Chapter 3 Echoes of Blood

1. Dawn at the Estate-Aftermath and Alliances

The Callahan estate's daybreak was deceptive, soft sunlight flowing over marble columns, dew gleaming on hedges, yet inside, the house simmered with anxiety. Elena strolled the corridors with Mariana at her side, their strides synchronized but their hearts completely different.

Mariana donned dark sneakers and a leather jacket, half caution, half rebellion. Her eyes were gloomy, scrutinizing each entryway, as though expecting death to step out from behind curtains.

"You rest, Elena whispered. "You need strength.

Mariana's lips parted. Nose narrow, cheekbones high, traits Elena recognized but wished she hadn't. "Rest... in this place? That's a luxury that war doesn't provide me.

Elena rested her palm on her sister's arm gently. "True. But trust me, this stronghold saves lives. Even yours.

Mariana glanced at her, tense. "Do you believe me?

Elena didn't hesitate. "I do.

The sisters shared a gaze neither completely understood, not yet. Families weren't established overnight. But the germ of sisterhood had been sown.

2. Morning Briefing-Unspoken Loyalties

Luca erected the quartered command room. Screens flickered with maps, black-market routes, and surveillance logs.

"File-check these, he added, sliding Mariana's suitcase across the table. " She's clean. No records. No background.

Dante didn't look up. "I expected surprises. But not biological ones.

Mariana rubbed her arms; she'd slept five hours, Elena only two.

Elena spoke before emotion choked her. "We protect her. Like you protect me.

Dante's amber gaze tightened on Mariana. "What does she want?

"She said... the inheritance. My place here. Elena's voice quivered, but she pressed on. "And maybe closure.

Dante leaned back. "Inheritance? And loyalty. Which I can't guarantee.

Mariana glanced at him stubbornly. "Then I don't want blood money. I desire purpose. And maybe I can earn it.

Dante's jaw clenched. "Everything here must be earned. Or taken.

Silence descended over the room like ash.

3. Elena's Solitude-Love, Guilt, Power

Later, Elena visited her private study, a space filled with sunlight and antique books, a safe sanctuary within the castle. She closed the door, collapsing into a leather chair.

She pushed her hands to her face, the events replaying: the gunshots, Luca's desperation, and Dante's protective barrier.

And then... Mariana's face.

Blood and betrayal. Family and identity.

Elena traced the scar tissue on her own wrist, Milo's blade.

A tear trickled down her cheek.

She had to repair this.

Her hand flirted with a silver pendant, once Dante's mother's. A symbol of legacy, power, and expectation.

Elena leaned forward. If I fail, everyone dies.

She inhaled, wiped her cheek, and stood.

4. Matteo's At-Home Encounter-A Pawn's Warning

Matteo, Elena's former bodyguard from Italy, appeared unexpectedly, jet-black hair slicked, face lined with concern.

He stepped inside uninvited, greeted by Esme, Luca, and a warning gun before he paused.

"Elena, he replied quietly, hanging his coat.

"Elena, Luca repeated with mistrust.

She stepped forward. "He saved me once.

She smiled regretfully at Matteo. "Can we talk?

Downstairs, they stood by a fountain. Moon and sun shared the sky, two worlds merging.

"Elena. You're deeper than you know, Matteo began. " This sister... She's not alone.

Elena's heart quickened. "What are you saying?

"Think bigger. Mafia alliances, but something else-someone wanted her found. I Want you to find her.

"Elena. Someone with vested interests.

Mariana's reveal may be staged. Somebody's watching, someone older, smarter, and more dangerous.

Elena swallowed heavily. "So now... we play?

Matteo nodded. "You play. But you watch your back.

5. Dante's Attempted Reconciliation - Violence Loves Company

Later that evening, Dante discovered Elena alone in the garden. The estate smelled of jasmine and moist earth, gorgeous yet unsettling.

He extended his glove-covered hand.

Elena gazed at it a moment, then took it.

"I saw your conversation.

He waited.

She exhaled. "He wants me. He seeks purpose.

He squeezed her fingers. "He tested you tonight.

She shook her head. "No. He tried us.

He swallowed. "Family is born or made. We decide.

She met his gaze. "Together.

They moved together through the garden, silent but united.

Their fragility, their strength.

A couple forged in fire.

6. Syndicate Counter Strike-Flames in the Horizon

Midnight exploded into anarchy.

A high-rise fire downtown, three levels burning. Surveillance confirmed: Syndicate-marked accelerants.

Within minutes, Dante was in the command room, Elena and Mariana behind him.

"Zip codes correlate with former De Luca properties," Esme replied crisply. "Empty, but symbolic.

"Shock tactics, Dante said. "Show the world: De Luca insecurity. But what for?

Luca's fingers sped across the map. " To pull her out.

He pointed at Mariana. "She may be a ghost, but she's a living target.

Dante didn't answer.

Elena did.

"We stay. Together.

She lunged forward. "You'll need proof. I'll scout.

He stared.

She held firm. "I'll bring his head here, or mine. Stay away.

Dante started.

Then nodded.

7. On the Ground-Fire & Fury

Elena drove through winding streets, drenched, mayhem around her. Sirens, human panic, spilled light.

She exited at the peak of the blaze.

Black smoke roared from the windows. Flames painted the wall orange.

She took in the scene: one bodyguard hurt, another at her heels.

She swallowed fear. "Get her records, DNI, and fingerprints.

"They're after Mariana, Esme added.

Elena squared her shoulders. "Then we make sure we see their faces.

She snuck behind a fire team, dashed past hose streams, and entered the building.

Ash stung her lungs.

On the third floor lay debris, but no footprints.

She followed them.

Down the hall, a door.

It swung.

Dante stood there, gun drawn.

"Elena?

Her eyes moistened.

He shook his head. "This should've been mine.

She slid into his arms.

Their embrace splintered when gunfire burst behind them.

They dove apart.

Dante shot twice. An automobile exploded outside.

They bolted, sprinting into the dark.

8. Aftermath-Blood on White Tiles

Back at the estate, daylight seeped in.

They stood in the kitchen.

Two medics tended to a fireman and a guard.

Elena staggered against the marble counter.

Dante removed his jacket.

"It's not over, he murmured gently.

She touched his collarbone. "No. But if I died, I'd be glad knowing you loved me.

He kissed her palm.

"You're mine.

They stood there in the kitchen, silence broken only by her heartbeat.

9. Mariana's Stand - A Sister Finds Purpose

In the hall, Mariana trembled.

Elena discovered her.

"It's not your fault, she said.

Mariana shook her head. "They wanted to scare you... to make me run.

Elena clutched her arm. "Run to me.

Mariana looked up. Hurt and relief.

"I belong... somewhere, she muttered.

Elena kissed her cheek. "Here.

10. Epilogue-A New Contract Later, in Dante's War Room.

He stamped a red file: Operation Sister's Shield.

Elena and Dante stood united at the table.

Dante gazed at Elena.

"Tonight, the sun sets on their fire.

Elena closed her eyes.

"Yes.

He handed her the probation file.

The new business plan.

The truth regarding Mariana's identity.

Everything.

She opened it.

Her eyes expanded.