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CHAPTER 15: THE TRAP SPRINGS
Last Updated:
2024-12-18 05:49:01
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Beneath the Shadows CHAPTER 16: THE WARRIOR PRINCESS
The gunshot rang out, shattering the night. Sienna’s breath caught as she instinctively threw herself sideways, feeling a flash of heat as the bullet grazed her arm.“Sienna!” Enzo’s voice was a sharp command, and before she could even regain her balance, he was at her side, his arm wrapping around her shoulders, pulling her behind him.Marco was faster, though. Before the gunman could fire again, Marco lunged forward, his own gun raised. “Wrong move, friend,” he snarled, squeezing the trigger without hesitation.The gunman crumpled to the ground, a surprised expression frozen on his face.Enzo’s eyes blazed as he scanned the docks for any sign of more intruders. “That was too close,” he muttered, his grip still firm on Sienna’s arm.Sienna winced, glancing down at the thin line of blood trickling down her sleeve. “I’m fine,” she said, though her voice was shaking.Enzo’s gaze hardened as he looked at her arm. “That was reckless.”“I—” She swallowed, trying to steady her voice. “He ca
Last Updated : 2024-12-18Beneath the Shadows CHAPTER 17: CRACKS IN THE WALL
Enzo sat across from Sienna in the dimly lit study, his gaze focused yet distant, as though he were trying to read her mind. The silence stretched between them, thick and heavy, until Sienna could take it no longer.“Why are you looking at me like that?” She asked, folding her arms.He leaned back, crossing his legs, but his eyes never left her. “Just wondering… how much of you I can really trust.”Her eyebrows shot up. “After everything? I thought I’d proven myself by now.”“It’s not that simple.” His voice was calm, almost maddeningly so. “I trust you, but I also know people can wear masks, even if they don’t mean to.”“Is that what you think I’m doing? Wearing a mask?” Her voice was low, almost challenging.Enzo shrugged. “You come from a world of lies and manipulation. Your father, your stepmother… it’s the air you’ve breathed since birth. It’d be hard for anyone to leave that behind entirely.”Sienna’s jaw clenched. “I never chose that world, Enzo. I’ve spent my entire life tryin
Last Updated : 2024-12-19Beneath the Shadows CHAPTER 18: UNEXPECTED BONDING
The night was dark and silent, broken only by the hum of the car’s engine as Enzo and Sienna drove back from the docks. Sienna sat quietly beside him, her face turned toward the window, though she could feel the weight of his gaze on her now and then. Finally, she couldn’t take the silence anymore. “You’ve been quiet.” Enzo’s hands tightened on the wheel. “Not much to say.” She raised an eyebrow, giving him a sidelong glance. “I don’t believe that for a second.” He looked over at her, his eyes flashing in the dim light. “You’re more perceptive than you should be.” “And you’re better at hiding things than most people,” she shot back. “What are you holding back?” He didn’t answer immediately, his gaze flicking back to the road. “Some things are better left unsaid, Sienna.” Sienna let out a frustrated sigh. “You know, if you’d just let me in, you wouldn’t have to keep all these walls up.” He smirked, though his expression was tinged with something softer, something almost
Last Updated : 2024-12-19Beneath the Shadows CHAPTER 19: SPARKS IGNITE
The warehouse was dim, shadows stretching across the high walls as the low hum of voices filled the air. Enzo walked just a few paces ahead of Sienna, his hand hovering protectively at her back as they wove through his men, heading for the makeshift meeting area.Sienna was acutely aware of his closeness, his scent, his touch—every nerve in her body on high alert. And every time he looked back at her, a thrill shot through her, like she was standing on the edge of something exhilaratingly dangerous.“Stick close,” he murmured as they reached a quieter hallway. “Diego’s men have been spotted nearby. They’re bold tonight.”“I can handle myself,” she whispered, giving him a pointed look.He smirked, though his eyes remained serious. “I know. But I’d rather you didn’t have to.”They reached a door, and he opened it, revealing a small, dimly lit room with a table scattered with blueprints and maps. Marco was already inside, nodding at them as they entered.“Boss,” Marco greeted, casting a
Last Updated : 2024-12-20Beneath the Shadows CHAPTER 20: INTO THE SHADOWS
The night air was thick, heavy with anticipation. The warehouse loomed ahead, Diego’s base of operations cloaked in shadows, its silence unsettling. Sienna’s pulse raced, her hand instinctively brushing the small pistol Enzo had pressed into her palm earlier, his instructions echoing in her head.“Only use it if you have to,” he’d murmured, his gaze intense. “And stay close.”She looked up at Enzo now, his face set, unreadable, his focus entirely on the mission. This was his world—the tension, the danger, the calculated risk. And here she was, right beside him, feeling the pull of both fear and exhilaration.Enzo’s voice broke the silence. “Marco, take Luca and flank the east entrance. Mateo, cover the west. Sienna stays with me.” He cast her a quick glance, the hint of a warning in his eyes. “No heroics.”She gave a quick nod, forcing her breath steady. “Got it.”Marco and the others slipped into the darkness, disappearing with practiced stealth. Sienna and Enzo pressed forward, the
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The low crackle of the fireplace filled the room, its amber glow casting shadows across the walls. Sienna sat curled up in an oversized chair, a book open in her lap, though her eyes were fixed on the window. Outside, the city lights shimmered, but her thoughts were elsewhere—on the man who had just walked in.“I thought you’d gone to bed.” Enzo’s deep voice broke the silence as he stepped into the room, a glass of whiskey in hand.Sienna’s gaze shifted to him, her heart skipping a beat. “I couldn’t sleep.”“Trouble on your mind?” He leaned against the mantel, his dark eyes studying her with the same intensity that always made her feel exposed.“The adrenaline rush” she replied, setting the book aside. “You know… from today's event.”“You’ve handled it better than most would,” he said, his voice softer than usual.She arched an eyebrow. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?”“It’s a fact,” he replied, smirking slightly.“Coming from you, I’ll take it as one.” She rose from the chair
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Sienna was yet to overcome the shock of Luca's announcement that her family was here to see her, when she heard the sound of heels clicking against the polished floors echoing down the corridor. Sienna looked up from her seat in the sunlit parlor, her heart sinking as her stepmother, Veronica, appeared in the doorway. Behind her trailed her two half-siblings, Victoria and Julian, both wearing their usual smug expressions.“What are you doing here?” Sienna asked, her tone sharper than she intended.“Well, hello to you too, darling,” Veronica said, sweeping into the room like she owned it. Her crisp, tailored suit and perfectly coiffed hair were as flawless as ever. “Is this how you greet your family now?”“You’re not my family,” Sienna shot back, standing.Victoria smirked, crossing her arms. “Touchy, aren’t we? Living with criminals will do that to a person.”Sienna ignored her, turning to Veronica. “You didn’t answer my question. Why are you here?”“We’re here because we’re worried
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The atmosphere in the room was charged, tension coiling like a live wire ready to snap. It has been like that since the attempted raid by Diego was foiled. Enzo sat at the head of the long oak table, his jaw clenched as he scanned the faces of his inner circle. Marco stood at his right, arms crossed, his usual smirk replaced by a grim frown. Luca, Nico, and a few other lieutenants lingered at the edges, their postures stiff.Sienna sat at the far end of the table, her hands folded in her lap, eyes darting nervously. She could feel the weight of their stares, the silent accusations hanging in the air.“This isn’t just a minor leak,” Enzo began, his voice sharp as a blade. “Torres knew about the shipment route. He knew the exact time, the location, even the codes. That kind of intel doesn’t fall out of the sky.”“We’ve tightened security,” Marco said, his tone clipped. “But it doesn’t matter how tight we go if someone inside is feeding them information.”“Which means it’s someone in thi
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The warm light from the desk lamp cast a soft glow over the dark wood and leather. Enzo sat behind the desk, going over reports. The door creaked open, and Luca stepped in, unannounced but expected.“You’re late,” Enzo said without looking up.Luca smirked as he closed the door. “You never used to care about time when we were running heat in our backstreets.”“Now I care about school runs and quarterly projections,” Enzo replied, setting down his pen. “Different stakes.”Luca nodded and sat across from him. “It’s quieter out there.”Enzo raised an eyebrow. “Too quiet?”“There’s a vacuum, Enzo. Since you left… there’s no one solid holding things together.”“That’s not my concern anymore.”Luca leaned back, studying him. “You always had the head for order. Even when we were knee-deep in mess, you brought structure. People respected that.”“And feared it,” Enzo muttered. “Don’t romanticize it, Luca.”“I’m not. I’m telling you there’s instability. Factions forming, reckless kids stepping
Beneath the Shadows CHAPTER 97: LIVING THE LIFE
The late afternoon sun filtered through the kitchen windows, casting a golden hue across the counters. Sienna stood barefoot at the island, cutting strawberries for Lucia, who sat in her high chair, babbling to herself and occasionally tossing fruit to the floor.“Sweetheart,” Sienna said, laughing, “the food goes in your mouth, not under the fridge.”Lucia squealed in delight, clearly unconcerned.Enzo entered, sleeves rolled up, loosened tie around his neck. He leaned down, kissing Lucia’s forehead and then Sienna’s cheek.“Smells good in here,” he murmured.“That’s because it’s strawberries and not one of your protein shakes,” she teased.He chuckled. “Fair.”They watched Lucia for a moment, both quiet.“She’s growing fast,” Sienna said softly. “Seems like just yesterday I was waddling through this house, cursing swollen ankles.”Enzo smiled, resting a hand on her back. “And now she’s tossing berries like confetti.”Sienna turned to look at him. “Have you ever thought about having
Beneath the Shadows CHAPTER 96: GIVING BACK
Sienna adjusted the collar of her blouse as she stood in front of the small group of women seated in folding chairs. A banner hung behind her, the freshly printed letters reading: Lucia Foundation – Hope Beyond the Shadows. Natalia stood off to the side, clipboard in hand, giving her an encouraging nod.“You’ve got this,” Natalia whispered.Sienna smiled, then took a breath and stepped forward.“Thank you all for coming today. I know how hard it can be to walk into a room like this. I’ve been where you are. Caught in a world that told me silence was survival.”A murmur of agreement rippled through the group.“But silence isn’t strength,” Sienna continued. “Community is. And that’s what we’re building here.”After the session ended, Natalia approached her with a wide grin. “You were amazing. The women were hanging on every word.”Sienna exhaled, wiping her palms on her skirt. “I was terrified.”“Didn’t show.”Just then, Sienna’s phone buzzed. It was a picture from Federico—baby Lucia n
Beneath the Shadows CHAPTER 95: A GHOST OF THE FUTURE
Enzo leaned back in his chair, flipping through the latest quarterly report. The numbers didn’t lie. His lips curled into a wide smile just as Federico walked in, looking confident, sleeves rolled up and phone still in hand.Enzo raised a brow. “That the final call?”Federico nodded, tossing his phone onto the desk. “Done. They signed.”Enzo blinked. “You closed it?”Federico smirked. “I told you I would.”Enzo stood and walked around the desk. “You got them to agree to our terms? All of them?”“Every single one,” Federico said, voice calm but proud. “Distribution rights, branding control, full autonomy for expansion in the next region.”“Jesus,” Enzo muttered, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “That’s huge, Fed. This deal alone will cover our overhead for the next six months.”Federico chuckled. “Told you to trust me.”“I do trust you,” Enzo said, then added with a smirk, “But I didn’t expect you to wipe the floor with their legal team.”“They tried to box me in,” Federico said, settl
Beneath the Shadows CHAPTER 94: ONE LAST CHANCE
Enzo stood behind the counter of his café, sleeves rolled up, taking a break. The late afternoon crowd had thinned, leaving a calm lull in the air. The door chimed softly.Nico stepped in, dressed down in jeans and a black hoodie, eyes scanning the space.“Didn’t peg you for the espresso crowd,” Enzo said, smirking as he glanced up.Nico shrugged. “Didn’t come for coffee.Enzo picked up his coffee. “Then come on. Back patio’s quiet.”They moved out to the enclosed terrace, where potted herbs lined the walls and the city noise faded behind a curtain of green. Nico sat, drumming his fingers on the table.Enzo leaned back in his chair. “Talk to me.”“I’ve been thinking,” Nico started, eyes distant. “Things are shifting. Luca’s hanging by a thread. Everyone’s watching their backs. It’s not the life it used to be.”“It never was,” Enzo replied. “We just convinced ourselves it was worth the cost.”Nico looked up. “You made it out. Legit. I didn’t think it was possible, but you did it.”“It
Beneath the Shadows CHAPTER 93: BABY ON BOARD
Sienna pressed a hand to her belly, breathing through the tightness that gripped her. The restaurant bustled around her, waiters weaving between tables, the scent of fresh pasta and espresso filling the air. She tried to focus on the conversation with her friend, but another sharp pain made her grip the edge of the table.“Are you okay?” her friend, Natalia asked, concern flickering in her eyes.Sienna exhaled slowly. “I think—I think it’s happening.”Natalia’s eyes widened. “Now? Sienna, we need to call Enzo.”Sienna nodded, fumbling for her phone. Her hands trembled as she hit Enzo’s number. He picked up on the first ring.“Hey, piccola. What’s wrong?”She sucked in a breath, another contraction making her voice waver. “It’s time.”A chair scraped loudly on the other end. “Where are you?”“At the restaurant. I was meeting Natalia—”“I’m on my way.” His voice was sharp with urgency. “Stay put.”The call ended, and Natalia stood, waving down a waiter. “We need to get her somewhere mor
Beneath the Shadows CHAPTER 92: TWO SIDES OF A COIN
Alessandro DeLuca sat in the sparsely furnished living room, an empty glass in his hand, staring at the pile of unpaid bills scattered across the table. The walls around him felt smaller, suffocating.The front door opened, and Veronica stepped inside, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor. She wasn’t alone—Julian and Victoria trailed behind her, their expressions unreadable.Alessandro straightened. “You’re back.”Veronica met his gaze, but there was no warmth in her eyes. “Only to get the rest of our things.”His stomach dropped. “What?”She sighed, placing her purse down. “I’m leaving, Alessandro. For good. And the kids are coming with me.”Julian, arms crossed, stood firm. “We don’t want to be part of this anymore, Dad.”Victoria, barely holding back tears, nodded. “Mom’s right. It’s not safe here.”Alessandro’s jaw clenched. “Safe? I’m your father. You think running away is the answer?”Veronica stepped closer, her voice calm but unwavering. “You burned every bridge, Ales
Beneath the Shadows CHAPTER 91: THE CONTRACT
The air inside the office was thick with tension. Federico paced near the window, eyes darting to the street below. Enzo, seated at his desk, flipped a pen between his fingers, his expression unreadable."Word's out," Federico finally said, his voice low. "Everyone knows you've left. Some think you're weak. Others think you’re a liability. And then there are the ones who just want you gone."Enzo didn’t react. He merely leaned back in his chair, the pen still spinning. "And which one sent the hitman?"Federico scoffed. "Does it matter? The fact is, someone’s coming. And we need to be ready."A long silence stretched between them. Enzo finally put the pen down, lacing his fingers together. "How sure are you?""Nico sent word. Said he caught wind of something through one of his informants. A contract’s been put out. Clean, quiet, professional. Someone wants you buried without a trace."Enzo sighed. "Any names?"Federico hesitated. "Just one. Matteo Ricci."Enzo’s brow furrowed. "Ricci?
Beneath the Shadows CHAPTER 90: A BREAKING POINT
Enzo sat alone in the dimly lit restaurant, the low hum of conversation filling the space. He checked his watch. Ten minutes past the agreed time.He shouldn’t have come.But when Massimo Guiliani requested a meeting, you didn’t ignore it. Not unless you were prepared for the consequences.The door at the back of the restaurant swung open, and a man stepped in. Massimo Guiliani—old but still sharp, his silver hair neatly combed back, his suit pristine. He moved with the careful confidence of someone who had outlived most of his enemies.“Enzo,” Guiliani greeted, sliding into the booth across from him. “It’s been a long time.”“Not long enough,” Enzo said, leaning back. “Let’s skip the pleasantries. Why am I here?”Guiliani chuckled, shaking his head. “Always straight to business. That’s what I always liked about you.”Enzo remained silent.Guiliani signalled the waiter, ordering a whiskey for himself and a water for Enzo. “Still keeping that sharp mind clear, I see.”“I don’t have tim
