Chapter 93 A lead
Madison's POV
Moon's kidnap had Alessandro temperamental.
He would bark and yell at everyone.
He had drank himself to sleep on the first night, finding no solid lead to his niece.
Rose had been home since, crying day and night.
It was sad to see.
Everyone in the Manor felt it too. Heaven knows hell will break loose if Alessandro doesn't find Moon in 3 days.
Today was the second, by the way.
" I know something about Alessandro's niece. Can we meet?"
I had been staring at this message for a long while, contemplating if to buy it or discard it as another trap.
But it came from Maria herself.
Not encrypted message.
My true caller also verified her identity.
For Moon, I had to go.
So I called Adrianne to pick me up and also to prepare a lie, just in case Alessandro cared to ask.
I knocked on the door to his office, where he had slept for days, but no response came through.
Assuming he was sleeping, I decided not to disturb his peace. I checked up on Rose, assured her that we'd find Moon and headed out.
"What's the occasion, my queen?" Adrianne bowed dramatically.
"Maria has a clue as to Moon's case. I know you'd think it's dangerous because we can't trust the Santiagos' but you'll be there and you can alert Alessandro if you notice any funny movement." I explained calmly to her.
She looked at me for a while before sighing heavily. "This better bring good result or else, I'd beat the shit out of that woman myself."
I hoped so too.
The ride was silent. It felt like we were mourning and I didn't like to feel that way.
"We're here. At least, it's in the open this time." Adrianne shrugged. "I'll stay in the car, watching your back."
"Thank you, Annie." I smiled at her before stepping out, putting on my eyeglass and cap for disguise.
Immediately I entered, I spotted Maria because she was the only oddly dressed female.
She had her face wrapped up in scarf and glasses and a large hat.
"Hey." I greeted, taking a seat. "Maria."
Her lips lifted up in a smile. Slowly, she brought down her glasses. "Thank goodness, you're okay."
"Why wouldn't I be?" I raised my eyebrow at her, removing my glasses.
"You know, last time didn't turn out well as you were ambushed. I'm really sorry. I didn't know it'll be dangerous for you." She stretched her hand forward but stopped it halfway, retreating it back.
"What do you have for me?" I asked her, my face serious.
I didn't want to spend much time here before people recognized us.
Her eyes were glossy as she looked at me. She sniffled, dabbing her eyes with her handkerchief.
What was wrong with her now?
"Are you okay, Maria?"
She nodded. "I'm happy."
I stared at her blankly, unsure of the authenticity of her reply but I let it slide anyway.
"You said..."
"I brought something for you." She searched her bag. I sat upright, looking outside to see if Adrianne was still there. Then she brought out her fisted palm
"What's that?" I eyed her hand, not wanting to stretch out mine.
"Come on. You'll like it." She nodded at me to stretch my hand. So I did.
The minute the cold bracelet touched my palm, my breath became ragged. My heart was beating rapidly.
"Where... Where did you get this from?" My voice broke, my eyes twitching.
She smiled at me, closing my hand around it. "Your mother asked me to give you."
My breath hitched, the tears welling in my eyes. "It was a matching set." I told Maria, placing it to my chest.
"She loves you." Tears rolled down Maria's eyes as she spoke.
My heart ached in my chest as I feared to ask the question.
"Is...my.. is she -"
Maria chuckled lightly. "She's fine. She wants to see you. She wants you to leave Alessandro, Madison. She wants you to have a safe life."
Frowning, I put the necklace around my neck. "She left me. Alessandro has been there for me more than she had. I.. I can't."
Maria shook her head. "She had her reasons. Just..."
"Tell me where to find Moon, Maria." My tone had turned serious. I wiped my ears with the napkin on the table.
Maria nodded softly, pushing a paper to me. "They sell them off in 3 days. It's a child trafficking home disguised as an orphanage home. The lady in charge works for her twin fucked brother."
Nodding, I chucked the paper in my pocket. "Thank you for this. Really."
She stretched her hand out, her eyes soft. "Can...can I touch you?"
My eyes arched up in confusion. "Uhh... Okay?"
I placed my hands in hers, letting her squeezing it lightly. A cold shiver ran down my spine alongside an electric wave.
She pulled away immediately, putting on her dark shades. "Go." Her voice was small, cracked.
My heart nudged at me to stay but I had to tell Alessandro the good news.
"Thank you once again." I told her, leaving immediately. When I got to the car, Adrianne drove off.
"Alessandro would be so fucking happy!" Adrianne smiled, turning up the radio this time.
Now, that was more like it.
When we got too the Manor, I strolled to the office with my head held up high.
"Now's not a good time, Madison." Alessandro frowned at me from where he sat.
He had been saying that since we returned. It was like a programmed message for me.
Stefan and Nikolai looked at me as if I had grown two heads when I proceeded to walk inside.
"Back away" Nikolai mouthed. Stefan's eyes told me same too.
"Madison..."
"I found Moon's location." I announced, placing the paper on the table.
He snatched the paper, looking at it for a while before frowning at me. "This is not a funny joke, Madison."
My eyes locked onto his, my gaze hard, "And I want to lead this mission."