Chapter 4: The Enemy Within
That night, Lorenzo demanded everyone out of the room.
Except Claraara.
Mateo refused at first.
Until Lorenzo spoke again.
“Unless you’re afraid.”
That did it.
The room emptied.
Door shut.
Silence.
Then Lorenzo looked at Claraara—not like a patient.
Like a general.
“My son is going to die.”
Claraara didn’t flinch.
“Then we should focus on your vitals first,” she said dryly.
Another flicker of amusement.
“You’re either very brave… or very stupid.”
“Usually both.”
That earned a breath of something almost like a laugh.
Then Lorenzo leaned forward slightly.
“Someone in this house betrayed us.”
Claraara’s pulse slowed—not sped up.
Instinct.
Training.
“Who?”
“If I knew,” Lorenzo whispered, “they’d already be dead.”
The storm outside returned, wind rattling the glass.
“I stayed silent,” he continued, “because the traitor was listening.”
Claraara’s mind clicked into place.
“You were waiting,” she said softly.
“Yes.”
“For someone they wouldn’t expect.”
May you like
Lorenzo’s eyes sharpened.
“You.”
