Chapter 8 - The Traitor Inside The HouseThe false auction was announced 48 hours later.
Cipriani Holdings released a carefully worded statement explaining that 3 Atlantic City properties were undergoing “strategic portfolio evaluation” and that acquisition proposals would be considered from qualified private investors.
Financial publications immediately began speculating.
Industry analysts estimated the combined value at more than $400 million.
Several legitimate investors contacted Matteo.
Two companies made preliminary offers.
And exactly 11 hours after the announcement, a newly registered investment entity named Meridian Coastal Partners requested access to the confidential bidding materials.
Kyle placed the company profile on the dining table inside the penthouse.
Ayla sat beside Matteo while Kitty occupied the opposite chair and ate pasta she had stolen from his plate.
“You ordered your own food,” Matteo said.
“Yours tastes better.”
“It is identical.”
“It tastes better when stolen.”
Kyle sat next to her.
“That is one of the many things I find attractive.”
Matteo looked at Ayla.
“Your friend has corrupted my capo.”
“He seemed corrupt before meeting her.”
“Thank you,” Kyle said.
Matteo ignored him and returned to the file.
“Meridian Coastal Partners.”
“Created 6 days ago,” Kyle said.
“Registered in Delaware. Nominee directors. Funding routed through Luxembourg.”
“Dante.”
“Almost certainly.”
Ayla studied the documents.
“What did they request?”
“Property financials, environmental reports, casino licenses, security infrastructure—”
“Security infrastructure?”
Everyone looked at her.
Kyle nodded slowly.
“It is included in large commercial due diligence.”
“Would a legitimate buyer ask before demonstrating financial capacity?”
Matteo’s gaze sharpened.
“No.”
Ayla pointed toward the page.
“He is not only interested in buying.”
“He wants floor plans,” Kyle said.
“Or he wants us to know he wants them,” Matteo added.
Ayla leaned back.
“Another layer of fear.”
Kitty looked between them.
“I understand approximately 40 percent of this conversation.”
Kyle kissed her temple.
“That is enough.”
“What I understand,” Kitty continued, “is that the psycho sending photographs now wants architectural diagrams.”
“Correct.”
“And none of you seem appropriately alarmed.”
Matteo looked at her.
“We are extremely alarmed.”
“You are eating tiramisu.”
“I refuse to face organized crime without dessert.”
Ayla laughed.
The normality lasted less than 10 seconds.
Kyle’s telephone rang.
He answered.
His expression immediately changed.
“When?”
He stood.
“Lock the building.”
Matteo was already on his feet.
“What?”
Kyle ended the call.
“Someone accessed the lower security server.”
“External?”
“No.”
The room became silent.
“Internal credentials.”
Ayla felt the same cold sensation she had experienced when opening the first photograph.
Matteo’s hand immediately reached for hers.
“Whose credentials?”
Kyle hesitated.
“Mine.”
Kitty stopped moving.
Ayla looked at Kyle.
“That is impossible.”
“Yes.”
His voice became hard.
“My primary authentication token is physically on me.”
Matteo’s gaze turned dangerous.
“Backup?”
“Locked in security control.”
“Then someone cloned access.”
Kyle was already typing.
“I am checking.”
Matteo walked toward the windows.
“Which server?”
“Transportation schedules, residential rotation, medical escort planning.”
Ayla’s chest tightened.
Her medical schedule.
The photographs.
The surveillance.
The enemy did not merely know Cipriani security.
Someone had entered it.
Matteo turned.
“Everyone in this building remains until cleared.”
Kitty stood.
“I need to work in 3 hours.”
“No.”
“I am a nurse.”
“You are also close to my wife and therefore a possible target.”
“I cannot simply not appear.”
Kyle touched her arm.
“I will call the hospital administrator.”
Kitty looked at him.
“You cannot solve nursing shortages with mafia influence.”
Matteo was already reaching for his telephone.
“I own part of the hospital group.”
Kitty stared.
“Of course you do.”
Ayla watched the room become increasingly tense.
“Matteo.”
He looked toward her.
“Do not lock everyone down blindly.”
His expression hardened.
“Ayla.”
“That is what Dante wants.”
“An internal breach changes the situation.”
“Yes.”
She stood carefully.
“But if you suddenly treat every employee as a traitor, he wins before we identify anyone.”
“He already obtained access.”
“Then investigate access.”
“I intend to.”
“Quietly.”
Matteo approached her.
“You are asking me to ignore a security breach involving our home.”
“I am asking you not to show the traitor that we know.”
Kyle stopped typing.
“She is right.”
Matteo looked offended by the repeated pattern.
“Again?”
Kyle shrugged.
“Unfortunately.”
Ayla took the tablet from him.
“What information could the intruder see?”
Kyle pointed.
“Routes. Guard schedules. Vehicle assignments. Some medical appointments.”
“What could they change?”
“Nothing without secondary approval.”
“Could they see tomorrow?”
Kyle paused.
“Yes.”
Ayla looked at Matteo.
“What is scheduled tomorrow?”
His expression became dark.
“Your baby shower.”
Kitty swore.
The event had been planned for weeks.
Giulia, Matteo’s sister, had flown from Italy with her husband and children.
Kitty had organized approximately half of New York despite Ayla repeatedly requesting something small.
The shower was supposed to be held inside a private ballroom at one of Matteo’s hotels.
More than 70 guests had been invited.
Security plans had been extensive.
And now somebody with internal access knew everything.
“We cancel,” Matteo said.
“No,” Ayla replied.
“No discussion.”
“There needs to be discussion.”
“There does not.”
“Matteo.”
“My pregnant wife will not attend an event whose security plan has been compromised.”
Ayla understood his fear.
This time she nearly agreed.
Nearly.
Then she looked at Kyle.
“If the traitor believes we do not know about the breach, what happens tomorrow?”
“They continue according to whatever plan exists.”
“And if we cancel?”
“They know we detected them.”
Ayla turned toward Matteo.
“The baby shower continues.”
“No.”
“We change everything secretly.”
“No.”
“We use the event.”
“No.”
“Would you stop saying no before I finish?”
“No.”
Kitty raised her hand.
“I am enjoying marriage from a safe observational distance.”
Kyle looked at her.
“We will be there soon.”
“Do not threaten me.”
Ayla ignored them.
“Matteo, listen.”
He crossed his arms.
She recognized the posture.
He had already decided.
That only made her more determined.
“We move the actual event.”
“What?”
“Guests receive a last-minute location change.”
Kyle immediately understood.
“Only through secure direct contact.”
“Yes.”
Ayla pointed toward the schedule.
“But the original ballroom remains prepared.”
Matteo’s gaze sharpened.
“A decoy.”
“Exactly.”
“Absolutely not.”
Ayla stared.
“You have not even heard the dangerous part yet.”
“That sentence guarantees my refusal.”
“The original location runs with security disguised as staff.”
Kyle began smiling.
“We watch who appears.”
Matteo looked at him.
“Stop encouraging her.”
“I cannot. This is excellent.”
Ayla continued.
“If Dante or whoever works for him acts based on the compromised schedule, we identify the team.”
Matteo looked down at her pregnancy.
“And you remain nowhere near that hotel.”
“Obviously.”
His expression softened slightly.
“Continue.”
The real baby shower would move to Giulia’s temporary residence inside another Cipriani property whose security system was independent.
Only immediate family and verified guests would receive the location.
Phones would be checked.
Transportation would change.
The original hotel would appear fully operational.
Fake arrival schedules would remain visible.
A vehicle resembling Ayla’s would arrive.
From the outside, nothing would appear altered.
Kyle looked almost delighted.
“This may work.”
Matteo remained unhappy.
But unhappy Matteo was different from refusing Matteo.
Ayla knew she was winning.
He finally exhaled.
“Fine.”
Kitty pointed at him.
“She defeated you.”
“No.”
“You said fine.”
“I am choosing to permit an intelligent strategy created by my wife.”
“That sounds like losing with expensive vocabulary.”
Matteo ignored her.
For the rest of the evening, security preparation occurred quietly.
At 9:17 the next morning, the trap produced its first result.
A service technician appeared at the original hotel carrying legitimate-looking electrical credentials.
Security allowed him through the first layer.
He requested access to a utility corridor directly behind the ballroom.
Kyle’s men detained him there.
The identification was false.
The man refused to speak.
At 9:31, a catering van arrived even though the hotel’s catering staff used another entrance.
Two men inside carried concealed weapons.
They were detained before leaving the vehicle.
At 10:05, another person attempted to disable a security camera from a maintenance control room.
That one mattered.
Because he was a Cipriani employee.
His name was Marco Bellini.
He had worked for Matteo’s organization for 9 years.
He had attended Matteo and Ayla’s wedding.
He had shaken Ayla’s hand.
He had congratulated them when the pregnancy became public.
He had eaten at their table.
When Kyle sent the name, Matteo stopped speaking.
Ayla was beside him in Giulia’s sitting room while guests began arriving for the relocated shower.
“Marco?”
His voice was almost disbelieving.
“You know him well?”
“I trusted him.”
That answer carried more pain than anger.
Ayla touched his hand.
“What happened?”
Kyle’s voice came through speakerphone.
“He is talking.”
“Already?”
“Because he knows what happens if he does not.”
Ayla looked at Matteo.
Kyle corrected himself.
“Legally and psychologically.”
“Good correction,” Ayla said.
“What did Dante offer?” Matteo asked.
“Money initially. Then threats.”
“What threats?”
“His son.”
Matteo closed his eyes.
Ayla felt the situation change.
Marco was not simply greedy.
“Dante has his son?”
“Not physically. The boy studies in Boston. Dante’s people approached him twice and made it clear they could reach him.”
Ayla’s anger changed direction.
“He forced Marco.”
“Partly,” Kyle said.
“Marco accepted $250,000 before the threats began.”
Matteo opened his eyes.
“Then he was corrupt before he was afraid.”
“Yes.”
“Did he provide Ayla’s medical schedule?”
A pause.
“Yes.”
Matteo released Ayla’s hand.
He walked toward the far window.
She understood.
He needed distance from her while processing rage.
“Did he know the photograph would threaten the baby?” Ayla asked.
“No. He claims he thought Dante wanted to frighten Matteo commercially.”
“Do you believe him?”
“Partially.”
Matteo turned.
“Where is Marco now?”
“Secure room.”
“I am coming.”
Ayla immediately moved.
“No.”
His gaze hardened.
“I need to speak with him.”
“Yes.”
“Then do not tell me no.”
“I am telling you not to go while angry.”
“I am not angry.”
Giulia, standing near the doorway with a cup of tea, laughed.
Everyone turned.
Matteo stared at his younger sister.
“What?”
Giulia had the same dark eyes as Matteo but none of his intimidating restraint.
“Brother, I have known you since I was born.”
She walked into the room.
“You are one sentence away from frightening 30 trained men.”
Matteo folded his arms.
“This concerns my wife and daughter.”
“I know.”
Giulia kissed his cheek.
“That is why you need to remain here for 20 minutes.”
His expression softened despite himself.
Ayla loved her immediately.
Giulia turned toward Ayla.
“Your baby shower begins in 15 minutes. If he leaves, every guest will know something happened.”
“Exactly.”
Matteo looked betrayed.
“My wife and sister are forming an alliance.”
“It was inevitable,” Giulia said.
Kyle spoke through the telephone.
“Boss, I can handle Marco until you arrive.”
“Do not let him leave.”
“He is not leaving.”
Matteo ended the call.
The baby shower began.
Ayla expected fear to dominate the event.
Instead, something unexpected happened.
She became happy.
Genuinely happy.
Giulia had decorated the room with simple flowers and photographs of Ayla and Matteo.
Kitty organized games that Matteo called “psychological warfare.”
Giulia’s children argued over which of them would teach the baby Italian first.
Kyle gave Matteo a tiny pink shirt reading Future Boss, which Ayla immediately declared inappropriate.
Matteo secretly loved it.
For 2 hours, they were simply a family.
Then Giulia handed Ayla a small wooden box.
“This belonged to our mother.”
Matteo became still.
Ayla opened it.
Inside lay a delicate gold bracelet designed for an infant.
“My mother gave it to me when my daughter was born,” Giulia explained.
“It belonged to our grandmother before that.”
Ayla’s eyes filled.
“You want our baby to have it?”
Giulia smiled.
“She is a Cipriani daughter.”
Ayla looked at Matteo.
He was crying.
Not openly.
Not dramatically.
But tears stood unmistakably in his eyes.
She reached for him.
He came immediately.
Giulia wrapped both of them in her arms.
“Our family has spent generations passing down power,” she said softly.
“Perhaps this child can inherit something better.”
Ayla looked at the bracelet.
“What?”
“Love without fear.”
Matteo kissed his sister’s forehead.
After the shower, he went with Kyle to confront Marco.
Ayla did not accompany him.
She did not need to.
When Matteo returned 3 hours later, his expression was exhausted rather than violent.
“What happened?”
“Marco gave us everything.”
He sat beside her.
“Dante contacted him 5 months ago.”
“Before the photographs?”
“Yes.”
“So this was planned long before we knew.”
Matteo nodded.
“Dante has been building access quietly.”
“Did Marco know where he is?”
“No.”
Ayla frowned.
“Then we still have the same problem.”
“No.”
Something in Matteo’s voice changed.
“He gave us a bank account used for payments.”
Ayla understood immediately.
“You can trace it.”
“We already did.”
“Where?”
“New Jersey.”
She sat straighter.
“A specific location?”
“A warehouse company connected to a Romano associate.”
“Is Dante there?”
“We do not know.”
Matteo took her hand.
“But for the first time, he left a physical trail.”
Ayla looked down at their intertwined fingers.
“What happens to Marco?”
“He will never work for me again.”
“Will you hurt him?”
Matteo was silent long enough to make the question uncomfortable.
Then he shook his head.
“No.”
Ayla released a breath.
“Why?”
“Because he has a son.”
He looked at her stomach.
“And because my wife has spent the last year changing how I understand consequences.”
Ayla touched his cheek.
“You can protect your family without becoming the worst version of yourself.”
“I am trying.”
“That matters.”
He kissed her palm.
Then he became serious.
“The warehouse will be watched tonight.”
“Not attacked?”
“Watched.”
Ayla smiled faintly.
“You are learning.”
“Do not become arrogant.”
“Too late.”
He pulled her closer.
For the first time since the photographs began, they had something concrete.
A name.
A method.
A financial trail.
A traitor exposed.
Dante Romano had believed entering the Cipriani house would destroy trust.
Instead, Marco’s betrayal taught Matteo something Ayla had been trying to show him from the beginning.
May you like
Protection did not always require striking first.
Sometimes the most dangerous person in the room was the one patient enough to wait.
