Chapter 6 - The Gathering of Shadows
By seven o'clock that evening, the sky over Philadelphia had turned into a dark, bruised purple, heavy with the promise of a winter rainstorm.
Inside the master dressing room of the Moretti estate, Maria was pinning the hem of an exquisite dark emerald silk gown around my waist. The dress was magnificent—tailored to perfection, with long sleeves, a high neckline, and a sweeping train that rustled against the hardwood floor.
Suspended around my neck was the silver locket my mother had left me, shining brightly against the dark green silk.
“You look just like her, child,” Maria whispered tearfully, adjusting the hairpins in my styled dark hair. “Clara walked into a room like a queen. You have her spirit.”
“I’m terrified, Maria,” I admitted softly, staring at my reflection in the full-length mirror.
“Fear is natural, sweetheart,” Maria said gently, taking my hands. “But you are not alone anymore. You have the entire Moretti family standing behind you.”
The door opened, and Luca stepped into the room.
He was dressed in a pristine black tuxedo, his dark hair slicked back, looking every bit the lethal, aristocratic crime lord he was born to be. In his hand, he carried a small, velvet-lined mahogany box.
“Maria, leave us for a moment,” Luca commanded softly.
Maria nodded and quietly slipped out of the room, closing the heavy oak doors behind her.
Luca walked over to me, his dark eyes sweeping over my emerald dress, a look of profound, breathtaking admiration flashing across his features.
“You are stunning, Avery,” he said quietly.
“Thank you,” I murmured, my face flushing slightly under his intense gaze.
Luca opened the mahogany box he was holding. Inside lay a delicate, glittering diamond belt fitted with a concealed, ultra-thin titanium sheath holding a small, razor-sharp steel dagger.
“This belonged to my mother,” Luca said, lifting the diamond belt from the box. “May I?”
I nodded gently. Luca stepped behind me, his broad body close to mine, his hands warm as he wrapped the belt around my waist, fastening the secure clasp over the emerald silk. His scent—sandalwood and rain—surrounded me, sending a strange, electric shiver down my spine.
“If anything goes wrong tonight,” Luca whispered close to my ear, his breath warm against my neck, “if my men and I are separated from you for even a second... pull this blade and do not hesitate.”
I turned around to face him, resting my hand against his lapel. “Nothing is going to happen to us, Luca. We have a plan.”
“Valenti is a snake, Avery,” Luca warned, taking my hand in his. “He thinks he’s inviting a defenseless waitress into his home tonight to surrender her birthright. He has no idea he’s inviting Clara Moretti’s daughter.”
A soft knock sounded at the door, and Marco stuck his head inside.
“Boss, the convoy is ready. And... little Leo won't go to sleep until he sees her.”
I smiled softly and walked into the adjoining nursery.
Leo was sitting in his wooden crib, clutching his favorite plush bear, whimpering quietly. The moment I walked into the room in my emerald dress, his little face lit up like a Christmas tree. He reached out his tiny arms, making a sweet, happy sound.
I leaned over the crib, wrapping my arms around him, holding him close to my silk dress, kissing his soft cheek.
“Be a good boy for Maria tonight, Leo,” I whispered into his hair. “I’ll be back before you wake up. I promise.”
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Leo rested his tiny hand against my silver locket, letting out a soft, contented sigh, as if he understood every word I said.
Ten minutes later, a fleet of five armored black sedans pulled out of the Moretti estate, speeding into the dark, rain-slicked streets of Philadelphia toward the Valenti stronghold.
