Chapter 15: Countdown to Midnight (Elena's POV)
The rest of the day drags slow and heavy. We stay in the penthouse windows closed curtains drawn. No one talks much. Matteo paces the living room phone in hand making quiet calls to his men setting up the meet for tomorrow night. Luca sits on the couch cleaning his gun piece by piece fingers steady but eyes far away. Nico cooks something simple eggs toast coffee but nobody eats much.
I wander between rooms trying to stay busy. I take a long shower let hot water run over me until my skin turns pink. When I step out I wrap in a soft towel sit on the bed stare at the wall. The clock on the nightstand ticks loud every second closer to midnight tomorrow.
My phone stays silent after Daddy's last message. No more texts. No calls. Just quiet. The
