“Then we will have to find a way to open it,” Luca said, his voice barely a whisper. “For the good of the family.”

From the dark hallway behind the stairs, I noticed a faint shadow move.

Marcus was watching from the edge of the library door, his hand hidden inside his jacket, watching Luca’s every move.

Luca’s phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket, the harsh buzz cutting through the tense silence of the foyer.

He reached into his coat and pulled out a sleek black device, his eyes scanning the screen.

A strange look of panic crossed his face before he quickly masked it, his thumb tapping a rapid response.

“We don’t have much time,” Luca muttered, almost to himself, his gaze shifting back to the study door.

The wind outside howled, throwing a sheet of heavy rain against the leaded glass windows.

A low, groaning sound came from the upper floor, followed by the muffled thump of something heavy hitting the floorboards in Alexander’s room.

Luca’s head snapped upward toward the sound, his eyes widening.

Sofia did not flinch at the sound from above.