The Missing File
1206 Words
The room went completely silent.
Vito stared at the empty drawer.
The Project 17 file was gone.
Lina watched him carefully.
Vito?
He didn't answer.
Marco walked closer.
Boss, nobody could have entered this office without the alarm going off.
Vito looked at him.
Then someone knew how to turn it off.
Marco's face changed.
One of us.
Yes.
Lina's stomach tightened.
Could they still be inside the house?
Vito looked toward the door.
That's what we're going to find out.
He pulled out his phone.
Lock every entrance. Nobody leaves.
Marco nodded and walked away.
Lina stayed where she was.
Vito turned toward her.
Come here.
She frowned.
Why?
Because I need you close.
She walked over.
Vito lowered his voice.
If anything happens, you stay behind me.
I can protect myself.
I know.
He looked into her eyes.
But I still want you behind me.
Lina didn't argue.
For some reason, hearing him say it that way made her feel safer.
A loud sound came from downstairs.
Everyone froze.
Vito reached for his gun.
Stay here.
Lina grabbed his arm.
Don't leave me.
Vito looked down at her hand. Then at her face.
I'm not going anywhere.
He walked toward the door.
Lina followed.
I said stay here.
And I said I'm not staying alone.
Vito sighed.
Fine.
They walked downstairs together.
Two guards were standing near the front door.
What happened, Vito asked.
One of them pointed toward the kitchen.
We heard something.
Vito moved first.
The kitchen was empty.
A glass was broken on the floor.
Lina looked around.
Someone was here.
Vito crouched beside the broken glass.
He touched the floor.
Then he looked at his fingers.
Fresh.
Lina's heart started beating faster.
Where did they go?
Vito looked toward the back door.
It was open.
He immediately ran outside.
Marco and the guards followed.
Lina stayed at the door.
She could hear shouting outside.
Then footsteps.
A few seconds later, Vito came back.
His face was hard.
Nothing.
Lina looked at him.
Then how did they get out?
Vito shook his head.
They didn't.
What?
He looked around the house.
They're still here.
Lina's blood went cold.
The search took almost an hour.
Every room.
Every closet.
Every hallway.
Nothing.
No person.
No weapon.
No sign of anyone.
Lina finally sat down on the stairs.
This is impossible.
Vito stood beside her.
Not impossible.
Then what?
Someone is very good at hiding.
Lina looked at him.
Who could do this?
Vito was quiet.
Someone who knows my house.
Your guards?
Maybe.
Marco?
Vito immediately shook his head.
No.
You trust him?
With my life.
Lina looked at Vito.
Then who?
Before he could answer, his phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
It was an unknown number.
He answered.
Who is this?
Nobody spoke.
Then a man's voice came through.
You should have left the past alone.
Vito's eyes became cold.
Where are you?
You already know.
The call ended.
Lina looked at him.
Who was that?
Vito didn't answer.
His phone buzzed again.
A message.
A picture.
Lina.
Standing outside the shop.
The picture had been taken that morning.
Vito's hands tightened around the phone.
There was another message.
SHE IS NEXT.
Lina saw the screen.
Her face went pale.
They're watching me.
Vito looked at her.
Yes.
She swallowed.
What do they want?
Me.
She shook her head.
No.
Vito frowned.
They keep using me to get to you.
I know.
Then let me help.
Vito stared at her.
You already are.
Later that night, Lina sat in the living room.
She couldn't stop looking at the photograph.
Someone had been watching her.
Someone had been close enough to take that picture.
Maybe outside her shop.
Maybe outside Vito's house.
Maybe even now.
Vito walked in carrying two cups of tea.
He handed one to her.
She looked at it.
Tea?
You haven't eaten.
Tea isn't food.
I know.
She smiled slightly.
You don't know how to take care of people.
Vito sat beside her.
I'm learning.
The words surprised both of them.
Lina looked at him.
You really are changing.
Don't tell anyone.
She laughed softly.
For a few seconds, they forgot about the danger.
Then Lina looked down.
Vito?
Hm?
If my mother is alive...
He waited.
What if she doesn't want to see me?
Vito turned toward her.
She left everything behind to save you.
That doesn't mean she still loves me.
It does.
You don't know that.
I do.
How?
Vito's eyes softened.
Because I would do the same.
Lina stared at him.
For someone you love?
He nodded.
Yes.
Who?
He didn't answer.
She knew.
She looked away before he could see the color rise in her face.
Vito moved closer.
Lina.
What?
Look at me.
She did.
For a moment, neither spoke.
His hand slowly reached for hers.
Their fingers touched.
Then suddenly—
CRASH!
The window behind them shattered.
Vito pulled Lina down.
A bullet hit the wall.
Get down!
Guards rushed into the room.
Another shot came.
Vito covered Lina with his body.
Are you hurt?
No.
Stay here.
He stood and moved toward the window.
Marco ran in.
Boss!
Find the shooter.
Marco ran outside.
Lina looked at Vito.
His face was full of anger.
But then he looked at her.
And his anger disappeared.
You okay?
She nodded.
Then she noticed something on the floor.
A small black object.
She picked it up.
Vito.
He turned.
What?
She held it out.
It was a USB drive.
There was one word written on it.
ELENA.
Vito stared at it.
Lina's heart started pounding.
My mother.
Vito took the drive.
We need a computer.
---
Ten minutes later, they were in Vito's office.
The drive was connected.
One file appeared.
PROJECT 17 — FINAL RECORD
Vito clicked it.
A video opened.
The screen showed a woman sitting in a dark room.
Lina stopped breathing.
She knew that face.
Even after all these years.
Her mother's eyes.
Her mother's voice.
Vito...
He looked at her.
Lina couldn't speak.
The woman on the screen looked directly into the camera.
If you're watching this, then my daughter has finally found the truth.
Lina covered her mouth.
Her mother continued.
Vito, if you are with her, protect her.
Vito leaned closer to the screen.
Then Elena said something that made both of them freeze.
Because Don Rocco is not the only person who knows about Project 17.
The video suddenly cut to black.
Lina stared at the screen.
That's it?
Vito's eyes narrowed.
No.
He looked at the USB drive.
There has to be more.
A message appeared on the screen.
PART TWO WILL BEGIN WHEN LINA FINDS THE LOCKER.
Lina looked at Vito.
The locker.
Vito nodded.
Central Station.
She stood.
Then that's where we're going.
Vito grabbed his jacket.
This time, we don't tell anyone.
Lina looked at him.
Not even Marco?
Vito shook his head.
Not even Marco.
And neither of them noticed the small red light blinking on the camera in the corner of the room.
Someone was watching them.
Again.
This is a perfect cliffhanger for Chapter 14.
Locker at Central Station + Elena’s video + traitor watching them.
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