From Crime To Court

Chapter 33

▪️A L E S S I O▪️

It had been over a week since I had last seen Serena and I was losing my mind.

My study, once a haven of contemplation and strategy, had become a cage of anxiety. I paced back and forth, the floorboards creaking under my restless steps, my mind consumed by thoughts of her.

The reports from my spies at the Cardinal's residence offered little comfort. Serena was alive, but barely. The insufficient food and harsh conditions were taking a toll on her, leaving her weak and vulnerable. Each report sent a fresh wave of anger and despair coursing through me, and the walls of my study seemed to close in tighter with each passing day.

I ran a hand through my hair, gripping the back of my chair with white-knuckled intensity. The rage I felt toward the Cardinal was a seething, burning thing, threatening to consume me from the inside out. The man who dared to hold Serena captive, to mistreat her and use her for his own gain, was a man I longed to see brought to justice.

But more than the anger, it was the helplessness that gnawed at me. I was a man of action, used to commanding troops and making swift decisions. Yet here I was, forced into a waiting game, every moment of inaction a bitter reminder of my powerlessness. My mind raced with plans and strategies; each one fraught with risks that I could not afford to take without having more intel.

I approached the window, staring out at the sprawling grounds of the villa. The sun was setting, casting a fiery glow across the horizon, a stark contrast to the turmoil churning within me. I thought of Serena, her strength and resilience, her spirit that had captivated me from the moment we met. The memory of her fierce determination gave me a sliver of hope, a reminder that she was still fighting, even in the darkest of places.

The idea of a future without her was an unbearable void, a prospect I refused to entertain. I knew I had to find a way to save her, to bring her back to where she belonged–with me.

Taking a deep breath, I turned back to my desk, steeling myself for the next steps. I had allies and resources, and I would use every one of them to ensure her safety. This was not just about love or duty; it was about justice, about righting the wrongs that had been inflicted upon us.

As I sat down, my resolve hardened. The Cardinal may have had the upper hand for now, but I would find a way to outmanoeuvre him. For Serena's sake, and for the sake of everything we had fought for, I would not rest until she was free and the Cardinal's grip on our lives was broken.

I was lost in my thoughts when the door to my study creaked open.

Giotto entered with a tray. His eyes, filled with a mix of concern and determination, met mine and he gave me a small smile. His presence was a comforting reminder of the support I had, even in these dark times.

"I've brought you some tea," he said softly, setting the tray down on my desk.

"Thank you," I replied, my voice strained with the weight of my worries. I took the steaming cup, hoping its warmth might offer some solace.

Giotto hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "The twins will be here soon. Lorenzo and Francesca. They've always been good at gathering information. I have no doubt that they'll be able to help you."

"I hope so," I nodded, grateful for the news. "Every day Serena remains in that place; it eats away at me."

He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, "I know, but Serena is strong and stubborn."

"She is pretty stubborn, isn't she?"

"Oh, most definitely, there I say she even beats you. Which is why I know that no matter what the Cardinal tries to do, she will endure, and you will find a way to save her."