Chapter 2 - The Black Card That Was Worth More Than Sienna’s Entire LifeNico took Sienna to his private residence.
Not his penthouse.
Not the mansion everyone knew.
A quiet townhouse behind a private gate.
Sienna looked around.
"This place is less terrifying."
"That's because no one knows about it."
"Except you."
"And you."
"That feels like a bad decision."
He almost smiled.
"You'll survive."
She glanced down.
"That's what people say before terrible things happen."
He walked into the kitchen.
"Tea?"
"I need whiskey."
"You're twenty-eight."
"And you're apparently a criminal."
He paused.
"Fair."
He poured her tea.
She stared at him.
"You actually made tea?"
"I can do more than intimidate waitresses."
"You carried me like a sack of potatoes."
"You were trying to run into gunfire."
"I was trying to see what was happening."
"Exactly."
She took the cup.
Their eyes met.
For a second, the room felt strangely normal.
Then Nico put the black card on the table.
"Where did your brother get this?"
Sienna stiffened.
"You know about my brother?"
"I know his name."
"How?"
"Because Daniel Brooks worked for my father."
Her heart stopped.
"My brother worked for the Valentes?"
"Not officially."
"Then what?"
"He was an informant."
Sienna stared.
"Daniel disappeared when I was nineteen."
"Yes."
"I thought he left because he was angry with me."
Nico looked down.
"He didn't leave voluntarily."
Silence.
"What happened?"
"Your brother discovered something."
"What?"
"Victor Santoro was planning an attack on my family."
"And Daniel knew?"
"Yes."
"Then where is he?"
Nico didn't answer.
Sienna felt her chest tighten.
"You know."
"I believe he's alive."
"You believe?"
"I've spent eleven years trying to prove it."
"Why?"
"Because he saved my life."
Sienna looked at him.
Her brother.
A stranger.
A connection she had never known.
Nico continued.
"Daniel gave me a list of names."
"Whose names?"
"People Victor planned to kill."
Sienna looked at the card.
"Was my name on it?"
"No."
"Then why is he watching me?"
"Because Daniel hid something."
"What?"
"The Valente ledger."
Sienna frowned.
"I don't know what that is."
"I believe you."
"Then why am I involved?"
"Because your mother received the ledger."
Sienna stared.
"My mother?"
"Yes."
"She died when I was sixteen."
"That's what we were told."
The room became silent.
Sienna suddenly remembered her mother.
Always locking drawers.
Always checking windows.
Always telling Sienna never to answer strange calls.
She remembered a silver key hidden inside a jewelry box.
She remembered asking what it opened.
Her mother had smiled sadly.
"Nothing you'll ever need."
Sienna looked at Nico.
"I have that key."
He went still.
"Where?"
"At my apartment."
"Then we go now."
"No."
He stopped.
"Why?"
"Because I'm not letting you drag me around like a prisoner."
"You are not a prisoner."
"You've kidnapped me."
"I rescued you."
"You carried me without asking."
"You were about to walk toward two armed men."
"I didn't know they were armed."
"I did."
She stared at him.
"I hate you."
"You've known me for three hours."
"You're efficient."
He smiled.
She hated that too.
They returned to her apartment under heavy security.
The place looked untouched.
Sienna opened the drawer.
The key was still there.
Nico examined it.
"Where did this come from?"
"My mother."
"This symbol."
He pointed to a tiny engraving.
It was the same crown as the black card.
Sienna's stomach tightened.
"What does it mean?"
"It means your mother wasn't who you thought she was."
They used the key at an old lockbox beneath her bed.
Inside was a cassette.
A photograph.
And a letter.
The letter was addressed to Sienna.
She opened it.
My daughter,
If you are reading this, then the past has found you.
Sienna's hands trembled.
You must trust the man who carries the black card.
She looked at Nico.
His expression changed.
The letter continued.
He will be the most frightening person in the room.
Do not let that make you afraid of him.
Sienna swallowed.
He owes your brother his life.
And you owe him yours.
The final line made her stop.
Do not give him the ledger until he tells you what happened to Daniel.
Sienna lowered the letter.
Nico looked at her.
"What does it say?"
"Nothing you need to know."
He almost laughed.
"Now you understand how frustrating secrecy is."
She folded the letter.
"Then tell me about Daniel."
Nico stared at her.
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Because your brother is alive."
Sienna froze.
"Where?"
May you like
Nico's answer was quiet.
"Inside Victor's organization."
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