Chapter 3 - The Man Who Came for Sophia
Dante moved first.
He pushed Emma behind him.
“Stay here.”
Emma refused.
“That is my daughter.”
Dante looked at her.
“And mine.”
They moved toward the nursery together.
The intruder had already disappeared.
But the bassinet was empty.
Emma froze.
“No.”
Dante's face became terrifyingly still.
“Lock the floor.”
Security guards rushed in.
Derek stood against the wall.
He looked like he was about to collapse.
Emma turned on him.
“You knew.”
“I didn't.”
“You knew someone was coming!”
Derek shook his head.
“I swear.”
Dante grabbed his collar.
“Who has access to this hospital?”
Derek swallowed.
“My sister's friend works here.”
Dante released him.
“Name.”
“Marissa.”
Dante looked at his security chief.
“Find her.”
Minutes later, Sophia was found inside a supply room.
The baby was unharmed.
A nurse had moved her there after noticing an unfamiliar man near the nursery.
Emma held Sophia so tightly she began crying.
Dante stood several feet away.
He did not touch the baby.
Emma noticed.
“You could have.”
“I know.”
“Why didn't you?”
“Because she's yours.”
Emma looked at him.
“And yours.”
Dante nodded.
“I won't take anything from you.”
That sentence affected her more than any threat could have.
Then Dante turned toward Derek.
“You're coming with me.”
Emma stepped between them.
“No.”
Dante's eyes remained calm.
“Your daughter was almost taken because of him.”
“I need answers.”
“So do I.”
Derek suddenly whispered:
“They'll kill me.”
Emma stared.
“Who?”
Derek looked toward Dante.
“The people I borrowed from.”
Dante's expression hardened.
“Who?”
Derek swallowed.
“The Valenti organization.”
Emma had heard the name.
Everyone had.
Dante had spent years fighting them.
Derek had not merely borrowed money.
May you like
He had borrowed it from Dante's enemy.
And now they knew Dante had a daughter.
