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
Nora P.O.V We pulled up to a weathered apartment building on the bad side of town. The streets were cracked, littered with broken bottles and crumpled paper bags, and the walls of the nearby buildings were covered in fading graffiti. The people here looked rough, wearing old clothes and eyeing us with suspicion as we parked the car. A group of men huddled around a broken fire hydrant, speaking in hushed voices, watching us as we walked past. The stairs creaked beneath our feet as we ascended to the fourth floor. The walls were stained with grime and covered in old posters and faded gang tags. Paint was peeling off in large flakes, revealing the mould underneath. The air was thick with humidity and the smell of sweat, smoke, and something else I didn’t want to think about. “This place is a dump,” Lee muttered, glancing around at this shady area of the city. “Yeah,” I agreed, keeping my voice low. “Let’s just get this over with.” When we finally reached the fourth floor, we sto
Nora P.O.V"I need all the reports on this case as fast as possible." I handed over a thick file to one of the junior detectives as we stood waiting for the elevator."Yes, ma'am," he replied quickly, taking the file just as the elevator bell rang, and the doors slid open. We stepped out together, the hallway buzzing with the usual office noise.Suddenly, the floor’s intercom crackled to life, the voice echoing through the walls. “Detective Stevenson, conference room, now.”I looked up, my brow furrowing in mild annoyance. "Now what happened?" I muttered to myself, glancing at the ceiling as if it held the answer. Everyone on the floor was looking at me, either happy that they are not in my place or happy I am the one who is going to the wolf's den . Nothing comes good from this type of calls.Handing the remaining files over to the junior detective, I instructed, "Take these and put them on my desk." He nodded in understanding and hurried off as I began making my way to the conferenc
Nora P.O.V The dressing room was dimly lit, its walls lined with vanity mirrors surrounded by faded, yellowed bulbs. I leaned into one of the mirrors, smoothing the blush on my cheekbone with a flick of the brush, watching how the shadows played against my face. My reflection looked like a different person—long pink hair cascading down in waves, lips painted deep red, and golden eyeshadow making my eyes gleam beneath hazel brown contacts. The makeup was thick, almost theatrical, but it did its job of transforming me. I caught the strap of my lacey black bra and adjusted it slightly. It barely covered anything, hugging my curves tightly and pushing my chest up in a way that almost felt obscene. The matching skirt was a joke—so short it clung to my hips and left my legs bare, nothing more than an afterthought against my skin. The outfit was designed to catch attention, but it wasn’t mine they’d be focusing on tonight. A knock at the door made me pause. "Crystal, you’re up next!" ca
Nora P.O.VHidden in the darkness of the club ,far from the crowd we were two seconds away strangling each other's throats."You have been pushing too hard, Nora," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "He is not going to fall for it if he thinks you are onto him.”I glared at him, frustration bubbling beneath my cool exterior. "I know what I am doing, Layson. I do not need you to babysit me.”His jaw clenched slightly, and he lowered his voice even more. "This is not a solo operation. We are supposed to be working together, remember?”I bit the inside of my cheek, forcing myself to keep my composure. "Fine," I snapped. "What is the plan then, partner?”Layson glanced around again, then leaned in slightly, his breath hot against my ear as he spoke quietly. "He is heading to the VIP section. I will keep an eye on him from the floor, but we need to be subtle. The man already has an eye on you.”I raised an eyebrow, feeling a little annoyed by his overly cautious approach but noddin
Nora P.O.V “Come here.” His voice was a low, demanding rumble that cut through the haze of smoke and the distant hum of music. I swayed my hips as I moved toward him, letting the curve of my body lead the way. The room seemed to darken around me, the dim pink light casting seductive shadows on my skin. My thong, discarded earlier near the stage, lay forgotten on the floor. I approached his chair, placing one hand delicately on the armrest. Slowly, I slid it along the worn leather, letting my fingers trace a path up to the top of the couch as I circled behind him. His eyes never left me, following every move. When I reached the other side of the chair, I leaned in, just enough to bring my lips close to his ear. My breath brushed against his skin as I smiled down at him, letting the moment linger. I stood up straight , about to walk away but before I could relish it, his hand shot up and grabbed mine, pulling me down onto his lap with one swift motion.His strength surprised me. M
Robert P.O.VI sat in my office, staring at the financial report spread across my desk. The numbers were not adding up. Not just by a little—there was a noticeable gap, money missing that could not be explained away as an accounting error. My irritation slowly grew into a simmering rage. I pinched the bridge of my nose. I felt the headache was starting to come back. I looked at the report before me, I felt like my pulses began to throb. I slammed the report shut, the sound echoing through the room. It was unacceptable. I had been in Italy for only a month, expanding business ties and securing partnerships that would further solidify my control. And now, the second I returned, I was faced with this mess.Just fucking great.I hit the intercom. “RICCARDO, GET IN HERE. NOW.” I barked . I need a drink.Riccardo, my second-in-command, entered a few moments later. He could tell by my expression this conversation was not going to end up good and he is thinking right. He straightened his pos
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