Chapter 3 - The Brother's Shadow
Vincent Moretti stepped into the room.
At thirty-seven, Vincent was slighter than his older brother, with slicked-back dark hair, tailored gray suits, and an air of nervous authority that always made the household staff uneasy.
He stopped in the doorway, taking in the scene: Adrian on the floor, Dr. Reynolds packing his medical bag, Dante with his radio drawn, and Elena kneeling beside her daughter with the giant dog resting his head in the child's lap.
"What the hell happened here?" Vincent demanded, his voice sharp and controlled. "I heard a crash from my office."
"Your brother was poisoned, Vincent," Dante said, his tone flat and unreadable. He stepped slightly between Vincent and Adrian's body.
Vincent's eyes flickered toward the broken crystal glass on the floor, then back to Dante. "Poisoned? In his own home? That's impossible. Call an ambulance immediately!"
"I'm taking him in the private vehicle," Dr. Reynolds said, standing up. "He doesn't have time for a municipal response."
"I'll go with you," Vincent said instantly, taking a step toward his brother.
Titan let out a low, guttural growl that stopped Vincent mid-step.
The dog stood up from beside Sophia, his body instantly going rigid, his lips pulling back over his fangs as he glared at Vincent.
"Get that damn dog out of here!" Vincent hissed, backing up a step. "Why is he sitting next to a maid and her brat anyway?!"
"The 'brat' is the reason Dr. Reynolds was able to reach your brother alive, Vincent," Dante said coldly. He looked at two armed guards who had just arrived in the hallway. "Marcus, Leo—escort Mr. Vincent to the main living room. Nobody leaves the ground floor until I give the command."
"Are you out of your mind, Dante?!" Vincent shouted, his face reddening with anger. "I am a Moretti! You don't order me around in my family's house!"
"Adrian gave me absolute authority over estate security," Dante replied evenly. "Until he wakes up and tells me otherwise, this house is under lockdown."
Vincent glared at Dante, then cast a dark, lingering glance at five-year-old Sophia, who pulled closer to her mother's side.
"Take care of your little girl, Mrs. Castillo," Vincent said, his voice dropping into a terrifyingly soft register. "Children who notice too much tend to have accidents."
With that, Vincent turned on his heel and walked down the hallway under the watchful eyes of the two security guards.
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Elena felt a cold wave of terror sweep through her body. She clutched Sophia tightly, burying her face in her daughter's curls.
Titan trotted over, placing his broad head firmly on Elena's shoulder, offering a silent, heavy warmth against the cold fear taking root in her heart.
