Chapter 1 - Over the Flames
Luca’s terrified scream cut through the music.
For one impossible second, nobody moved.
Carlo Russo stood beside the enormous stone fire pit in the center of the mansion courtyard.
And in his arms was Matteo’s fourteen-month-old son.
Held directly above the flames.
“MATTEO! SAVE LUCA!”
Elena Russo lunged toward Carlo, but Viola blocked her path.
The sixty-three-year-old matriarch didn’t look frightened.
She looked irritated.
As if Elena were ruining her party.
“Give me my baby!” Elena screamed.
Carlo tightened his grip.
Luca kicked helplessly, crying so hard his little face turned red.
Then the courtyard doors slammed open.
Matteo Russo saw his son.
And everything inside him changed.
He crossed the courtyard in seconds.
“Carlo.”
His older brother turned.
That was all the time Matteo needed.
He ripped Luca from Carlo’s arms and immediately placed the child against Elena’s chest.
“Take him.”
Elena crushed Luca against herself.
“I’ve got you. Mommy’s got you.”
Matteo turned slowly.
Viola stepped forward.
Her burgundy gown barely moved in the evening breeze.
Pearls gleamed at her throat.
“We were teaching your wife a lesson in respect.”
Matteo stared at her.
“You held my son over a fire.”
Carlo grabbed Matteo’s shoulder.
“Don’t talk to our mother like—”
Matteo spun and drove his fist into Carlo’s face.
Carlo crashed backward into a catering table.
Silver trays flipped.
Bread baskets flew.
Wine glasses shattered across the stone.
Guests screamed.
Carlo staggered up and charged.
Matteo kicked him hard in the stomach.
Carlo flew backward into a decorative screen.
Lanterns, ribbons, and branches collapsed over him.
Silence swallowed the courtyard.
Matteo walked through the wreckage.
Carlo looked up.
Bloodless.
Stunned.
Afraid.
Matteo stopped above him.
“You’re finished.”
Then Viola laughed.
Not nervously.
Coldly.
“You think this family belongs to you because Father left you a few shares?”
Matteo turned.
“No.”
He glanced toward Elena.
Then toward the leather folder sitting unopened beside Viola’s champagne glass.
“I think you held my son over a fire because Elena refused to sign that.”
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For the first time that night, Viola’s expression changed.
And Matteo knew he had finally hit the truth.
