Beneath the Mafia's Wings

Chapter 6: Victor’s Shadow

place her hands on, a heavy lamp, and tiptoed toward the door, with the lamp held in the air ahead of her.

“Who’s there?” she demanded; though trembling, she maintained her composure. The door suddenly swung open, and Amelia gasped, her grip tightening on the lamp. Lucien stood in the doorway, his expression stormy.

“What are you doing?” he asked sharply, his eyes flicking to the lamp in her hands.

“I heard something,” she said, lowering the lamp but not loosening her grip entirely.

“There was someone outside my room.”

Lucien’s gaze darkened, and he stepped inside, scanning the room with a predatory focus. After a moment, he turned back to her, his jaw tight. “There’s no one here, Amelia,” he said. “But I'm sure I heard…”

“You’re safe,” he interrupted, his tone firm.

“But I’ll double the security on this wing.”

Amelia didn’t argue, but as Lucien left, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he wasn’t telling her everything. When she turned back to the bed, her blood ran cold, her eyes widening alongside her mouth as she used her left hand to cover her mouth. The rose was gone.