My stomach twisted. I already knew what that meant. I leaned up, brushing my lips against his. "Be safe."

And just like that, Lorenzo Ricci walked out the door, and as soon as the doors shut, my smile disappeared.

I sat in the driver's seat of my black Mercedees, gripping the wheel tightly. My fingers trembled slightly as I stared at the contact on the phone.

Santino De Luca.

I had spent the entire night thinking. There was no other choice. If I wanted to uncover everything, I had to take this deal.

My thumb hovered over the call button for only a second before pressing it.

The line barely rang before his smooth, amused voice came through. "I thought you'd call sooner."

"I accept your deal." I swallowed.

There was a long pause, then a slow chuckle. "Smart girl."

"Where do we meet?" I asked, my voice steady despite the way my heart pounded against my ribs.

"Pier Four. One hour." The call ended without another word.

~An Hour Later

The docks were nearly empty when I arrived, isolated from prying eyes—exactly the kind of place a man like Santino De Luca would choose for a meeting.

I spotted him standing near a sleek black car, dressed in a tailored suit that did nothing to soften the threatening aura surrounding him.

"Valeria Ricci." He greeted smoothly, his gaze lingering on me. "Or should I say, the woman who doesn't really know who she's married to?"

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to meet his gaze without wavering. "Tell me what you know."

Instead of answering, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a thick, confidential-looking medical report.

My breath hitched when he handed it to me.

My fingers trembled as I flipped through the pages—my stomach twisting violently as I reached the final section.

"Birth Record: Male, born premature but alive."

My hands were cold. The air around me disappeared.

"That's...." My voice cracked as I gripped the paper tighter. "That's impossible."

Santino leaned against his car, watching me like a predator. "Your last pregnancy, Valeria. The one you thought ended in another miscarriage?"

My heartbeat roared in my ears. "The baby was born alive." My body started shaking. "It was a boy. Someone took him from you." Santino spoke with a calm voice. "And I think you already know who."

Seraphina.

A sob tore through my throat, but I swallowed it back. "Where is he?"

Santino shrugged, watching me carefully. "I don't have that answer."