Chapter 7 - The Kensington Ultimatum
The encrypted satellite phone on the kitchen island rang violently.
It was a harsh, jarring sound that echoed through the quiet safe house.
Lily was finally asleep upstairs in a heavily fortified bedroom.
Beatrice was in the kitchen, brewing chamomile tea to settle her raging nerves.
Leo walked into the room, having finally changed out of his bloody clothes.
He wore a fitted black t-shirt and dark sweatpants, looking less like a CEO and more like a lethal predator.
He stared at the phone.
He knew exactly who was calling.
Mateo stepped into the kitchen, his expression grim.
"It's Don Kensington," Mateo said.
Leo picked up the phone and pressed the speaker button.
"Rossi," Leo said, his voice practically freezing the air in the room.
"Where is my daughter, you arrogant bastard?" an older, raspy voice barked through the speaker.
"Victoria is currently learning the consequences of touching what belongs to me," Leo replied smoothly.
Beatrice stopped stirring her tea, her spoon clinking lightly against the porcelain mug.
She tried to make herself small, backing away toward the shadows of the pantry.
"If you harm one hair on Victoria's head, I will wipe the Rossi family off the map," Don Kensington threatened.
"You already tried that two years ago, Don," Leo said, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper.
Beatrice froze.
Two years ago.
That was when the car bomb had killed Leo's wife.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Kensington scoffed, but there was a tremor of panic in his voice.
"I have proof," Leo lied flawlessly, baiting the trap.
"And I have Victoria."
"You send her back to Chicago right now, Rossi!"
"I will send her back," Leo promised.
He picked up a sleek hunting knife from the counter, turning it thoughtfully in the light.
"Piece by piece."
Leo hung up the phone.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Mateo cleared his throat.
"We don't actually have proof he ordered the bombing, Leo."
"No," Leo agreed, his eyes burning with vengeance. "But his reaction just gave him away."
Beatrice pressed her hand over her mouth, suppressing a gasp.
Leo's head snapped toward the pantry, spotting her instantly.
His hardened expression softened the moment he saw her wide, terrified eyes.
"Mateo, give us a minute," Leo ordered.
Mateo nodded and silently slipped out the back door to check the perimeter.
Leo walked slowly toward Beatrice.
She wanted to step back, but her legs refused to move.
"You heard that," Leo stated quietly.
"He killed her," Beatrice whispered. "He killed Lily's mother."
"He ordered the hit," Leo corrected, stepping into her personal space.
"And now he sent men to kill you and Lily."
Leo reached out, gently wrapping his fingers around her wrist to pull her out of the shadows.
"I'm scared," Beatrice admitted, a single tear slipping down her cheek.
Leo wiped it away with his thumb.
"I know," he said softly.
"But you don't have to be."
He leaned down until his lips were a breath away from her ear.
"I am going to burn his entire empire to the ground for what he did to my family."
May you like
Leo pulled back, looking deeply into her eyes.
"And for what he tried to do to you."
