Chimera.
The thought makes me still.
I frown, thinking back to my abduction, and the few hours I was lucid. I'm certain the man had mentioned Chimera—that I was to be a gift for the Chimera. Does that mean that...
Turning off the water, I quickly fasten my dress and go to Enzo.
He's in a heated argument with Allegra, and when he sees me he tells her something that has her pale. She turns her head ever so slightly and her entire demeanor changes when she sees me. At Enzo's urging, she leaves us alone, but not before shooting me daggers with her eyes. I don't know what I've ever done to her, but I don't have time to wonder about that now.
"What is it, Lina?" Enzo frowns when he sees me. Considering I'd just run down the stairs, my face must be flushed with exertion.
"Chimera." I say, and his eyes widen a little. "Have you heard that name?"
Enzo tugs my hand towards his study, closing the door behind us.
"Why?"
"You know I have a C and an M on my back. I think the C stands for Chimera."
Enzo looks deep in thought as he considers my words.
"Tell me why you think that."
I recount everything from that night, and how Marcello had mentioned Chimera in relation to the nun murder.
"That bastard..." He mutters, clenching his fists.
"Enzo?"
"He's obsessed with you, Line, fucking obsessed. It makes so much sense..."
"What do you mean?" I'm confused at his outburst. Threading a hand through his hair, he continues.
"Think about it. He came to me for a marriage alliance and then you suddenly had to leave Sacre Coeur because you were threatened by the Guerras."
I frown, not liking his implications. Surely Marcello wouldn't go that far, would he?
"Wasn't the time a little too convenient?" He gives a sarcastic laugh.
"But that would mean that he..." I trail off, but he continues.
"He terrified you on purpose so you'd fall into his arms. He became your savior after every event." His lip twitches in disgust. I take a step back, my eyes widening at the realization.
Everything fits.
Father Guerra... The nun... And then the finger.
In his own words, only someone with access to the house could have stolen Claudia's ring.
"Dear Lord!" My hand goes to my mouth, and I blink rapidly.
"He's a monster, Lina. He conditioned you into feeling safe with him, he manipulated you into falling for him. It's not love you're feeling." He sighs deeply. "He was your security blanket, and that made you develop feelings." He continues, probably thinking that I will feel less wretched if I stop loving him.
"It doesn't work like that, Enzo." Even as I rationalize what he's saying, I can't help but ache for him.
Enzo's reasoning makes sense, but I can't imagine someone being that vile. Not even Marcello.
"Lina, you need to let everything sink in. Hell, I don't think I've heard of someone more depraved." He shakes his head, going to his cabinet and pouring a drink.
"Can I have some?" I suddenly ask, hoping it might help me too. He pauses for a second, looking at me like a big brother realizing his sister isn't a kid anymore, before he prepares me a glass too.
I hold the glass with both hands, staring at the amber liquid.
Was Marcello really behind everything?
All those reassurances, the kind words, the tender touches. Were they all a lie?
I feel my eyes tearing up, so I quickly tip back the glass, swallowing the contents. The fire travelling down my throat makes me choke.
"But why? Why me? What did I ever do to him?"
"Some people are just unhinged, Lina. It's not your fault. But it worries me. Someone like that is capable of anything."
"You're right. That's why I'm scared for Claudia. What if he uses her against me?"
"You shouldn't go anywhere for the time being. At least until we figure out what we can do."
"Don't do anything dangerous, Enzo." I add, knowing he has a tendency of putting himself in the line of fire for others.
"I don't like this, Lina. I don't like it at all. I'll double the number of guards. Just stay put, ok?"
I nod, assuring him I'll follow his lead when it comes to safety. The last thing I could ever do would be to put my daughter in danger.
IT TAKES ME ANOTHER few days to come to grips with the fact that Marcello had been behind everything. I still have a hard time believing he could be capable of that. I guess that shows how gullible I'd been and how skillful of a manipulator he'd been. I was easy prey, wasn't I? The girl who'd been abandoned by her family, the outcast who'd been exiled for something out of her control. I'd been ripe for the plucking. Am I mad at myself? Yes. But more than anything, I'm mad for being disappointed it had all been a lie.
I pull myself together, not wanting to cry again. I'd done that enough this last week. I need to step up for Claudia, since she's been extremely confused by our sudden departure. She'd just gotten used to normalcy—a family—and I'd taken that from her.
"What was it you wanted to ask me?" I look down at the textbook Claudia's holding. Her small features are drawn back in hesitation.
"I was reading this problem." She points out at the text and explains to me why she disagrees with the formulation.
"I don't see any issue with it." I say after a long deliberation. She frowns, frustrated.
"Of course you don't!" Claudia pouts, and I'm taken aback by her tone. "Marcello would have agreed with me." She crosses her arms across her chest.
Her words make me reel.
"But Marcello's not here." I say, trying to keep my voice calm.
"And whose fault is that?" She snaps at me before running out of the room.
"Claudia!" I call out after her, but she's already gone.
Damnation! This is exactly what I didn't want to happen. She's already bonded with him, and suddenly I'm the bad guy for separating them.
What would she do if she knew he's her father?
She'll understand... she must.
I'm still ruminating about how to best handle Claudia right now when someone knocks on my door.
"Come in."
Allegra peeks her head inside, a shy smile on her face. Shocked would be an understatement for what I'm feeling as I see her walk inside, her countenance completely different from before.
"Am I bothering you?" She asks in a voice that I don't recognize. Too saccharine and lacking her usual bite.
"No," I frown. "What did you want?"
"Enzo called. He said the house's been compromised."
"What do you mean?" I draw back, panic overtaking me.
"He wants us to go to a safe house. It's urgent. Get some things, a car is waiting for us."
"Let me get Claudia." I stand up, grabbing some clothes on my way.
"She's already in the car with Lucca."
"Why didn't she come to me?" I ask. It makes little sense. Claudia would have come to me first...
But then I remember our argument and I sigh. Ok, maybe not this time.
"Never mind, lead the way."