The Cost of Blood

The dawn did not arrive gently.

It broke across the Bellanti estate like a wound—sharp, red, unavoidable. Vera stood at the window long before the sun rose fully, her reflection ghosted against the glass. Somewhere behind her, the house stirred. Guards changed shifts. Engines hummed softly. The world prepared itself for violence.

Antonio’s message replayed in her mind.

Bring the boy. Or I bring the truth to him myself.

She had deleted it, but deletion did not erase ...