We stared at each other in the dim room. Not Piero—he'd been kidnapped, tortured. Not Giulio—he'd led the rescue.
But there were others. Distant cousins. Extended family.
"It could be a lie," Paola said, her voice tight with fear. "Viktor's people trying to create paranoia."
"Or it could be true."
My mind raced through the timeline. We'd never figured out how Viktor knew to grab Piero that exact morning.
"I think someone's been feeding him information all along. And they're still here. Still close to us."
The implications were staggering. A spy in the Monti family. Someone with access to schedules, plans, security protocols.
Paola's hand went protectively to her stomach. "If there's a spy in your organization—in your family—"
"Then we're not safe. Even with Viktor locked up. Even here."
She looked around the hospital room with new eyes. The guard outside could be compromised. The nurses. Anyone. "What do we do?"
My jaw set. Decision made. "We find them. Before they can do more damage."
"How? It could be anyone."
"Not anyone. Someone with access. Someone who knew our movements." I started making a mental list. Names. Faces. "We narrow it down. Watch everyone. Trust no one until we know."
"Cesare, that includes people you've known for years. People you consider family."
"I know."
The words were bitter. Tasted like betrayal and blood.
"But someone helped Viktor kidnap my brother. And I will find out who."
The paranoia settled over us like fog, thick and choking. Paola lay back down beside me. But neither of us slept.
We both knew the truth now.
The threat wasn't just Viktor.
The threat was inside our own walls.
And we had no idea who it was.
CHAPTER 19
Paola
Ididn't sleep.
Couldn't sleep.
I lay in the hospital bed beside Cesare, both of us staring at the ceiling whilst the city woke beyond the window. That text message played on repeat in my mind:Someone in your family helped him.
"You should sleep," Cesare murmured, voice rough with exhaustion. "The baby needs you to rest."
"Can't. Every time I close my eyes, I think about who it could be."
"So do I."
