Chapter Four

Unaccounted variables were always a pain in the ass, even though it’d never hindered her mission.

Elena swallowed hard, her body stiffening as she maintained her fighting stance, every nerve on high alert. She hated staring contests—especially when she was caught off guard—but what stood before her made her cautious, not defensive.

She took in the small details—the disheveled hair, the pale pink pattern of her pajamas dotted with tiny stars, the soft scuffing sound of bare feet on the polished floor. There was something unsettling about the child’s calmness, as she stared back, her deep brown eyes unblinking, and her small figure framed in the dim light from the corridor.

Dark, curly hair spilled over her shoulders, tangled and mussed from sleep. Her pink pajamas hung loosely on her frame, one sleeve twisted, and a teddy bear with one missing eye dangled from her small hand, its worn fur telling of years of love and neglect.

Elena’s face burned as the assertive look drifted upward, her lips tightened, the intensity of the child’s gaze more unnerving than she cared to admit.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” the small voice interrupted her thoughts.

“And neither are you.”

The girl tilted her head, her wide eyes locking onto Elena. “I was looking for my dad. I had a bad dream.”

Elena straightened slightly, quickly scanning the room for an exit.

Dealing with a child wasn’t part of the plan. There was no reason a child should be wandering around freely, not when there is a gathering of the city’s most dangerous men.

“Your dad isn’t in here,” she said lightly, her eyes flicking toward the door. “Why don’t you head back to bed?”

Ignoring the suggestion, the girl stepped closer, her innocent gaze filled with fascination. “You’re really pretty. Are you Daddy’s new girlfriend?”

Stifling a laugh, Elena calculated how to end the conversation. “Not exactly.”

The girl tilted her head in confusion. “Then what are you doing in Daddy’s special room?”

“I got lost on my way to the bathroom, What’s your name sweetheart.” Elena didn’t miss a beat.

“My name is Priscilla. Did Daddy send you to get something important?” her brow furrowed. “He always says I can’t come here. Are you helping him?”

Elena’s patience frayed slightly as she kept her voice steady. “I’m just… looking around.”

“What are you looking for?” the girl pressed, her curiosity unwavering.

Time was slipping away.

Elena softened her voice, trying a different approach. “You had a nightmare, right? Was it scary? Tell me about it.”

The girl frowned, momentarily distracted. “I don’t remember now…”

“That’s good,” Elena nodded, gently guiding her toward the door. “Sometimes we forget bad dreams when we’re awake. But you really shouldn’t be here. Go on, I’ll watch the door for you.”

She glanced back over her shoulder as she headed toward the door. “Okay..."

“I used to have bad dreams too.”

“Really? And what do you do?” The child perked up.

Elena smiled at the memory of the nights her father would sit with her after a bad dream, stroking her hair until she fell asleep again. Her father was the kind of man who made her feel safe, who had given her everything—and in the end, had been taken from her in the cruelest way. Elena sighed.

“My dad always made it better.”

Priscilla thought for a second. “You seem nice; I think you should consider becoming dad’s girlfriend.”

Elena forced a laugh, brushing off the comment.

“You should go back to bed.”

“But—”

“Now, sweetheart,” Elena whispered, her voice firm but kind. “Daddy will come check on you later. You shouldn’t be talking to strangers either.”

Elena made a gesture but the girl stood rooted. “You’re not like the other ladies. You’re different.”

Priscilla cast one last curious look at Elena before she padded away.

As soon as she was gone, Elena straightened, her features hardening. The innocent observation sent a chill down her spine,

Looking around one last time to ensure there won’t be any more unwanted run-ins, she straightened her dress and started to go back the way she had come.

A few turns down the path she came through earlier, a painting caught her eye—one she knew intimately. Elena’s breath hitched.

She has acquired the painting of the vivid landscape years ago. It was payment from a Russian oligarch. She had gifted her father this particular painting. It hanged at his office, to the very day he was murdered.

As she stood before the painting, Elena felt a familiar ache in her chest. Memories of her father flooded her mind—his laughter, the warmth of his presence. His soft laugh when she made a ridiculous joke, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. She moved closer, her fingers itching to touch the canvas.

How had this ended up here?

Until now, she had nurtured a small amount of doubt in regards to Lorenzo’s involvement in her father’s death. She balled her palm, her finger digging into her flesh.

“Interesting piece, isn’t it?”

Elena turned, her heart pounding as Nico stepped out of the shadows, he fixated on her with unsettling intensity. She bit her lip, fighting to maintain her composure.

“Admiring the collection?” he asked softly, his tone deceptively casual. “Or looking for something specific?”

“Just admiring. You have an exquisite eye for art.” Elena's fingers drifted to the locket at her neck, her thumb tracing the intricate design.

Elena noted that Nico never stood fully in the light. He had a way of blending into the background. Like a shadow that slipped from corner to corner, he moved so quietly that you often didn’t notice him until he wanted you to. He had taken off after he introduced her to Lorenzo.

She wondered how long he’d observed her before making his presence known. She felt ticked off by his sneaky attitude and his interruption of her private moment.

“Do you always lurk in the shadows, hoping to shorten the lifespan of your visitors?”

Nico leaned in slightly, his eyes narrowing. “It’s fascinating how the shadows hide all sorts of truths, isn’t it? Ms. Romano?”

Elena scoffed and shifted her stance, bristling for a fight.

“Here you are, I thought I’d lost you. Is my brother being a bad host?” Elena’s head snapped up.

“Ms. Romano was just sharing her thoughts on the collection,” Nico replied, his voice smooth. “She has… interesting opinions.”

“Is that so?” Lorenzo turned towards her, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. “Perhaps you’d care to share them with me?”

She offered a dry laugh, shaking her head softly. “Maybe another time. I wouldn’t want to keep you from your guests.”

Lorenzo studied her for a long moment, then nodded slowly. “Of course. We can continue this conversation later.”

“One last question, Ms. Romano.”

Elena looked back with what she hoped was genuine curiosity. “Yes?”

Nico’s smile was razor-thin. “Why did Vincent choose you to come tonight?”

Elena put on an air of nonchalance. “Because he trusts me,” she replied softly. “And I never betray that trust.”

“Stay close, Ms. Romano,” his voice smooth but laced with an unspoken warning. “We’d hate to lose anyone tonight.”

“Don’t worry about me. I swim well with sharks.” She turned and walked away, every muscle tensed.

As she slipped back into the main hall, blending in with the throng of guests, she exhaled slowly.