The ties that bind

CHAPTER 43 - The House of Ghosts

Back in the Vents

Serena and Santiago moved in sync, their breathing controlled, their bodies pressed against the cramped metal as they navigated the old ventilation system.

The mansion felt different from up here—less like home, more like a maze of secrets.

Santiago spoke quietly. "Any guesses on what she's after?"

Serena thought for a moment. Catherine had access to everything growing up—the same secrets, the same hidden rooms, the same codes. But there were things only the family's inner circle knew.

Something valuable. Something worth risking everything for.

Serena's stomach twisted.

"The archives."

Santiago's gaze sharpened. "Explain."

"The Rossi archives hold decades of records—contacts, ledgers, deals that go back generations." Her voice was tight. "Everything our family has ever controlled."

Santiago let out a low whistle. "And if she gets her hands on it?"

Serena's hands curled into fists. "She could sell us out to every enemy we've ever had. Or worse... use it against us."

A beat of silence. Then—Santiago grinned. "So, we're stealing it first?"

Serena smirked. "Obviously."

His chuckle was dark. "Now I remember why I like you."

She ignored the way her stomach flipped at that. Focus.

They had to move.

Fast.

Serena's pulse hammered in her ears as she crawled through the vent, her mind racing through every possibility.

If Catherine got her hands on the archives, the entire Rossi empire would be exposed.

Santiago moved behind her, his presence steady despite the tight space. "You sure about this, Tormenta?" he murmured.

Serena nodded, her voice firm. "If she's after the archives, we get there first."

Santiago chuckled under his breath. "You really don't like losing, do you?"

Serena shot him a look over her shoulder. "Would you?"

He smirked. "Not even a little."

The passageway grew narrower as they approached the west wing. This part of the house was old—forgotten. The vent sloped downward, leading to a hidden crawl space above the archives room.

Serena halted, pressing her ear to the metal.

Silence.

Then—footsteps.

Santiago tensed beside her.

Serena exhaled slowly. "She's already here."

He leaned closer, voice barely above a whisper. "How many?"

Serena's fingers flexed against the vent's edge. "Can't tell. But we don't have time to wait."

Santiago tilted his head, considering. Then he grinned. "So we drop in?"

Serena huffed. "That's your plan? Just drop in?"

"Unless you've got something better."

She didn't.

With a slow, steady breath, she reached for the screws holding the vent cover in place. One by one, she loosened them.

Santiago watched, his amusement never fading. "You're surprisingly good at this."