Morning came too quickly.
The storm had passed, but Seravalle felt different.
Heavier.
Like the town itself was holding its breath.
Inside the bookstore, Elena spread Lucia's notebook across the table. Pages filled with names, routes, dates—every line a piece of buried truth.
Daniel stood by the window, watching the quiet street.
"He won't wait," he said. "If Bellini thinks we have something… he'll act."
Isabella nodded from the corner.
"That's why we move first."
Elena looked up.
"We go to the police."
Daniel hesitated.
"Are you sure?" he asked. "If he still has influence—"
"Then we go above him," Elena cut in.
"Regional authorities. Press. Anyone who will listen."
Isabella gave a small approving nod.
"That's what Lucia wanted."
Elena closed the notebook carefully.
"Then we finish what she started."
By midday, they were on the road out of Seravalle.
Daniel drove.
Elena sat beside him, clutching the notebook and the tape in her bag.
Isabella watched the road behind them.
Silent.
Alert.
For a while, everything felt normal.
Too normal.
Then—
A black car appeared in the rearview mirror.
Far at first.
Then closer.
Daniel's grip on the steering wheel tightened.
"We're being followed."
Elena turned slightly.
The car didn't overtake.
Didn't slow down.
Just stayed there.
Watching.
"They know," Isabella whispered.
Daniel pressed the accelerator.
The car behind them matched the speed.
The quiet countryside road suddenly felt like a trap.
"What do we do?" Elena asked.
Daniel's voice was steady, but tense.
"We don't stop."
The road curved sharply ahead, leading into a narrow stretch between vineyards.
The perfect place for an ambush.
And as they turned—
Another car pulled out ahead.
Blocking the road.
Daniel slammed the brakes.
The car skidded slightly on the damp road.
Elena's heart leapt into her throat.
"No…" she whispered.
The black car behind them stopped too.
They were boxed in.
Trapped.
The doors of the front car opened.
Two men stepped out.
Calm.
Prepared.
Daniel exhaled slowly.
"Stay inside," he said.
But Elena knew.
This wasn't just intimidation anymore.
Bellini had made his move.
And now—
There was no easy way out.