Chapter 13: The Extortion
The following day, Elena convinced Damiano that she wanted to go to the cathedral to light a candle for her late mother. Damiano, occupied with a shipment at the docks, sent her with Rafael and three guards.
"Stay outside," Elena told Rafael at the steps of the cathedral. "I need a moment of peace. Please."
Rafael hesitated but gestured for the men to hold their positions at the doors. "Five minutes, Elena. Then I'm coming in."
Elena slipped into the dim, cavernous sanctuary. The smell of incense and burning wax filled the air. She walked down the side aisle, her eyes scanning the shadows.
"You look expensive."
Elena spun around. Stepping out from behind a massive stone pillar was Marcus. He looked older, haggard, and desperate. His clothes were worn, and he had a nervous, twitchy energy about him.
"Marcus," Elena breathed, disgusted. "You faked your death. You left me pregnant and penniless, dodging your bookies."
"I did what I had to do to survive!" Marcus hissed, stepping closer. "And look at you! Wearing diamonds, sleeping with the biggest mob boss on the East Coast. You owe me, Elena."
"I owe you nothing," she spat, her eyes blazing. "You abandoned us."
"I am her father!" Marcus countered, his voice echoing slightly. "I have rights. And I have debts. A hundred thousand dollars, Elena. That's all I need. You get it for me by Friday, or I go to the New York Times. I’ll tell them all about Elena, the innocent maid, and how she stole my child and ran off with a killer."
"Damiano will destroy you if he finds out you exist," Elena warned, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and rage.
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"Which is why you aren't going to tell him," Marcus sneered. "Because you know he's a monster. You don't want his hands dirty with your mess. Friday, Elena. Or I burn your new perfect life to the ground."
He slipped out through a side door just as Rafael stepped into the main aisle, looking for her. Elena quickly turned to the altar, burying her face in her hands, pretending to pray while her entire world crumbled around her.
