Chapter 46 Chasing Deborah
“That Valmere is really stubborn,” Lucio muttered from the couch, slumping back with a sigh, one hand holding a glass of whiskey he hadn’t even tasted. The early morning light spilling through the mansion’s high windows painted his amused expression with a faint glow. “Running off to Italy without telling anyone? That’s bold... even for her.”
Across the room, Caelum wasn’t amused. His pacing had grown sharper, echoing across the marble floors. His coat was still half buttoned, his tie loose, clear signs of frustration. “We need to go there,” he said, his voice low but laced with urgency. “Now. We don’t know what could happen to Deborah.”
His brothers exchanged glances, it wasn’t often they saw Caelum this restless. For all his control, Deborah’s disappearance had shaken him more than he’d admit.
Knight, sitting on the arm of a leather chair, smirked faintly. “Relax, bro. She’s not a child. Deborah can handle herself.”
“That’s not the point,” Caelum shot back, glaring briefly. “She didn’t tell us. She didn’t tell anyone where she was going.”
Lucio snorted. “Correction, she told Dad. And apparently, he covered for her.” That made the room go silent.
Casper stood by the window, arms crossed, looking out over the Valmere estate grounds. The morning sun glinted off his wristwatch as his jaw flexed. “That old man Rionessi really allowed it,” he said, his tone calm but cold. “Told the staff she was going abroad for business recovery.”
Knight chuckled under his breath. “Business recovery, huh? Sounds more like emotional recovery.”
Lucio smirked. “Maybe she’s just tired of all the chaos. Can’t really blame her.”
But Casper turned, his gaze sharp enough to silence them all. “She’s not supposed to disappear without protection. You know how dangerous that is. Especially when people like Samuel allies are still out there.”
Caelum stopped pacing, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Exactly. We can’t risk it. Not after everything that’s happened.”
Knight raised an eyebrow. “And what’s the plan? We fly to Italy, storm the villa, and drag her back by the ear?”
Casper’s eyes met his. “If that’s what it takes.”
Lucio laughed quietly. “You sound like Father when he’s angry.”
Casper gave him a look that said I mean it. “Pack your things. We’re leaving tonight.”
\---
The Valmere private jet waited on the runway, sleek and silver against the pale dawn sky. Inside, the brothers took their seats, each lost in his own thoughts. The hum of the engines filled the silence, broken only by the quiet clink of ice in Lucio’s glass.
Knight leaned back, one arm slung casually across the seat. “So, let’s talk about the elephant in the room... she ran off with Ylmaz D’Arden. Guam's golden boy. Rich, charming, and apparently persuasive enough to convince our sister to sneak out.”
Caelum shot him a glare. “This isn’t funny.”
Knight shrugged. “Never said it was. Just pointing out that he’s competition.”
Lucio chuckled. “Competition? What are we competing for exactly? Deborah’s loyalty? She’s still one of us.”
Casper’s voice was firm, final. “That’s not the issue. The issue is she left without telling her family. And the man she’s with. I don’t care how noble he looks isn’t family.”
The cabin fell quiet again.
Outside, the sky stretched in endless shades of blue as the jet sliced through clouds.
After a moment, Caelum’s phone buzzed. He glanced at it, a message from one of their international contacts. His eyes darkened as he read.
“She’s in Amalfi,” he said. “Private villa. Registered under Ylmaz D’Arden’s name.”
Knight whistled lowly. “Of course it is. The man has taste.”
Casper didn’t smile. “We’ll see how long that taste lasts when we show up.”
\---
Hours later, they landed in Naples. The warm Italian air greeted them, fragrant with salt and lemons, carrying a gentleness that starkly contrasted their cold, calculated presence. Waiting at the runway was a local contact dressed in a black suit.
“Signori Valmere,” the man greeted with a respectful bow. “Your sister arrived two days ago. She was seen entering Signor D’Arden’s private residence in Amalfi. It’s secluded, by the cliffs.”
Casper nodded curtly. “You’ll take us there.”
“Subito, Signore.”
Four sleek black cars waited, engines already purring. The brothers split between them, Casper and Caelum in the first, Knight and Lucio in the second. While Lysander and Aston are having a business meeting with the other companies.
The drive was long but beautiful. The roads wound around the cliffs, every turn revealing postcard-perfect towns and villas perched above the water.
Lucio leaned against the window, watching the scenery roll by. “If Deborah didn’t run away, I might’ve brought someone here myself.”
Knight smirked. “You’d never get away with it. Caelum would have you followed before you even reach the airport.”
Caelum rolled his eyes but didn’t answer. His mind was elsewhere, replaying every possible scenario. What if something happened to her? What if she didn’t want to come back? What if this trip wasn’t just rebellion… but goodbye?
Casper noticed his tension. “She’s fine,” he said quietly, though his own voice lacked conviction. “She’s stubborn, but she’s not reckless.”
Caelum exhaled, eyes narrowing toward the horizon. “Then she should’ve told us.”
\---
By the time they reached the small coastal town of Amalfi, the sun was dipping low, painting the sea in shades of gold. Tourists moved about in small crowds, unaware of the storm the Valmere brothers were bringing with them.
They stopped near the edge of the cliffside road. From below, they could see a white villa surrounded by gardens and citrus trees, isolated and quiet.
“There,” the driver said, pointing.
Casper’s eyes hardened. “That’s where she is.”
Caelum’s hands clenched at his sides. “Let’s go.”
The brothers stepped out, their presence commanding immediate attention from onlookers. Even dressed casually, there was something unmistakably powerful about them, the aura of men born to lead, protect, and command.
They walked down the cobblestone path toward the villa, the sea wind whipping through their hair. The closer they got, the more Caelum’s expression tightened. His pulse quickened, a mix of anger and relief burning in his chest.
Knight grinned faintly, whispering to Lucio, “Think she’s gonna faint when she sees us?”
Lucio smirked. “No. She’s gonna pretend she’s not scared.” Caelum stopped in front of the tall iron gate of the villa. His heart thudded as he stared at the elegant architecture, peaceful, serene, completely unaware of the storm about to break.
Without another word, he gripped the gate handle and pushed it open with a clang. The brothers stepped into the courtyard, their shoes crunching softly against the stone path. The faint scent of jasmine and salt filled the air. Somewhere inside, laughter echoed... faint, feminine, familiar.
Caelum’s eyes darkened. His jaw clenched.
He took a deep breath, his voice low but rising, filled with a fury and worry only a brother could carry.
“Deborah Occeania Valmere!” he shouted, his voice thundering across the villa grounds, cutting through the gentle hum of the sea.
And somewhere within those white walls..... Deborah froze.