Chapter 11 - THE PRODIGAL SISTER’S RETURNThe penthouse foyer went dead silent.
On the security monitor, Isabella Junior—Adrian’s long-lost, fiercely unpredictable twin sister—was casually inspecting her freshly manicured nails while waiting for the biometric locks to override.
Adrian slowly lifted his head from his hands, his gray-blue eyes flashing with a mix of deep exhaustion and genuine dread.
“How is she even alive?” Adrian muttered under his breath, walking briskly toward the private foyer. “I put her in a Swiss boarding school ten years ago with armed guards and a fake identity.”
“People with a death wish tend to be resilient, darling,” I called out, grabbing my blazer and following right behind him. “Besides, if she’s anything like you, boarding school probably just taught her how to build a bomb out of Swiss chocolate and a toaster.”
Noah trotted along beside us, holding his toy sword high. “Can I show Auntie Izzy my Lego trap by the front door?”
“No traps, buddy,” Adrian warned, punching the master override button.
The heavy glass doors slid open with a soft hiss.
Standing there in a designer trench coat, her dark hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail and a dangerous, wicked glint in her eyes identical to Adrian’s, was Isabella Jr. She took one look at her towering brother, then past him to me, and broke into a brilliant, theatrical grin.
“Well, look at my big brother!” Izzy purred, dropping her designer duffel bag onto the marble floor. “Running a multi-billion-dollar corporate empire, playing domestic house with his secretary, and spawning minions. Mother must be furious.”
“Mother is currently in Palm Beach living her best life and ignoring us both,” Adrian deadpanned, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “What are you doing here, Izzy? You were supposed to stay off the grid in Zurich.”
“Zurich was so boring, Addie,” she sighed dramatically, stepping past him and marching right up to me. She extended a hand, her eyes sparkling with wicked amusement. “And you must be Elena. The brave little accountant who married my terrifying brother and survived a syndicate hit. I adore you already.”
I shook her hand cautiously, noticing the heavy tactical ring on her finger. “Elena Kane. And trust me, surviving him is a full-time job.”
“Oh, I know,” Izzy laughed, turning around to spot Noah and little Chloe staring at her like she was an alien. She crouched down, pulling a strange, glowing gadget out of her coat pocket. “And who are these adorable little hostages?”
“They’re my kids, Auntie Monster,” Noah corrected smartly.
Izzy gasped, clutching her chest in mock offense. “Auntie Monster? I like you. You’re staying.”
Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a long, heavy sigh. “Why are you really here, Izzy? People don't break into my Tribeca penthouse with an encrypted briefcase just to say hello.”
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Izzy’s playful expression vanished in an instant, replaced by a cold, hardened stare. She snapped her briefcase shut, hoisted it onto the entryway table, and punched in a rapid code. The metal latches popped open.
“Because,” Izzy said softly, her voice dropping an octave, “the people who put a hit out on Adrian six months ago? They didn't vanish when Victor Morosco went down. They just got a new boss. And according to these files... they’re coming for all of us tonight.”
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