Chapter 6 - Whispers in the Walls|
The midnight air was cool and crisp as we walked across the illuminated stone pathways toward the stables.
Luca carried Ava with effortless strength, while I walked alongside them, carrying the old leather halter.
The stable was a beautiful, historic brick barn that had stood on the Moretti estate for nearly half a century.
The warm scent of fresh hay, sweet oats, and worn leather filled the air as we stepped through the barn doors.
In the third stall on the right, a large chestnut gelding with a white blaze lifted his head and whinnied softly.
One of his ears flopped slightly to the side, giving him an endearing, gentle appearance.
Ava stirred in her father’s arms at the sound, her eyes fluttering open beneath the dim barn lights.
"Copper?" she whispered sleepily.
"He's right here, baby," Luca murmured, lowering her gently to her feet on the clean straw floor.
Ava rushed to the wooden gate, reaching her arms through the slats to wrap them around the horse's broad nose.
Copper lowered his head immediately, nuzzling against her shoulder with infinite patience.
He let out a long, warm breath that rustled the fabric of her blue evening gown.
Graham was sitting on an overturned bucket in the tack room, looking immensely relieved to see them.
"The transport trailer is gone, Mr. Moretti," Graham reported, standing up respectfully.
"I told the driver that if he ever showed up on this property again without your signature, he'd leave on foot."
"Good," Luca replied, stepping beside his daughter and stroking the horse's chestnut neck.
"Copper will live out the rest of his natural days on this property, Graham."
"Build him a larger turnout pasture by the end of next week."
"Yes, sir," Graham answered with a bright smile.
Ava turned to her father, her eyes shining with pure joy under the barn lanterns.
"Can we put his name back on the door, Daddy?"
Luca reached into his pocket and pulled out a small screwdriver that Graham handed him from the workbench.
Together, father and daughter held the small brass nameplate against the worn cedar wood of the stall.
Luca guided Ava's small hands as they tightened the brass screws into place until the word COPPER gleamed under the stable light.
"There," Luca whispered, kissing the top of her head.
"No one will ever take this down again."
Just then, the barn doors creaked open, and Marco entered with a grim expression on his hardened face.
He gave me a brief nod before leaning toward Luca's ear, whispering something that made Luca's jaw tighten instantly.
Luca turned back toward Graham and me, his voice returning to its sharp, protective edge.
"Graham, keep two armed men posted at the barn doors tonight."
"Rachel, take Ava back to the main house and stay with her in the upstairs suite."
"What happened, Mr. Moretti?" I asked, sensing the sudden change in temperature.
Luca looked toward the dark woods bordering the back of the estate.
"Marco's men just swept Vanessa’s private quarters," Luca said, his voice laced with venom.
"They found three hidden microphones wired directly to the Bellini compound, and a tracking beacon hidden inside Ava’s favorite riding boots."
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"They weren't just trying to get rid of Caroline's horse."
"They were preparing to take my daughter."
