Domenico showed me phone records on his tablet. "She made three calls to a blocked number the week before she appeared. We traced it. The number is connected to Marco's organization."
No. Not Livia. Not after everything we'd shared—
"She's been in contact with Marco's people," Alessio said, voice tight. "Right before she showed up."
"There has to be an explanation—"
"There is." Livia's voice came from the doorway.
We turned. She stood there in pajamas, pale but determined.
"I was monitoring Marco's cooperation filings," she said. "That number belongs to a legal document service that tracks federal cooperator disclosures. I've been following his case since his arrest."
Alessio's hand moved toward his weapon. "Explain. Now."
"My mother worked for a private investigation firm. She taught me how to access court records, track case filings, and monitor public disclosures." Livia pulled out her phone and showed a series of documents. "When Marco was convicted, I started tracking his cooperation agreement with prosecutors. I wanted to know if he'd ever mention me, acknowledge I existed."
She scrolled through the files. "Instead, I found he's been trading information for better conditions. And he's been asking about you, Valentina. Where you are. Whether he can request contact."
My blood ran cold. "He's looking for me?"
"He's obsessed. Every filing, he works it in. 'Where's my daughter? Is she safe?'" Livia's voice shook. "But it's not a concern. It's a strategy. He's positioning for something."
Domenico was cross-referencing on his tablet. "Preliminary check holds up. These files match public court records. I'll need more time for full verification, but so far, she's telling the truth."
"Why didn't you tell us from the beginning?" Alessio demanded.
"Because I wasn't sure you'd believe me! I'm Marco's secret daughter with convenient warnings—that's exactly what a spy would do." She looked at me desperately. "I needed you to trust me first. Then I could explain."
"So you lied," I said slowly.
"I withheld information. There's a difference." She stepped closer. "I've never spoken to Marco. Never met him. Never worked for him. I've been watching him, trying to understand what he's planning. And what I found scared me enough to risk everything to warn you."
Alessio exchanged a look with Domenico.
"Keep verifying," Alessio said. "Everything."
An hour later, Domenico confirmed it. "She's telling the truth. The service she used is legitimate—legal professionals use it to track cooperator disclosures. She's been monitoring the service. She's been tracking Marco's case for six months. Everything checks out."
Relief and fury warred in my chest.
"You still should have told us," I said to Livia.
"I know. I'm sorry. But you need to hear what I found." She pulled up more files. "Marco's building toward something. And you're at the center of it."
We gathered in the living room—me, Alessio, Domenico, Sofia, and Livia.
Agent Rodriguez joined us after Domenico briefed her.
Livia connected her phone to the TV and displayed transcripts.
"Three weeks ago, Marco started cooperating with prosecutors. Offering names, locations, evidence." Shehighlighted sections. "But he keeps steering conversations toward protective custody protocols —how cooperating witnesses and their families are relocated, what information gets shared with defendants."
"He's trying to find us," Alessio said flatly.
"And he started asking about visitation rights. 'I have a right to see my pregnant daughter.' Playing the concerned father." Livia met my eyes. "He's filed a formal request. Prosecutors are reviewing it. They don't understand what he really wants."
"Which is?" I asked, dread pooling in my stomach.
