Chapter 2 - The Hidden Cipher
Viktor didn't move. The calm, professional demeanor he had worn for six years began to fracture around the edges, replaced by the sharp, desperate posture of a cornered animal.
“Mr. Moretti,” Viktor rasped out, his voice dropping an octave. “I have served you loyally for six years. Are you really going to take the word of a stray dog and a maid’s child over mine?”
“Bruno isn't a stray,” I replied, stepping closer. “And he doesn't lie. Unbutton your coat.”
Instead of unbuttoning his coat, Viktor’s right hand darted toward his waistband.
Before he could clear his holster, Bruno launched his massive 158-pound frame across the snow-covered courtyard.
The Cane Corso collided with Viktor’s chest with the force of a speeding vehicle. Both men slammed onto the hard cobblestones, Viktor letting out a sharp scream of agony as Bruno’s jaws clamped with crushing force around his right forearm, pinning the weapon to the ground.
“AGHH! GET HIM OFF! GET HIM OFF!” Viktor shrieked, his pistol rolling uselessly into the snow bank.
My guards instantly swarmed the area, weapons drawn, but I raised my hand sharply.
“Bruno, release!” I barked out.
The dog instantly unclenched his jaws, stepping back two paces, his chest heaving, a thin line of Viktor’s blood staining his black muzzle. He didn't attack again; he simply stood over the fallen guard, growling softly, waiting for my next command.
Two of my men grabbed Viktor by his collar, dragging him to his feet and pinning him against the cold stone wall.
I walked over, picked up Viktor’s dropped firearm, and ejected the magazine.
Inside his inner coat pocket was not a laundry schedule.
It was an encrypted satellite drive, three passports under false names, and a detailed floor plan of the estate’s primary vault—marked with red ink showing guard shift rotations that had only been finalized four hours prior.
My blood turned to liquid nitrogen.
“The vault,” I whispered, staring at the blueprints. “Who bought you, Viktor?”
Viktor spat blood onto the snow, glaring at me with dark, venomous eyes. “The Moretti syndicate is falling apart, Gabriel. You spend your time playing benefactor to maids and orphans while real men take over the territory. The Valenti family paid me two million dollars for the drive.”
“And Sophia?” I asked, stepping up to him, my voice dangerously low. “Where is Sophia?”
Viktor let out a bitter, bloodied laugh. “She caught me downloading the vault codes in the security room ten minutes ago. She’s locked in the wine cellar basement... or what’s left of it.”
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I didn't waste another second. I turned toward the manor entrance.
“Lock him in the holding cell under the garage,” I ordered my men. “And bring Bruno.”
