Chapter 3 - The Safe House in the Woods
The heavy iron gate of the Salvini estate swung open, allowing the bullet-scarred SUV to tear up the gravel driveway.
Surrounded by dense pine forests and guarded by a private security detail, the sprawling stone mansion was a fortress designed to withstand a small army.
Audrey sat in the passenger seat, staring out at the imposing architecture with wide, disbelieving eyes.
“Is this where you live?” she asked, her voice hollow as the vehicle rolled to a halt under the grand portico.
“This is where we are safe for tonight,” Joseph replied, opening her door and offering a steady hand to help her out of the car.
Audrey ignored his hand, stepping down onto the wet gravel on her own power, her jaw set with stubborn pride.
“I don’t want your protection, Mr. Salvini,” Audrey said, crossing her arms against the chilly night air. “I want my mother. Where is she?”
Marcus stepped up beside them, carrying a small cardboard box recovered from the ransacked apartment.
“Boss, the Outfit’s cleanup crew was already scrubbing the perimeter by the time we left,” Marcus reported quietly. “They didn't leave a single fingerprint, but I found this hidden under Rose’s mattress.”
Joseph took the box from Marcus, his eyes softening as he lifted out a small, worn baby blanket embroidered with tiny yellow ducks.
“She kept it,” Joseph whispered, running his calloused thumb over the fabric. “She kept it all these years.”
Audrey watched the exchange, a strange knot forming in her stomach as she saw the genuine agony etched across the feared mafia boss's face.
“You really didn't know I existed, did you?” Audrey asked, her defensive tone softening just a fraction.
“I swear to you on my life, Audrey, I didn't,” Joseph said, looking directly into her eyes with total sincerity. “If I had known Rose was pregnant, I would have burned Chicago to the ground to keep both of you safe.”
“Well, you didn't, and now someone has taken her,” Audrey said, turning away to wipe a stray tear from her cheek.
Joseph motioned for Marcus to secure the perimeter before turning his full attention back to the young woman standing in front of him.
“Come inside, Audrey,” Joseph said gently. “We have medical supplies, food, and secure communication lines. We will find her.”
Inside the mansion, high-vaulted ceilings and heavy mahogany furniture gave the space a cold, intimidating grandeur that matched its owner.
A middle-aged housekeeper rushed out from the hallway, stopping short when she saw the young waitress standing beside Joseph.
“Mr. Salvini? Is everything alright?” the housekeeper asked, her eyes darting between Joseph and Audrey.
“Prepare the master guest suite on the second floor, Elena,” Joseph instructed. “And bring up a pot of strong tea and some food immediately.”
Elena nodded once, casting one final curious glance at Audrey before hurrying away toward the kitchens.
“You don't have to treat me like a prisoner,” Audrey muttered, sinking slowly into a velvet armchair near the massive stone fireplace.
“You are my guest, Audrey—more than that, you are my flesh and blood,” Joseph said, pulling up a chair to sit directly across from her. “Now, tell me everything your mother ever said about the summer of 2004.”
Audrey sighed, leaning her head back against the plush upholstery as she tried to dig through her earliest childhood memories.
“She never talked about it much,” Audrey began, staring into the flickering embers of the fire. “Whenever I asked about my father, she would just touch the tattoo on her wrist and stare out the window.”
“Did she ever mention a name? Anyone who was hunting us back then?” Joseph pressed, leaning forward with intense concentration.
“Only once,” Audrey said, her eyes snapping open as a forgotten memory surfaced. “She said a man named Viktor wanted to tear our world apart, and that the only way to survive was to disappear.”
Joseph stood up so fast his chair scraped loudly against the hardwood floor, his face draining of all color.
“Viktor Volkov,” Joseph hissed, his fists clenching at his sides. “I thought I buried him ten years ago.”
Marcus burst through the double doors of the study, holding a ringing satellite phone in his outstretched hand.
“Boss, it’s a secure line,” Marcus said, his voice tense. “They’re using a voice modulator, but they want to talk to you directly.”
Joseph snatched the phone from Marcus’s grip, pressing it sharply against his ear with a dark, lethal glare.
“Speak,” Joseph demanded.
May you like
A raspy, distorted laugh echoed through the receiver, sending a chill straight down Joseph’s spine.
“Hello, Joseph,” a synthetic voice hissed. “Did you really think you could hide Rose Bennett away forever? If you want to see her alive again, come alone to the old rail yards at midnight.”
