“I heard a rumor that Alexander was taken ill,” Luca said, stepping further into the hall. “A very sudden, very severe illness.”

“He has a mild fever, sir,” I lied, keeping my tone polite. “Dr. Voss is attending to him.”

Luca stopped walking and turned to face me, his smile fading into something sharp and predatory.

“Dr. Voss,” he said slowly, tasting the name. “The family doctor who only gets called when someone is close to the grave.”

He gestured to the men outside, and two of them stepped into the foyer, water dripping from their heavy boots onto the antique rug.

“I am here to secure the estate, Nina,” Luca said, his voice carrying a false note of brotherly concern. “With Alexander incapacitated, there are people who might try to take advantage of the situation.”

“The security team is already on site, Mr. Romano,” I said.

“The security team is not responding to my calls,” Luca replied quickly. “Which means they are either incompetent, or they have been bought.”

He took a step toward the stairs, his boots clicking loudly on the marble.