Alle Kapitel von A Vow Written in Blood : Kapitel 31 – Kapitel 40

One year later, Alessia stood beside Gabriel’s grave. This time, the coffin beneath it was empty for the right reason. Morning sunlight covered the cemetery, warming the stone where his name remained engraved. Gabriel had suggested removing the marker, but Alessia asked that it stay. It belonged to the version of him they had lost. She placed a gold star against the headstone. Footsteps approached behind her. Dante stopped at her side. His year of home detention had ended at midnight. The monitoring device had been removed that morning, and he was free to leave the estate without permission. “How does freedom feel?” she asked. “Overrated.” “You’ve had it for six hours.” “I spent four of them looking for you.” “You knew where I was.” “I still prefer having you within reach.” “Possessive.” “Always.” He placed an arm around her waist. Together, they looked at the grave where their story had begun. A promise of murder had been transformed into something

Gunfire struck the western wall. Dante led Alessia across the lawn while Moretti guards fired from behind stone barriers. Emergency lights swept over the estate, illuminating masked attackers advancing through the gardens. Each wore the serpent-and-cross symbol. “Three near the fountain,” Enzo said through the radio. “Two moving towards the chapel.” “They want the cemetery entrance,” Alessia replied. Dante looked at her. “The package.” “It wasn’t only a threat. It marked their entry point.” He ordered additional guards towards the cemetery. An attacker emerged between the hedges. Dante fired first. The man collapsed, but another appeared behind him and aimed at Alessia. She dropped behind a stone planter and returned fire. Her bullet struck his leg. Dante crossed the distance and knocked the weapon from his hand. “Who sent you?” he demanded. The attacker smiled through blood. “The true Romano.” A sharp crack sounded from beyond the wall. The attacker’s head snapped back

The Cathedral of Saint Michael had been abandoned for twenty years. Its bell tower leaned towards the adjoining buildings, and dark vines covered the weathered stone. Most of the stained-glass windows had been broken, leaving empty frames like sightless eyes. Alessia arrived at eleven fifty-five with Dante and Isabella. Gabriel, Caterina and Enzo waited in nearby buildings along with federal officers Evelyn Price had provided. Dante had objected to involving authorities until Alessia reminded him that he no longer commanded an illegal army. He had disliked the reminder. The cathedral doors opened before them. A young man in a black suit waited inside. The serpent-and-cross symbol was tattooed across his hand. “No weapons,” he said. Dante’s expression was almost amused. “Then your employer should have invited different people.” The man searched Isabella first. He recovered a pistol and two knives. Alessia surrendered her weapon but kept a thin blade sewn into her coat. The

Smoke filled the orphanage corridor. Dante wrapped his jacket around Alessia’s shoulders and covered her mouth with the collar. “There must be another exit,” he told Salvatore. “The eastern dormitory has a loading door.” They moved through the hallway as flames consumed the children’s drawings. Burning pieces of ceiling collapsed around them. A beam fell behind Isabella, separating her from the others. “Mother!” Dante turned back. “I’m fine,” she shouted through the fire. “Keep Alessia moving.” Salvatore seized a metal chair and struck the burning timber until it shifted. Isabella crawled through the opening. For one brief moment, their eyes met. The man she had betrayed had just saved her life. They continued into the eastern dormitory. The loading door had been chained from outside. Dante fired the guard’s stolen weapon into the lock. The bullet ricocheted, forcing everyone back. “Stand aside,” Salvatore said. He removed a wooden panel near the floor, exposing the cha

Alessia stood before the cameras wearing her mother’s diamonds. The recording took place inside the Moretti library. Gabriel stood on her right and Salvatore on her left. Dante remained behind the cameras, surrounded by security monitors and armed guards. He hated the plan. His expression made that clear. Alessia looked directly into the lens. “My name is Alessia Moretti, born Alessia Romano. I am the daughter of Sofia Romano and Salvatore Romano, the lawful former head of the Romano family.” Salvatore visibly reacted to hearing the truth spoken aloud. “For decades, Luca Romano ruled through betrayal. He attempted to murder his brother, killed my mother and imprisoned Gabriel when he discovered the truth.” Alessia paused. “I am not claiming Luca’s criminal empire. It deserves to remain buried. I am claiming the legitimate Romano companies, properties and authority stolen from my father.” Dante’s gaze sharpened at the final word. They had agreed she would acknowledge Salvato