "She gave me a little metal key on a string and told me to run to Lombardi's. She told me to look for a man with dark eyes wearing a black tie..."
Sadie reached into the pocket of her oversized sweater and pulled out a small, old-fashioned brass key attached to a faded blue ribbon. She placed it into Enzo’s palm.
Ray stepped quietly into the library, catching Enzo’s eye. Enzo nodded, setting his tea down and walking to the corner of the room.
"How is she, Ray?" Enzo asked in a low whisper.
"Doc Sullivan just finished setting her ribs and stopping the internal bleed," Ray reported, keeping his voice down. "She lost a lot of blood, Boss, but she's tough. She's in the recovery room now. She’ll live."
Enzo let out a slow, heavy breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He looked at the brass key in his hand.
"She wasn't targeted by accident, Ray," Enzo said softly. "Someone gave her a ledger or a drive that belongs to the syndicate. And whoever sent those men thought they could brutalize a defenseless woman to get it back."
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"The Morettis?" Ray asked, his hand resting on his holstered weapon.
"Victor Moretti," Enzo confirmed, his jaw tightening into iron. "He thinks because I’m looking to expand into legitimate shipping, I’ve grown soft. He tried to kill the woman my sister picked for me, and he terrified a child. He’s about to learn how soft I really am."
