Robert P.O.V I walked into the kitchen, the scent of warm dough and fresh herbs filling the air. The soft afternoon light filtered through the windows, casting golden streaks across the countertops. At the center of it all stood Lily, my little sister, her small hands expertly kneading dough. Flour dusted her apron and streaked her cheek, but she barely seemed to notice. When she looked up and saw me enter, her face lit up with a familiar warmth that eased some of the tension coiled in my chest. “Hey, big brother,” she greeted, her tone playful as she worked the dough with practice ease. I leaned down, wrapping an arm around her shoulders in a side hug and pressing a kiss to her temple. She had always been the heart of our home, the one constant in a world that never stopped shifting. “What are you making this time?” I asked, peering over her shoulder at the soft, pliant mass beneath her fingers. “Just some bread for lunch,” she replied, rolling her eyes as she sprinkled more flour
Robert P.O.VThe metal door to the interrogation room swung open with a sharp creak, and I was led inside by two officers, their hands gripping my arms. The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of stale coffee and cigarette smoke. They shoved me down into a cold, metal chair, my hands still bound by cuffs, clinking as they hit the table in front of me.I leaned forward slightly, resting my joined hands on the table, assessing the situation with calm detachment. Across from me, two detectives, Carter and Reynolds, sat down. Their eyes were sharp, eager, like vultures circling prey. I did not give them anything—my face remained impassive, unreadable.Carter started first, his voice low and calculated. “So, DiFronzo. You know why you are here. Why do not we make this easy and—”I said nothing, staring at him with the same coldness. I could see the frustration flicker behind his eyes, but he pressed on, leaning forward as if he was trying to intimidate me.“Let’s not play game
Nora P.O.VI was sitting in the surveillance room, staring at the monitor as the interrogation unfolded. Robert DiFronzo sat across from the two detectives, he had a cool and calculating look in his eyes. He had not said a word since they brought him in. His hands were cuffed, but his posture was relaxed, like this was just another business meeting for him. We could hear what they were saying through the mic hidden in the corner of the room.The detectives were trying hard, throwing accusation after accusation at him, pushing for some kind of crack in his armour. But Robert was unfazed. He sat there, silently, like a rock in the storm. His expression gave away nothing, not even a flicker of fear or guilt.“He is toying with them,” I muttered under my breath.My senior, Detective Harrison, was sitting beside me. He’d been in the game for years, seen things that would make most people walk away from this job. But today, he looked as frustrated as I felt.“He knows we do not have any sol
Nora P.O.VI stopped my car just outside the mansion, its towering iron gates looming ahead. One of DiFronzo’s men with broad-shouldered, face concealed behind a pair of dark aviator glasses approached. I handed over the fake ID, my heart pounding beneath my calm exterior. Without a word, he took my ID and placed it on the scanner. A green light cast on the ID and moved down.“The ID is successfully matched,” a mechanical voice chimed from the gate’s scanner.I exhaled slowly as the gates began to creak open,their heavy iron frames creaking as they revealed the sprawling estate beyond. The DiFronzo mansion was more than just a home—it was a fortress. A long stretch of well-manicured gardens and stone paths led to the grand entrance, its sheer size and opulence unmistakable.I drove inside, gripping the steering wheel tightly. I looked down at the ID on the driving seat, my mind flashed back to Cyber’s word.“Take this,” Cyber had said, handing me the fake ID, passport, and driver’s lic
Nora P.O.VMy gaze landed on the table of weapons again. I needed to choose carefully for this round. The knife had served me well, but against their best, I would need something faster, something that would give me an edge. My fingers hovered over a pair of brass knuckles before I picked them up, the cold metal biting into my skin. This would work for me.As I strapped the knuckles onto my hands, I watched as the others armed themselves. Some chose heavier weapons but I knew that strength alone would not get me through this.“Begin,” Riccardo ordered, and chaos erupted.The first wave of attackers was swift. DiFronzo’s men, hulking masses of muscle and aggression, moved like well-trained wolves, picking their targets and attacking with precision. The room filled with the clang of steel, grunts of effort, and the occasional sharp crack of bones breaking. I ducked low, dodging a swing aimed at my head. The man who had targeted me was fast, but his aggression made him sloppy.He came at
Robert P.O.VI sat behind my desk, the dim light casting shadows across the room as I sifted through the files of the final five candidates.My men had done well. The candidates were battle-hardened, skilled, and ruthless. But there was something odd about Riccardo, my second-in-command today. He had been hovering near me all evening. His posture tense, his face a mask of uncertainty, but I could tell there was something on his mind. He was not one to hesitate, especially not with me.I closed the file I had been reading and looked up at him. “Spit it out, Riccardo.”He shifted, clearly weighing his words. “It is probably nothing but…”“But?” I urged him to continue.“It is one of the candidates.Her name is Patricia Walker.” I frowned. Her name was not particularly ringing for me. “She has lower experience compared to the others, but...” he hesitated, as if unsure how to explain what was troubling him. ““But what? Just say it.” I prompted, leaning back in my chair, curiosity piqued.
Nora P.O.VThe maid led me down a long, winding hallway to my room. My body ached from the fight, muscles sore from the strain of the interview. I was not expecting to feel this level of exhaustion so soon. When she stopped in front of the door, I could only hope for some relief on the other side.She turned the brass handle and pushed it open. “This is your room,” she said quietly before stepping aside to let me pass.The room was bigger than I expected. The floors were dark hardwood, polished to a shine, while the walls were painted a deep, warm grey giving it a modern yet luxurious look. A massive king-size bed sat in the centre, the black iron frame sleek and elegant. The bedding was crisp white, contrasting sharply against the dark tones of the room. Pillows were arranged neatly, and a thick black comforter was draped across the bottom of the bed. Two nightstands flanked it, each adorned with sleek silver lamps. A plush armchair sat in the corner by a tall window, the soft light o
Nora P.O.VFlashback begins….At night of abduction The club was packed, the bass of the music thumping through the walls and into my chest.My leather jacket and jeans helped me blend in, disappear into the mass of bodies that swayed and pulsed with the rhythm. The air was thick with sweat, alcohol, and the underlying tension of the fights that raged in the back rooms. It was a breeding ground for chaos.Patricia was not hard to spot. She sat at the bar, leaning casually against the counter, her drink nearly drained. It seems like she had just finished her fight.Her leather jacket clung to her frame, the tough exterior matching her ‘I do not give a shit’ attitude. Her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail. She looked like a person who screams like if you fuck with me I will fuck you up.I slid onto a stool a few seats away from her, ordered a drink, and let my eyes roam casually around the room. I did not need to draw any attention to myself. The bartender handed me my drink, and
Robert P.O.VThree Years LaterA cold wind swept through the empty cemetery, ruffling my hair as I knelt down, placing two bouquets on the weathered tombstones before me. The scent of fresh lilies and roses mixed with the crisp autumn air, a stark contrast to the lingering memories buried beneath the soil.I exhaled slowly, my breath visible in the chilly air. It was hard to believe three years had passed since I left Chicago, the mafia, and everything tied to the DiFronzo name. My father’s greed had destroyed too many lives, and when he died, the name died with him. Aldo's reign ended that day too along with the rest of them.The DiFronzo mafia was no more.Now, I was going with the name Liam James, a man free from the blood-soaked legacy of my past. My siblings, Nora, Cyber, and I had erased every trace of our existence, changing our identities and building a new life in Los Angeles. No more hiding from enemies. No more looking over our shoulders. For the first time, we were truly f
Nora P.O.VThe ship was a floating palace. The main deck, where the ceremony was set, was transformed into an elegant wedding venue. Rows of white chairs with gold trimmings faced a raised platform, where an altar stood beneath an arch of white roses and ivy. Fairy lights twinkled above like scattered stars, woven through the railings and draped along the ceiling. Round tables lined the sides, covered in pristine white tablecloths, adorned with golden candelabras and delicate glassware. The sea breeze carried the scent of fresh flowers, mixing with the salty air.A large dance floor stretched across the center, polished to a shine, reflecting the glow of the chandeliers hanging from the ship’s canopy. The bar area was stocked with premium liquor, arranged like jewels on mirrored shelves. Every detail screamed luxury, meant to impress the high-status guests that filled the space.But beneath the opulence, danger lurked.I moved through the crowd, blending in my black and white uniform.
Nora P.O.V "This is the final phase of our operation," Director Hastings began. "We have spent months tracking down the real mastermind behind the murders, the illegal trades, and the setup against the DiFronzo family. They wanted law enforcement to take down the DiFronzos for them, and when that did not work, they set their sights on wiping out the family themselves on a damn cruise ship, no less." A murmur passed through the room. Everyone had read the mission files, but nothing is going to make this operation easier. A mass execution at a wedding, orchestrated with such precision, was ruthless even by mafia standards. "The plan remains the same," Hastings continued. "We infiltrate as wedding staff. There will be real employees working alongside us, and some of the guests will be innocent. We do not move until they do. The last thing we need is to blow our cover too soon. Many of the men working under the DiFronzo name actually report to our target. We cannot afford a misstep.”
Nora P.O.V My feet barely touched the ground as I hurried up the grand staircase, taking two steps at a time. My flight had landed just thirty minutes ago, and I hadn’t even stopped to catch my breath. There was no time. I needed to tell Robert what Aldo was planning. The moment the taxi dropped me off outside the DiFronzo mansion, I rushed to the door, rapping my knuckles against it sharply. The maid who answered looked at me in confusion, likely startled by my urgency. "Where’s Robert?" I demanded. She hesitated for only a second before responding, “Sir is in his office.” I did not wait for anything else. Turning on my heels, I strode down the corridor, my pulse hammering against my ribs. The heavy doors of Robert’s office loomed ahead, and without a second thought, I twisted the handle and barged in. "Robert, Aldo is—" My words died on my tongue as I took in the scene before me. Robert sat behind his massive desk, his fingers laced together as he leaned slightly forward, hi
Nora P.O.V I unzipped my suitcase and pulled out the outfit I had chosen for tonight was a fitted black top, dark pants, and a baseball cap. I am probably going to undress but it is the least of my worries. It was a night for business. I needed to stay unnoticed, to slip in and out without drawing attention. Lifting the small black bag from my suitcase, I ran my fingers over its surface. Inside, the blue diamonds rested like a fortune in my grasp. It feels like yesterday when I stole them from under DiFronzo's nose . Just in few months a lot has changed. I can not believe that just in a short span of time I am able to fall in love and break my heart. The family that I wanted to bring down, I began to protect them but a lot of growing had also happened on my part . They did not deserve my hate for my uncle's death when they were not even involved other than Robert Sr. I hate that bastard . If everything goes as planned, by the end of the night, they would be sold, and I would walk a
Nora P.O.V It had been almost a week since Robert’s engagement, and in that time, we barely acknowledged each other. We kept our distance, stayed professional, and avoided unnecessary conversations. The house felt off like something was out of place, yet no one dared to question it. Stella had almost moved into the DiFronzo mansion, flaunting her presence in a way that made my stomach turn. Meanwhile, Robert practically buried himself in work, meeting with no one unless absolutely necessary. Nothing made sense anymore. Now, in his office at DiFronzo Enterprises, I stood behind his chair as he spoke with an accountant, discussing the expenditure of a recent project. Out of all the businesses under the DiFronzo name, this was one of their legal ones, a clean investment. Robert listened with a detached expression, signing papers without looking up. The accountant left after the meeting, carrying the finalized reports. As soon as the door clicked shut, Robert turned toward me. “Patri
Nora P.O.V I ran my fingers down the fabric of my dress, smoothing out the silk as I gazed at my reflection in the full-length mirror. The black and red gown hugged my figure perfectly, the intricate floral lace carving delicate patterns over the sheer black overlay, while the royal red silk underneath added a touch of richness. The detachable black skirt trailed behind me like a shadow, enhancing my every step with an air of mystery. My dark waves cascaded over my shoulders, shining under the dim glow of the vanity lights like a river kissed by moonlight. I had returned to the DiFronzo estate this morning after completing the case, though formalities had dragged the process out longer than expected. I hadn’t spoken to Robert properly since I left a few days ago. Our last interaction had been brief, filled with unspoken words and unreadable expressions. Lily had barely given me a moment to settle in before dragging me off for dress shopping, her excitement contagious despite my exh
Nora P.O.V The room was steeped in darkness, the kind that felt suffocating, pressing in from all sides. The only source of illumination was a weak, flickering bulb hanging from the ceiling, its light barely reaching the corners of the space. The bulb swung slightly, creaking on its loose fixture, casting long, shifting shadows over the stacks of cardboard boxes piled against the walls. The air inside was thick with dust and the stale scent of sweat and old wood. Each breath I took felt heavy, tainted by something metallic smell. The distant echoes of gunfire and chaos outside barely reached this place, but even with all of that, nothing in this room disturbed me more than the sight before me. Layson’s arms and legs were tightly restrained with thick ropes, the fibers biting into his skin. His face was a mess of bruises, his right eye swollen, his lip split open, and a deep gash above his brow left a jagged streak of blood trailing down the side of his face. The blood had begun to d
Nora P.O.V The warehouse loomed ahead, its steel exterior bathed in the pale glow of the distant streetlights. A thick, eerie silence blanketed the area, broken only by the occasional rustle of the wind against the stacked shipping containers. The air was tense, charged with the weight of the mission ahead. Inside, Layson and his son were being held captive by the Cutlers, and there was no telling what condition they were in. Our van was parked a few yards away, tucked into the shadows, where Cyber and his team monitored the interior movements. The dim glow of their screens illuminated their faces, their fingers flying over keyboards as they fed us real-time updates through our Bluetooth devices. “Heat signatures confirm at least two dozen men inside,” Cyber’s voice crackled in my ear. “More might be deeper in. No sign of Layson or the child yet, but we are tracking.” I nodded, my grip tightening around my firearm as I surveyed the agents standing with me. I had already distribut