Nora P.O.VPushing myself up from the floor under their watchful gaze, I tried to play it cool.“Ahh, I think I lost my way. I was going that way.” I pointed at the wall, feigning confusion. “I think I need to go. You must be busy dealing with some business.”I turned and was slammed into the wall—not a wall, I balanced myself and looked up , his goons were standing with their arms crossed on their chest . Like a dork, I patted one of their chests and said with a thumbs up, “Nice body, umm.” I tried to sidestep him. “Now if you excuse me…” The man shifted and stood before me like a mountain.What did their mother feed them in their childhood? Rocks!!I weighed my options. I have two ways : one, I can play dumb, and two, risk disclosing my identity.I am going with number one.I turned back to Robert with a wide, tight-lipped smile, hands fisted at my sides. His razor-sharp, stone-cold eyes were intensely focused on me while a small, evil smirk played on his lips. His dealer was lookin
Nora P.O.V. It was late at night , laying on my bed. My mind drifted in an old memory. ‘I was seven years old again, back in the foster home. Small and vulnerable, I was surrounded by the older kids who took sadistic pleasure in tormenting me. Their faces twisted with cruel delight, and their eyes gleamed with malice. I was there walking and talking punching bag. “Look who we have here,” one of them sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. “The little princess thinks she can hide from us.” I was hiding in the old storage room in fear. I was extremely scared of those kids. A strong hand grabbed the nape of my neck, yanking me forward with a jolt of pain. My heart raced as panic surged through me, and I tried to pull away, but another pair of hands gripped my wrists, wrenching them painfully behind my back. I was immobilised, helpless in their grip. “Please,” I whimpered, my voice barely a whisper. “Please, let me go.” “Shut up!” a boy barked, shoving my head toward a larg
Nora P.O.V The room was thick with tension as I approached the conference door, my badge in hand. I swiped it across the scanner, and the door clicked open. I stepped in, the usual hum of the fluorescent lights casting an unwelcoming glow over the sterile conference room. Inside, my seniors were already seated, their faces as cold and sharp as the steel chairs they occupied. Lee stood beside the glass table, his expression a strange blend of worry and frustration. No one greeted me; there was no need. This is going to be the same old story of hell. I slid into a chair near the end of the table, placing my bag beside me, my expression neutral. The silence stretched as I waited, steadying myself for the scolding that was inevitably coming my way. Agent Thompson, the oldest and most formidable of the group, finally broke the silence. “What were you thinking?” His voice was a low, harsh growl, cutting through the quiet with the precision of a blade. I knew better than to answer immediat
Nora P.O.V As soon as I left the conference room, I made my way to the main office to upload the final report into the database. I began to type without noticing how much time had passed. I had hardly eaten before coming here.Just as I was finishing up, the landline on my desk rang, interrupting the quiet hum of the computer. I picked up the receiver, pressing it between my ear and shoulder while continuing to type. After a few clicks I opened another file on the computer to go through the details of a particular case.When I reached the part I was looking for I closed the file and resumed writing again . “This is Detective Stevenson,” I answered, glancing at the clock on the corner of my computer as I spoke. For a moment, there was only silence on the other end. I frowned, repeating, “Hello?” with more insistence, my tone sharpening. Finally, a voice came through, shaky and hesitant. “There... there is a dead... body. I found a... a dead body... buried in the soil. Only... only the
Lily P.O.VI walked out of the college, chatting animatedly with my friend, Emily . The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the campus. We laughed about something silly from class. Students were heading out to the next town for the Friday night party while I had a date night with my couch and television. If my brothers found out I was getting wasted in the parties ,they would lock me in a fort and I am not joking."Alright, I will see you tomorrow," Emily said, waving as she turned to head toward her dorm."See you," I replied, smiling as I watched her walk away.Just as I turned to leave, a black sedan pulled up to the curb right in front of me. The car screeched to a halt. I stepped back,my instincts were screaming at me to run. Before I could make a move, the doors burst open, and several men climbed out wearing black suits and avatar shades.Panic surged through me. I tried to dart away, but one of them grabbed my arm in a vice-like grip. "Let me go!" I screamed,
Nora P.O.V “Doctor Stephen has called you in the lab”. My intercom buzzed with the voice of a new intern from the lab, making me stop typing. I pinched the bridge of my nose and got up. I could feel my headache coming back because of the lack of sleep. From the last two days we have found two other bodies, murdered in similar ways just like the first murder only the locations were different. Their faces were beyond destroyed to be recognised . We have not identified the bodies yet, have gone through the list of people that have gone missing in the last three days but did not come across one description similar to the dead bodies . After turning off my laptop I grabbed my phone and left the floor to go to the other part of the office . I called Lee on the way. “Meet me on the sixth floor”. “I am coming.” I disconnected and headed towards the elevator. I pressed the top button and waited for the elevator to come. A few minutes later the elevator pinged and the doors opened. I nodded
Nora P.O.VThe midday sun beat down on the docks, casting sharp shadows across the rusting cargo containers and the cold, grey water of the harbour. I sat in the driver's seat of the unmarked car, my fingers tapping rhythmically on the steering wheel as I scanned the area. My partner, Lee, sat beside me, focused, his eyes narrowed behind the dark lenses of his aviator glasses.The clock on the dashboard ticked slowly, every second dragging out the uncertainty of what was about to unfold. In the backseat, two other members of our team quietly checked their weapons. Our other team members were in the other cars.We had been staking out this location for days, ever since our intels had confirmed that this was where DiFronzo’s latest shipment was supposed to be arriving.We had been sitting here for hours, waiting, watching.No one will suspect what the are doing if they were using water ways ,so, they are using the boats and ships that were used to import fishes . It was a clever move I hav
Nora P.O.V We parked outside a small, nondescript restaurant, nestled quietly in one of the city’s more secluded neighbourhoods. Its faded exterior and plain sign made it blend seamlessly into the background. The buildings near the diner looked like they were going to fall any minute. They were hardly holding up. This place is a dump. This was where Rob worked before he vanished. “Is this the place?” Lee asked, his gaze lingering on the modest building as he scanned its exterior with his usual alertness. “Yeah, this is it,” I confirmed, shutting off the engine. Together, we stepped out of the car, the cool evening air brushing against us as the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the narrow street. We made our way to the entrance, and I took a moment to mentally prepare for what we might learn inside. The interior was dimly lit, filled with the quiet ambiance of a restaurant that had not been touched by time, and had seen many tough days. A handful of patrons were scatter
December P.O.V "You do that," he said, humor in his voice. "In the meantime, care to tell me why you are on my doorstep at midnight?" "Yes. No." I pressed a hand to my forehead when he frowned at me. He was half naked and I was spiraling. "I mean, I have a reason but maybe this is a bad idea. My issues are not your issues, and I should not even be here right now. Um, I should just go. Sorry for bothering you." I turned to do just that, suddenly afraid he would call the police himself. And then where will that leave me? D-E-A-D dead. Or arrested for assaulting him and a slew of other crimes I committed before landing on his doorstep. Some of which, I am ashamed to admit, I committed before I saw his brother off someone. "December, wait." He grabbed my arm before I could slip away. As soon as he touched me. I nearly lost my footing on the slick stoop. He cursed beneath his breath and grabbed me around the waist, pulling toward his body to prevent me from crashing to the cement. I
December P.O.V “I should not be here," I whispered to myself, fidgeting from foot to foot. I glanced over my shoulder, peering into the shadows. Nothing moved. If anyone followed me, they were keeping themselves hidden. My heart pounded like a drum anyway, sending anxiety churning through me with every heavy beat. The wind rustled through the trees, stirring leaves all up and down the dark block and blowing cold rain into my face. I pulled my coat tightly around me, shivering as my heart jumped up to my throat. And then I huffed at myself for being afraid of the frigid wind blowing in from the lake. I could not help it though. Approximately forty eight hours ago, I saw someone die. No, that is not right. I saw Robert DiFronzo, the biggest mobster in Chicago, kill a man and then drop his body into the river. When I heard the shot, like an idiot, I screamed. He saw me. I know he saw me. I have been running ever since, terrified he was going to come after me,find and end my life th
Callandria P.O.V "Ah," he says quietly, his smirk growing as he pushes the door slowly closed.The quiet click as the latch catched made me flinch. "So you heard what we were saying outside.” "You mean I heard you saying you were going to deal with me?" I demanded, inching closer to the nightstand as if it offers even an ounce of protection. It did not. But I would rather be standing my ground in front of it than beside the luxurious bed. "I swear I would not be easy to deal with, Riccardo DiFronzo." I glared in fury, refusing to show him just how terrified I am. I am a principessa. If he is going to kill me, I will die on my own two feets, screaming defiance. "No?" His smirk turned mocking, his expression hardening. "You are chained to my bed, principessa. Seems easy enough to me." Oh, I hate him. He is exactly like my father. A monster. "Does that make you feel powerful?" I snapped. "Is that what you enjoy? Taking helpless women against their wills?" I run my gaze up and down h
Callandria P.O.V I tossed my phone on my bed, cinching my robe tightly around my waist. It was after three in the morning, but sleep eludes me like usual. This house was too much like a prison. I might be free to come and go as I please, but I was in shackles, nonetheless. They locked into place around my ankles before I was even born. It comes with the territory when you are a Castellano. My grandfather, Tommaso, was one of the most infamous drug lords in Chicago. My father , Mark Castellano was in just as deep as he was. So was my older brother. The fact that I was female did not spare me. If anything, it bounded me even tighter. I may not have taken the vow of Omertà like they did, but I am no freer than my brother, Marcello. I was a principessa. Every moment of my life has been carefully mapped out and planned. I huffed at the reminder, casting a longing glance toward the window.How many times have I wished to climb out of it and disappear into the night? Too many to count. U
Robert P.O.V The crowd at the Chicago Grand Prix continued its rhythmic hum as I moved toward the exit. Castellano was already making his way out, his entourage trailing like obedient shadows. He walked with that same overconfident stride, the same smugness that made my fingers itch to wipe it off his face. He had no idea that this would be the last night he had ever walked so freely. Patricia’s voice echoed in my head as I strode through the crowd, the concern in her tone lingering. She had grown closer to me in a short period of time. I knew everything she did for Lily, though she lied because my sister asked her to,her loyalty still stood with us. She saved Lily's life several times. I just let her go away with lying does not mean I take betrayal kindly. Making her as my bodyguard was a way to keep an eye on her. I did not know what but something felt familiar about her. Patricia did not follow me immediately, but I knew she would. She was not the type to let things go unanswere
Robert P.O.V The crowd at the Chicago Grand Prix buzzed with excitement, their energy matching the roar of engines that reverberated through the night air. The city’s elite had gathered, dressed to impress, sipping on champagne, their conversations blending into the symphony of wealth and ambition. Everyone here was focused on the race, eyes fixed on the track, hearts pounding with the thrill of competition. But mine fixed on someone else. Waiting for someone who has been dancing away from my hold for too long. The race was nothing more than background noise. I was here for only one reason, one that had nothing to do with fast cars or status. Mark Castellano was supposed to be here tonight, and I am waiting for him here like Hades himself waiting for him to take him to my hell. He thought he could double cross me, that he could betray me and my operations and vanish into thin air without any consequences. He was wrong. I stood near the edge of the VIP section, my gaze fixed on the
Nora P.O.V I stepped into the adjacent VIP lounge, my pulse was as steady as possible at that time. I kept my senses on high alert. The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the same tension that accompanied every clandestine meeting in this part of the world. The men barely glanced at me as I entered. For them I was just another waitress, a faceless figure delivering drinks and blending into the background. I placed the tray on the table with a grace that a waitress can only emit, keeping my eyes lowered, feigning the air of someone disinterested in anything but her task. That surely became problematic because of the heels .The men were focused on their conversation, and for a brief moment, I was invisible to them which was helpful. “… no loose ends. We need those records gone by the end of the week,” one of the men, a burly figure with a scar running down his cheek, said in a gruff voice.“He has been in jail for too long. If the records are not wiped clean, it would not matter i
Nora P.O.V The underground street race pulsed with energy. The crowd was a writhing mass of adrenaline and excitement, packed shoulder to shoulder in the smoky, dimly lit warehouse. The roar of engines reverberated off the concrete walls, blending with the shouting of spectators, the pounding bass of the music, and the clinking of glasses. I walked a step behind Robert, flanked by Matteo and Lorenzo, two of his trusted men. We moved through the chaos toward the VIP lounge, a secluded balcony overlooking the track, where only the powerful, the dangerous, and the wealthy gathered. Robert’s presence commanded attention, but he carried himself with calm indifference, his face a mask of control. We entered the lounge, and it was a different world altogether. The noise from the race was muffled, replaced by the low hum of conversation, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. Luxurious leather couches were arranged around the room, the air heavy with the scent of expensive cigars and perfu
Nora P.O.V The training room in the DiFronzo mansion was a blend of luxury in brutality. The walls were lined with weapon racks filled with an arsenal that could arm a small battalion. Swords, knives, firearms, and even archaic weapons gleamed under the dim lighting. The floor was a polished expanse of dark wood, scuffed in places from years of use, and the air carried the scent of sweat, leather, and metal. Most of the DiFronzo's members were already training when I came down here. I adjusted my stance, muscles coiled and ready, as I faced off against Marco, one of the DiFronzo family’s top enforcers. His broad frame loomed in front of me, a mountain of muscle and experience. But I was not intimidated. This was the third opponent I had faced today, and each victory had fueled my confidence. My heartbeat was steady, my breaths controlled. This was where I thrived, in the heat of a fight, where every movement was calculated, every strike a test of precision and power. Marco circled