Chapter 5 Shadows in the dark

CHAPTER FIVE

My jaw was locked so tight it hurt. The car sped down the road, headlights slicing through the darkness, but all I could see was red.

Elena was fuming beside me. "You lost the key?!" she snapped, eyes blazing. "Are you kidding me, Alaric? That key is everything. You know that better than anyone."

I let out a sigh, trying to stay level. "Relax, Elena."

She laughed-sharp and humorless. "Relax? Are you hearing yourself? How the hell are you so calm about this?"

Because I knew who had it.Caroline....no,Katherine.And I let her take it.

Elena grabbed my jacket, dragging me closer. "What are we going to do now, huh? If that key ends up in the wrong hands-"

I pulled her hand off me, jaw tight. "Scully, pull over," I snapped.

The driver didn't say a word. Just obeyed, the car slowing with a low hum as we pulled onto the side of the road.

"Get out," I said to Elena.

She blinked, confused. "What?"

"I said get out. I can't think straight with you going off on me every two seconds."

That came out harsher than I meant it. But it was too late.

She stared at me like I'd slapped her. "Alaric... I'm your consigliere. You're supposed to talk to me."

"If you don't get out of this car right now..." I trailed off. My voice had dropped to something cold and final. The look I gave her said the rest.

She swallowed hard, then nodded. "Of course," she whispered. She opened the door and stepped out without another word.

The second the door shut, Scully pulled back onto the road.

I leaned back in my seat, dragging a hand through my hair, fingers digging into my scalp. My thoughts were a mess. My chest was tight.

She was never supposed to be part of this.

Katherine. My wife.

She wasn't meant to ever know about the mafia world-let alone get dragged into it. I swore I'd protect her from this life. But today... I failed.

I couldn't stop thinking about the summit. About the moment I saw her. Blonde instead of brown, makeup masking her face, changing her name to Caroline Fisher like some kind of joke. But I knew her. Even from across the room.

I knew it was her.

She wouldn't have known about the key unless someone told her. Which meant someone got to her. Another family? A threat?

And the way she danced with me... she was desperate. I felt it in every movement. When her hand slid into my pocket, I knew exactly what she was doing. And I let her. Because stopping her would've meant dragging her in deeper.

I just wanted her out. Safe.

But who was she giving the key to?

I let out a shaky breath, pressing my palms to my face. This was spiraling fast.

Her father, Silas Morello, had been more than a boss. He was a legend. My mentor. Before he died, he made me promise I'd keep his family away from this world. That was why I married her in the first place.

I still remember the day I found her-crying on the side of the road, completely alone. I couldn't walk away. I didn't want to. I gave her a way out. I gave her safety. Or at least, I tried to.

But now?

She was in it. Whether she wanted to be or not.Whether I wanted it or not

And there was no going back.

I had to find out what was going on, who put her into it.

A few minutes later, we arrived at the house. As soon as the car pulled up to the house, I jumped out, barely waiting for it to stop. I rushed into the mansion panic clawing at my chest like a wild animal as myy eyes darted across the house, desperate-until I caught sight of Karen, Katherine's personal attendant, balancing a tray as she walked across the porch.

"Karen!" I called out, breath hitching.

She turned to face me, startled. Her blonde hair was pinned up in a tight bun, but loose strands had already started slipping out. Her brown eyes met mine, uncertain. "Yes... sir?"

"Is she back?" I asked, the words tumbling out in a rush.

She looked confused. "Sir?"

"My wife, Karen. Is she back yet?" My voice cracked a little. I didn't have the energy to hide it.

She stiffened, shifting the tray in her hands. "No, sir. I... I saw her run out this morning."

Morning?

My heart dropped. She'd been gone all day, and I hadn't noticed. What the hell was I doing?

Without saying another word, I turned and stormed upstairs, the weight of failure pressing on my chest. I'd promised to protect her. It was the one thing I swore on Silas's grave-that I would keep his daughter safe from this world.

And I was failing.

I slammed the door of my study and pulled out my phone, fingers trembling as I dialed her number.

It rang three times.Each second that passed made it harder to breathe. Then-

"Hello?" Her voice was soft. Cautious.

"Katherine," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, calm. "Where are you?"

There was a pause. "I just... took a walk," she said quietly.

Of course she would lie, she would not tell me about the summit,I swallowed hard. "Are you okay?"

Another pause. Long enough to make my skin prickle.

"Katherine," I said again, more gently this time.

"I'm fine," she replied, too quickly. "Is there a problem, Mr. Blackwood?"

I closed my eyes and let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "No, Katherine," I whispered, and hung up before I said anything I couldn't take back.

I sank into the nearest chair, pressing my hands to my face. My chest felt tight, my heart still racing. She was all Silas left behind. And I couldn't lose her. Not like this. Not because I wasn't paying attention.

I reached over to the intercom and pressed the button.

It rang twice before someone picked up. "Yes, boss?"

"Let me know the moment Katherine returns," I said quietly.

"Yes, sir." Click.

And then-silence.

Absolutely! Here's a more natural, emotional, and "humanized" version of your passage, keeping the core but with a softer, more personal tone:

---

Twenty minutes later

I was lying on my king-size bed, the room dimly lit and quiet except for the faint hum of the city outside. My eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, but my mind was miles away-wrapped up in thoughts of Katherine.

A soft knock pulled me back.

"Go away," I growled without turning over.

After a beat, a quiet voice said, "You asked me to see you... sir."

My heart skipped. Katherine.

I shot up and hurried to the door, pulling it open. She stood there, looking like herself-her blonde hair falling freely down her back, no makeup hiding her face.

"Katherine," I whispered, almost breathless, pulling her into a tight hug.

She stepped back a little, eyes searching mine. "Are you... drunk, sir?" she asked, worry threading through her voice.

No, I wasn't. But I'd poured enough whiskey down my throat to pretend I was. It was the only way I could keep my plan going.

"No," I slurred, fumbling into her pocket. My fingers brushed the stolen key, but also something else-a folded piece of paper. Curious, I slipped the paper out, leaving a fake key behind so she wouldn't get caught.

"Sir... please," she murmured, shrinking back, clearly uncomfortable.

I stepped away, swaying slightly.

"Maybe I should go," she said quietly, reaching for the door and closing it gently behind her.

The moment she left, I dropped the act and unfolded the paper in my hand.

Good job, Katherine. But the mission isn't over. The key you took is just one of four. One is hidden in Alaric's study. Get it, then contact me. You know what's at stake if you don't.

My jaw clenched so hard it hurt. Four keys... Four pieces that could open Silas's safe-the one holding secrets powerful enough to shake the entire Mafia world. And reveal Katherine's true identity, something Silas made me promise to keep hidden.

Only Caruso would want this. He'd always wanted Silas's empire, furious when I took over. Now he wanted to wipe out any evidence that could ruin him-and use Katherine to do it.

I didn't care about politics. But using Katherine like a pawn? That was unforgivable.

I heard a loud crash from my study next door. She was already trying to break in.

I ran my hand down my face, heart pounding. "Oh, Katherine," I muttered, gripping my bedroom door and stepping out. "What have you gotten yourself into?"

I burst into the study-empty.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught her fingers peeking from beneath my desk.

A small smile tugged at my lips as I fought back laughter.

My smile faded the moment I spotted a figure lurking behind the curtains-a man. Katherine wasn't alone. Who was he? A spy? Or worse... someone here to kill?

I quickly glanced back at Katherine, hiding under the desk. I had to get her out of here. Now.