Chapter 3 - Shadows on the Wall
For the next four days, the Moretti estate became a gilded fortress for Allie and Lily.
Murphy had them moved from the cramped staff quarters to a warm, sunlit suite on the second floor of the main house. The room featured plush carpets, a private balcony overlooking the manicured gardens, and a nursery corner filled with brand-new toys, coloring books, and clothes that Murphy had his staff discreetly purchase.
Despite the comfort, Allie spent her days in a state of high-strung vigilance. She jumped at every door slam and started at every shadow that crossed the hallway.
The only person who seemed entirely unfazed by the situation was three-year-old Lily.
To the utter amazement of the estate's stoic security team, Lily took an immediate liking to Murphy. She followed the formidable mob boss whenever he walked through the main halls, her small footsteps pattering softly behind his polished leather shoes.
On Thursday afternoon, Murphy sat at his massive mahogany desk in the grand study, reviewing financial ledgers and shipping manifests.
A soft tap sounded on the half-open door, followed by a tiny head peeking around the frame.
"Mr. Scar man?" Lily whispered.
Murphy looked up from his papers, his stern expression softening slightly. "My name is Murphy, Lily."
"Murphy," she repeated, trotting into the room without hesitation. She held a fresh crayon drawing in her hand. She walked right up to his leather chair, holding the paper up for his inspection.
Murphy took the drawing carefully between his large, calloused fingers.
It showed three figures standing in front of a giant brick house. One was a small girl with a pink dress, one was a woman with long dark hair, and beside them was a towering black silhouette with a red line across its face. Above them, a massive yellow sun beamed down over a green lawn.
"Who is the tall one?" Murphy asked, pointing at the black silhouette.
"You," Lily said simply, leaning her elbows on his knee. "You made the bad men go away."
Murphy went quiet, looking down at the crude drawing. For twenty years, his life had been defined by violence, power struggles, and the heavy burden of running an empire born in blood. No one had ever depicted him as a protector.
At that moment, Allie appeared at the study door, looking flushed and apologetic.
"Lily! I told you not to bother Mr. Moretti," Allie said, stepping inside to gather her daughter. "I am so sorry, Murphy. She slipped out while I was folding laundry."
"She isn't bothering me, Allie," Murphy said, placing the drawing carefully on his desk beside his confidential reports. "Sit down for a moment. We need to talk."
Allie hesitated, then took a seat in the velvet armchair across from his desk, keeping Lily close to her knee.
"Dominic intercepted another call an hour ago," Murphy informed her, his tone businesslike. "Sosa’s team has bought off a private security guard who worked for the neighboring estate. He knows you are inside my grounds."
Allie's face drained of color. "Oh God. He's coming here?"
"He thinks he is," Murphy said calmly. "He believes you are hiding here as an undocumented servant without my knowledge. He doesn't know I know who you are."
Allie gripped her skirt, her knuckles turning white. "Murphy... you don't understand what Victor is capable of. He isn't just a criminal. He's a monster. He built his entire operation on illegal human trafficking and municipal extortion."
"I know what he is," Murphy said coldly. "My men have been cataloging his network for two years."
"There's something else," Allie whispered, her voice dropping into a barely audible tremble.
Murphy leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk. "What is it, Allie?"
May you like
Allie looked down at Lily, who was busy playing with the brass tassel on the chair arm.
"There's a reason Victor spent fourteen months hunting me across three states," Allie confessed, her eyes filled with a terrifying, ancient secret. "It isn't just because I escaped from his compound. It's because of what I took with me when I ran."
