Chapter one —Introduction

Sicily, Italy, 8:00 pm, Morte Nera Empire

The screams of the tortured man echoed through the cold, dark chamber. Antonio's eyes gleamed with sadistic pleasure as he watched the man's body contort in agony. A blood-curdling "Ahhh" escaped the man's lips, followed by desperate pleas for mercy.

"Please... Plea-"

The man's words were abruptly silenced as Antonio's knife sliced through his tongue. A fountain of blood erupted from the man's mouth, staining the floor beneath him. Antonio's smile grew wider, his eyes sparkling with malevolence.

With a swift, merciless motion, Antonio beheaded the man, the knife glinting in the dim light. The sound of the man's pleas still lingered in the air, but Antonio's expression remained unyielding. He detested the sound of begging, it was a weakness he would never tolerate.

Antonio calmly cleaned the blood from his tailored suit and shoes with a tissue, his movements economical and precise. He discarded the knife on the ground, the metal clattering against the stone floor.

"Inform the underworld bosses that their hero is dead," Antonio declared, his voice glacial and devoid of any emotion.

Two mobsters stood guard at the door, their faces impassive. "Yes, boss," one of them replied, pulling out a phone to relay the message.

Antonio's gaze lingered on the lifeless body at his feet. A hint of disappointment flickered across his face. The man's death had been too...easy. Too predictable.

He turned to leave, his shoes echoing off the cold stone walls. As he reached the door, he paused, his eyes narrowing.

"Summon Vixen to my chambers. I want her there in ten minutes." Antonio's voice was low and commanding, leaving no room for disobedience.

The two mobsters, Victor and Marco, exchanged a weighted glance. Victor, the taller of the two, nodded curtly. "Yes, boss."

Ten minutes later ~

Antonio sat in his living room, smoking a cigarette. Vixen stood before him, fidgeting with anticipation. She had fantasized about this moment, hoping he'd finally give in to his desires and take her roughly, her screams echoing through the chamber. But now, as she met his gaze, she felt a pang of disappointment.

Antonio finished his cigarette, turning to face her. Vixen's eyes locked onto his, and she felt a shiver run down her spine as his gaze scrutinized her. She bit her lip seductively, trying to reignite the spark. "What do you want, Master?" she asked, her voice husky.

Antonio's eyes roamed over her body, but his expression remained impassive. "I have a job for you, Vixen," he said, his tone firm. "One that requires your particular skills."

Vixen's eyes narrowed, confusion etched on her face. "Huh?" she replied, her mind racing. He didn't call her here to fuck her, she thought, a pang of disappointment settling in.

"Are you deaf?" Antonio snapped, his anger palpable. Vixen jolted out of her reverie, her eyes widening as she met Antonio's glare.

Vixen swallowed hard, her heart racing. "N-no, Master," she stuttered, trying to compose herself.

Antonio's expression remained stern, his eyes boring into hers. "Good," he said finally. "I have a package that needs to be delivered. It requires... finesse."

Vixen's curiosity piqued, she leaned forward slightly. "What kind of package, Master?" she asked, trying to keep her tone neutral.

Antonio's gaze lingered on hers for a moment before he nodded curtly. "You'll find out soon enough. Victor will brief you on the details."

Vixen's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with questions. But before she could ask any of them, Antonio dismissed her with a wave of his hand.

"You're dismissed, Vixen. Victor is waiting for you outside."

As the door closed he turned and walked to the bedroom. Inside he approached a bedside table where a small framed picture sat. The picture showed a teenage girl with golden cascading locks and a sweet, innocent smile.

Antonio's fingers brushed across the frame,his touch gentle. For an instant, his face betrayed a flicker of emotion but it vanished as quick as it came.

"We meet again ....Lexi" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Taormina, Sicily 6:00am

Lexi's Apartment

Lexi's eyes snapped open her heart racing as she gasped for air. She was drenched in sweat, her sheets tangled around her legs. It was just another nightmare she told herself trying to calm down. But the memory of the dream still lingered, haunting her.

She stood on her bare feet ruffled her hair and sighed out before going to the bathroom. Inside she stood taking a bath under the shower. She could remember vividly giving her resignation letter to her supervising officer and the man looked shocked clearly he wouldn't be shocked if it was just any other officer but he was, in her case cause she wasn't just any officer she was a devotee. Her employees all knew how much she loved her job but she had to resign to kill that bastard Antonio Saint Claire. The man who had killed her sister.

As the warm water cascaded down her body, Lexi's thoughts drifted back to the events that had led her to this moment. She had been a dedicated and decorated officer, known for her unwavering commitment to justice. But Antonio Saint Claire had changed everything.

Lexi's eyes narrowed as she remembered the first time she had laid eyes on Antonio. He was suave, charismatic, and ruthless. She had been tasked with taking him down, but he had always managed to stay one step ahead.

The water began to cool, snapping Lexi back to reality. She turned off the shower and stepped out, wrapping herself with a towel.

Lexi's eyes locked onto her reflection, the mirror's glassy surface seeming to ripple like water as her gaze burned with a fierce intensity. The shower's warmth still lingered on her skin, but it was nothing compared to the fire that had been smoldering within her for years.

The towel wrapped around her body seemed to tighten, like a noose slowly constricting her. Lexi's eyes flashed with a fierce determination. She would see this through, no matter the cost. Antonio Saint Claire would be brought to his knees, and Lexi would be the one to do it.

Lexi's gaze dropped her eyes scanning the countertop as if searching for something. Her hands closed around a small, silver locket, she opened it revealing two photographs one of her sister and the other of Antonio,his eyes seeming to bore into her soul.

A cold calculated smile spread across Lexi's face as she gazed at Antonio's picture. She knew every detail of his face, every curve, every contour. She hadn't discovered any weaknesses yet and that's why she was meeting with her workers, yeah she employed some skilled hackers and assasins who she pays every month for the past two years and that's why she knows so much about him.

She strode to her closet and yanked a pair of jeans black tank top and a leather jacket. In seconds she was dressed her hair tied back in a ponytail. She grabbed her phone, wallet and keys shoving them into her jacket pockets. Her eyes scanned the room ensuring she had everything. With a final glance at her room,Lexi turned and sprinted out of her apartment.