“This is my brother’s private wing, Luca,” Sofia said, her voice sharp with panic. “He is dying, and you are bringing armed men to his door.”

“I am securing the house, Sofia,” Luca said without looking back at her.

His dark eyes swept the dim corridor.

The light bulb above us flickered, casting long, nervous shadows down the hallway.

Luca’s gaze stopped on me.

“You,” he said, pointing a gloved finger at my chest.

I lowered my eyes immediately, keeping my head bowed.

“Sir?” I whispered.

“Why are you standing out here in the dark?” Luca asked, taking a step toward me.

“I was gathering the soiled linens, sir,” I said, keeping my voice soft and empty of emotion. “But I heard the noise and waited.”

Luca stared at me for a long moment, his eyes scanning my uniform, then my hands.

“Go inside,” he ordered, gesturing toward Alexander’s master suite. “I want everyone in one place.”

He didn’t wait for my response.

He pushed the heavy oak door to the master suite open, his boots clicking loudly on the hardwood floor inside.