Chapter 6: Exposed
The next morning, I woke with nerves coiled tight in my belly. Today I would finally expose Luca's treachery to his father.
I chose my outfit carefully - an elegant but understated dress, my hair pinned just so. I needed to look the part of a good and faithful daughter. After breaking fast under the weight of Isabella's stern gaze, I steeled my spine and made for the Don's study.
The walk felt endless, apprehension rising with every step. So much hinged on how the Don reacted to what I showed him. Would he believe Luca's lies that I plotted against him? Or would the undeniable truth of his written words damn him outright?
I paused outside the imposing double doors, smoothing my dress with a shaky breath. It was now or never. I knocked twice.
"Enter," came the Don's gravelly voice.
The room was dim, heavy curtains drawn over the windows. He sat behind his desk, face half in shadows. I thought I glimpsed surprise in his eyes when he saw it was me.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked, voice neutral.
I dipped into a deep curtsy. "Forgive the intrusion, Don Bianchi. I must speak with you about a...delicate matter."
He arched one brow, gesturing for me to sit. I perched on the edge of the proffered chair, back straight as a rod. My fingers twisted together in my lap, betraying my anxiety. With great effort, I stilled them.
"Well?" he prompted when I did not immediately speak. "I'm a busy man, girl. Out with it."
I took a deep breath. "I have uncovered a betrayal most foul. Something that threatens us all if left unchecked."
The Don's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. I hurried on before I lost my nerve.
"It's Luca. He...he is not who you believe." I looked down, as if ashamed to speak the words. "I have evidence of his plots against you. His own writings, confessing terrible things."
Silence stretched heavy as a shroud. I risked glancing up at the Don through my lashes. His face had gone very still, eyes hard as flint.
"You come to me with accusations against my own blood?" His voice was soft, but fury simmered beneath. "On what grounds?"
With shaking fingers, I retrieved the journal from my dress and placed it reverently on the desk before him. Luca's handsome script on the open page bore words of unmistakable vitriol against his father.
"This is your son's private ledger. I happened upon it quite by chance. Just look inside. His own hand implicates him."
The Don regarded me icy calm for long moments as I held my breath. Finally he reached out to take the journal, slowly leafing through the incriminating pages. Luca had damned himself thoroughly.
When the Don finally looked back at me, his eyes smoldered. "How did you come by this?"
I twisted my fingers, wide-eyed and earnest. "I found it, my lord. It was misplaced in the library. But once I saw the contents..." I let my voice tremble. "I knew it was my duty to show you."
The Don placed the journal gently atop his desk. He seemed to be waging some fierce internal battle. When at last he spoke, his tone was grave.
"Do you understand the magnitude of these accusations you bring before me?"
I lifted my chin. "I speak only the truth. However difficult."
We stared at one another. After a long silence, he gave a single sharp nod and rose from his chair.
"Wait here."
He swept from the study in a swirl of coattails. Alone, I sagged back in my seat as the tension drained from my limbs. It was done. For better or worse, my desperate gambit had been played. Now fate would run its course.
Raised voices echoed suddenly beyond the study doors. I straightened, straining to hear the muffled commotion. Minutes later, the doors were flung wide. Two guards entered, dragging a disheveled figure between them. Luca.
I shot to my feet as they forced a snarling, spitting Luca to his knees before the desk. His expensive jacket was torn, face mottled with rage. The Don swept in behind them, fury carving deep lines in his brow.
"You deceitful snake," he thundered at his son. "I gave you everything! And this is how you repay me?"
He snatched up the journal, shaking it in Luca's face. Luca's eyes glittered with malice as they landed on me cowering nearby.
"Ah. So that's where my ledger went. Tell me, Father," he sneered, "did the little dove tell you how she tried to seduce me first? How she begged me to help her take your place?"
Outrage stole my breath. "You vile liar! I never-"
"Silence!" The Don slammed a fist down, making me jump. He loomed over Luca like the wrath of gods. "Your forked tongue will weave no more falsehoods in this house. I have seen the contents of this journal. Your own hand betrays you."
Luca strained against the men holding him. "She has deceived you, old man! Can you not see her game?" He shot me a look of pure loathing. "Playing the devoted daughter, worming into your heart. She means to cut it out, mark my words!"
The Don gestured curtly. At once, the guards began dragging a struggling Luca back toward the doors.
"No! She's poisoned your mind against me!" Luca roared. "You will regret this!"
His string of vile curses lingered even after the study doors had slammed shut. In the ringing silence left behind, I hesitantly lifted my gaze to the Don. His wrath lingered, jaw clenched tight beneath his beard.
"Thank you kindly for the warning, girl," he bit out. "Few would show such bravery."
I let out a quavering breath. "I only wish to prove my loyalty, my lord."
He regarded me closely. "Oh? Out of loyalty alone?" He slammed his fists on the desk, making me jump. "Do not take me for a fool! What is it you desire, truly?"
I trembled before his anger but did not retreat. "Only to serve this family, my lord. And protect it from those who seek to destroy it."
He searched my face with flinty eyes. After an endless moment, he gave a grunt that might have been approval...or warning.
"Go then. You are dismissed."
I dropped into my most respectful curtsy before scurrying from the study on weak legs. As I climbed to the sanctuary of my rooms, one thought rattled around my mind - I had survived my first direct strike against Luca. But surely this new viper with his nest threatened would only strike back harder now that I had drawn blood.
Over the next few days, the estate buzzed with gossip over Luca's abrupt absence. Some whispered he had been sent away on urgent business, others that he was locked in the dungeons for some unspecified disgrace. I kept my head down through it all.
On the third day, I was reading in the solarium when raised voices drifted in from the open window. Curious, I crept closer to peer outside.
There stood Marco deep in heated discussion with another man, gesticulating angrily. As I watched, the man thrust a small pouch into Marco's hand before turning to stride off toward the stables. Marco's shoulders slumped as if in defeat. Dread stirred in my gut. What ill business was this?
Before I could slip away, Marco glanced up, noticing me. His eyes flashed with alarm, but just as quickly the shutters came down. My friend was keeping secrets from me now. The realization cut deep.
At dinner that night, the Don was in a black mood despite the lavish roasted meats and imported wines. He slammed down his goblet so hard the contents sloshed over, staining the pristine tablecloth.
"Damn that boy," he growled. "Even exiled, he finds new ways to vex me."
I hesitated, then asked carefully, "Has there been some word, my lord?"
The Don turned his thunderous gaze on me. "Nothing that concerns you, girl. Eat your meal."
Chastened, I lowered my eyes and obeyed. But later that night, as I prepared for bed, a shadow by the balcony doors made my blood run cold. I had left them open to enjoy the night breeze. Now, an intruder lurked just out of sight.
Heart in my throat, I reached silently for the fire iron near my bed. "Who goes there? Show yourself!"
At my challenge, the shadow glided forward into the moonlight. Luca. My grip tightened on my makeshift weapon.
"Get out," I hissed. "I'll summon the guards."