Chapter 3 - The Snake in the Silk RobesThe Moretti family was an empire of wolves, but the head of the inner council was Julian Moretti—Alessandro’s older half-brother. Julian had always operated in the shadows, managing the family’s legal holdings while Alessandro handled the raw power and street operations.
When Alessandro stormed back into the Alpine mansion, the entire estate was in lockdown. Armed guards lined the hallways. In the grand living room, seated calmly on a velvet sofa, was Julian, sipping espresso while reading the financial news. Beside him sat Victor, the family’s chief legal advisor.
"Alessandro, what is the meaning of this frantic summons?" Julian asked, setting down his cup with calculated grace. "The guards are running around like headless chickens."
Alessandro didn't speak. He walked over, grabbed Julian by the collar, and slammed him against the marble fireplace, drawing his gun and pressing the cold steel barrel directly under Julian's chin.
"Where is she?" Alessandro growled, his voice a dangerous whisper.
Victor leaped up. "Alessandro! Put the gun down! He’s your brother!"
"He’s a man who has five minutes to tell me where my daughter is before I put a bullet through his brain!"
Julian didn't flinch. A bitter, smug smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Daughter? You’ve finally lost your mind, brother. Sophia died four years ago. You’ve been chasing ghosts, and now you’re threatening your own blood over some street rat you picked up in the rain?"
"She has my DNA!" Alessandro spat. "And someone used my personal bypass code—a code known only to YOU and VICTOR—to wipe the security feeds and smuggle her off the property!"
Julian’s eyes narrowed slightly, but his composure remained unshakeable. "If your code was used, maybe you should look closer to home. Or maybe... you did it yourself in one of your grief-fueled blackouts."
Before Alessandro could pull the trigger, Marco burst into the room, holding a burner phone.
"Boss! Don't shoot! We got a ping on the burner phone that was left in the glove compartment of your car!"
Alessandro lowered the gun slightly, keeping his eyes glued to Julian. "Put it on speaker."
Marco pressed the button. A raspy, distorted voice echoed through the high-ceilinged room:
"Alessandro... if you want to see your daughter alive, you will sign over the full voting rights of the Moretti Shipping Terminals by midnight. Do not call the police. Do not bring your army. Come alone to Pier 42... or the girl goes into the ocean, just like her mother."
The line went dead.
Alessandro slowly lowered his weapon, his gaze shifting from Julian to Victor. The shipping terminals were the crown jewels of the family empire—worth billions and controlling every illegal shipment coming through the Eastern seaboard.
"Pier 42," Alessandro said quietly. "That was Sophia’s favorite dock."
Julian smoothed his silk jacket. "It’s a trap, Alessandro. If you go there alone, you’re walking to your death. Let the guards handle it."
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"If anyone follows me," Alessandro barked, turning toward the door, "I’ll kill them myself. Marco, secure the house. Nobody leaves. Nobody speaks."
As Alessandro walked out, Julian exchanged a swift, subtle glance with Victor. Neither of them noticed the small, hidden listening device Marco had slipped beneath the velvet sofa cushions just minutes before.
