Vanessa had been inside the De Luca estate for less than twenty-four hours.
And she already hated how impressive it was.
The mansion wasn't just big.
It was strategic.
After exploring the first floor for nearly an hour, Vanessa had noticed several things.
Hidden cameras.
Guards stationed at key points.
Hallways positioned to control movement.
This wasn't simply a house.
It was a fortress.
Vanessa stood near one of the tall windows overlooking the garden, pretending to admire the scenery while quietly studying the security layout.
Two guards patrolled the outer path every ten minutes.
Another stood near the gate.
And somewhere unseen—
More.
"Planning your escape?"
Vanessa didn't turn.
She recognized the voice.
Gale.
"You're paranoid," she said calmly.
"I'm observant."
Vanessa finally glanced over her shoulder.
Gale stood in the doorway, arms loosely crossed.
His expression was relaxed.
Too relaxed.
"You're watching me," she said.
Gale shrugged.
"You're walking through my house."
"And?"
"I like knowing where my detective wife is."
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
"Stop calling me that."
"You are."
"Temporarily."
"Still counts."
Vanessa turned back toward the window.
"I wasn't planning an escape."
"No?"
"No."
She gestured toward the garden.
"I was studying your security."
Gale didn't look surprised.
"And?"
Vanessa smirked.
"Your east wall has a blind spot."
For the first time, Gale looked mildly interested.
"Does it?"
"Yes."
"How did you notice that?"
Vanessa tapped the glass lightly.
"The guard rotation is uneven."
Gale walked closer.
"Impressive."
"Basic observation."
Gale stood beside her now, looking out at the same garden.
"You're not the first person to notice it."
Vanessa frowned slightly.
"You know about it?"
"Yes."
"Then why leave it open?"
Gale's eyes moved toward the gate.
"Because it's useful."
Vanessa slowly turned toward him.
"Useful how?"
Gale's voice remained calm.
"It attracts people who think they've found a weakness."
Vanessa's lips curved slightly.
"That's cruel."
"It's efficient."
She shook her head.
"You're unbelievable."
"That's what people say."
Vanessa pushed away from the window.
"Well congratulations."
"For what?"
"You married a detective who's now auditing your security system."
Gale watched her carefully.
"You're enjoying this."
"A little."
Vanessa started walking toward the hallway.
Gale followed.
"Where are you going?"
"Exploring."
"You're already doing that."
"I mean the interesting parts."
Gale stopped walking.
"There are no interesting parts."
Vanessa raised an eyebrow.
"You expect me to believe that?"
"This house contains nothing illegal."
She laughed.
"You're a mafia boss."
"And this is my home."
Vanessa tilted her head slightly.
"You're very careful."
"Yes."
"That makes you harder to catch."
"That's the idea."
Vanessa continued walking.
She opened another door.
A library.
Floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with books.
She blinked.
"You read?"
Gale leaned against the doorframe.
"Occasionally."
Vanessa stepped inside.
"Crime novels?"
"History."
She picked up one of the books.
Military strategy.
She looked at him.
"That explains a lot."
"How?"
"You run your empire like a battlefield."
Gale didn't deny it.
"Conflict is predictable."
"People aren't."
"That's why most people lose."
Vanessa placed the book back.
"Do you ever lose?"
Gale met her gaze.
"Yes."
"When?"
"Not often."
Vanessa smiled slightly.
"I'll try to change that."
Gale's eyes darkened just a little.
"I expected you would."
Vanessa walked toward the door again.
"Your house is boring."
"Good."
"I thought mafia kings had secret rooms."
Gale didn't react.
"That's fiction."
Vanessa paused.
Then slowly turned toward him.
"You're lying."
Gale raised an eyebrow.
"Why would you think that?"
Vanessa stepped closer.
Because she noticed something.
A faint line in the wall behind the bookshelf.
Almost invisible.
But not invisible enough.
"Because detectives notice details."
Gale followed her gaze toward the shelf.
Then back at her.
"And criminals hide them."
Vanessa touched the edge of the shelf lightly.
"Hidden door?"
"Maybe."
"What's inside?"
"Something you shouldn't see."
Vanessa smiled.
"Now I definitely want to see it."
Gale pushed himself away from the doorframe.
"You're curious."
"It's a flaw."
"It can also be dangerous."
Vanessa leaned closer to the wall.
"You married a curious detective."
"I know."
"So what did you expect?"
Gale walked toward her slowly.
His footsteps were quiet against the floor.
Vanessa didn't move.
She kept her hand resting against the hidden panel.
"You shouldn't open that," Gale said calmly.
"Why?"
"Because once you see what's behind it…"
He stopped only inches away from her.
"…you'll understand exactly what kind of man you married."
Vanessa lifted her chin slightly.
"I already know."
"No."
Gale's voice lowered slightly.
"You think you do."
Vanessa studied his expression.
For the first time since meeting him—
Gale looked serious.
Not amused.
Not relaxed.
Serious.
Interesting.
Vanessa slowly removed her hand from the wall.
"Fine."
Gale watched her carefully.
"You're giving up?"
"For now."
She walked past him toward the hallway.
"But don't worry."
Gale turned slightly.
Vanessa stopped at the doorway and looked back.
"I'll find out eventually."
Gale didn't respond.
Vanessa smiled.
"That's what detectives do."
She left the library.
But Gale remained standing in the same spot for several seconds.
Then his gaze moved toward the hidden door behind the bookshelf.
His expression hardened slightly.
Because Vanessa Rivera had noticed something most people never saw.
And if she kept digging—
She would eventually discover the truth hidden behind that door.
The truth about his empire.
The truth about his enemies.
And the truth about why he really married her.
Which meant the game between them had officially begun.
And neither of them planned to lose.