CHAPTER 12Antonio sat on the couch, cradling his glass of Baron in his hand, the amber liquid glowing softly in the dim light. He took a sip, the smooth whiskey warming his throat as he awaited Viktor's arrival. Their mission to retrieve Luciana was mere hours away, and Antonio's mind was consumed by thoughts of the elusive woman.He couldn't believe she'd managed to escape him. The memory still burned in his mind like a branding iron. He'd underestimated her, thinking her weak and timid. But Luciana had proven to be a worthy adversary, outsmarting his men, Ms. Grace and slipping through his fingers like sand.Antonio's mind wandered to Alessandro's notorious reputation, and a flicker of fear danced in his chest. He knew what that man was capable of. If Luciana were to get killed, the entire operation would be for nothing, and he would never avenge his mother's death at the hands of her father.He took another sip of his drink, steeling himself against the creeping doubts. Fear wa
CHAPTER 13As Luciana slowly regained consciousness, a throbbing ache chimed through her head. She struggled to sit up, but her movements were severely restricted. She became confused and alarmed as she realized her wrists and ankles were bound by cold, rigid metal.She lifted her left hand, and the chain of the handcuff clanked against the surface beneath her. A similar restraint encircled her right wrist. She began panicking as she tried to move her legs, only to discover they were also secured by handcuffs. Despite the searing pain in her wrists, Luciana continued to struggle against the unforgiving metal cuffs. But her struggle was interrupted by the sound of a calm, velvety baritone voice that seemed to awaken the spirit within her.“stop wasting your time.”She turned her head to locate the source of the sound, and Antonio's face came into view as he switched on the lamp beside him. He sat on a plush armchair, his eyes fixed intently on her."I made sure you couldn't escape
CHAPTER 14Ms. Grace and another maid, entered Luciana's room with a tray laden with an assortment of Italy's finest dishes: steaming risotto alla Milanese, tender osso buco, freshly baked focaccia, and a simple yet elegant caprese salad. As Ms. Grace approached the bed, her eyes widened in disbelief, and her legs seemed to freeze in a spot. She stood there, her gaze fixed on Luciana, who lay handcuffed to the bed. The tray in Ms. Grace's hands trembled slightly, threatening to overthrow the delicate balance of the dishes. Her expression transformed from calm to concern, she couldn’t understand what was going on.She looked at Luciana’s face and back to the handcuff. Her mouth seemed like it was searching for the right word to utter, but none came. She slowly walked to the bedside and carefully set the tray on the bedside table.“clean that up and replace it with a new vase.” Ms. Vase instructed the maid. As soon as the maid left the room, she ran to Luciana’s side." oh dear, wh
CHAPTER 15Antonio stormed into his room, slamming the door behind him. He strode over to the window, and yanked it open to let in a gust of cool evening air. He leaned against the sill, his eyes watching the darkening landscape as he struggled to calm his racing thoughts.His mind replayed the events of the past hour: the confrontation with Ms. Grace, Luciana's defiance, and the unsettling sight of his own blood-stained palm. He stormed into the bathroom, and began scrubbing his hands under scalding water as if trying to wash away the reality of his situation. The blood was gone, but he continued to scrub, adding more soap, his stability, becoming increasingly frantic.He opened the bathroom cabinet, sending toiletries crashing to the floor. Grabbing a bottle of hand sanitizer, he applied a massive quantity to his palm, the antiseptic smell stinging his nostrils. Frustration overwhelmed him as he threw the bottle across the bathroom, shattering the mirror and sending shards of gl
CHAPTER 16Antonio clutched his fist in fury, he couldn't shake off the feeling that his world would crumble if Alessandro had Luciana again. His father would berate him for being incompetent.He thought back to the events that led him to this point, to the choices he made and the secrets he kept.As a child, he had always felt like an outsider in his own family. His father, a ruthless businessman and the head of the silician Mafia family , had always prioritized power and wealth over his son's well-being. Antonio's mother, Maria, had been his only source of comfort and love.But when Maria was assassinated, he was left alone to face his father's cruelty. He was forced to grow up too quickly, learning about guns and dark secrets Mafia has to hide from the world.As he grew older, Antonio became determined to prove himself to his father, to show him that he was worthy of respect and love. But no matter how hard he tried, he could never seem to measure up.His thoughts were interrupted
CHAPTER 17 TB(Throwback) Antonio sat in the extravagant restaurant, the soft hum of conversation and the clinking of fine china creating a sense of refinement and elegance. He sat alongside his father, Donatello, a man whose presence commanded respect and inspired fear. They were in a meeting with Italian's finest business men. Across from them, his mother, Maria, chatted amiably with Ms. Grace, her eyes sparkling with warmth. As the conversation flowed, Maria excused herself, pushing back her chair. "I'll just get something from the car," she said, smiling at Antonio. He watched as she walked out of the restaurant, her slender figure disappearing into the bright sunlight. His gaze followed her outside, drifting to the parking lot. And then, in an instant, everything changed. Maria's body jerked violently, her arms flailing as she crumpled to the ground. Antonio's eyes widened in horror as he saw the flashes of gunfire, heard the muffled reports of the shots. His mother h
CHAPTER 18 TB The air was filled with the scent of incense and freshly cut flowers as the mourners prepared to bid their final farewell to Maria, Antonio's mother. The funeral procession wound its way through the streets, led by a sleek black hearse adorned with intricate gold accents. Behind it, a sea of somber faces followed, their eyes cast downward in respect. As they arrived at the cemetery, the sound of mournful music filled the air, played by a lone violinist standing atop a nearby hill. The melody was haunting, a traditional Italian lament that seemed to capture the sorrow of the occasion. Donatello's face was a mask of stone as he gazed out at the crowd. He wore dark shades so no one could catch a glimpse of the pain he felt at losing his wife. Antonio, meanwhile, was a picture of devastation. His eyes were red-rimmed from crying, his face pale and drawn. He clutched a single white rose in his hand, his fingers trembling as he gazed at the coffin. As the priest be
CHAPTER 19 TB Luciana wove through the vibrant stalls of the Columbia Market, her mother, Estana, by her side. The scent of fresh fruit and spices filled the air as they chatted with the market women. "¡Mira, Luciana! Look at these beautiful mangos," Estana exclaimed, holding up a juicy fruit. "¡Ay, señora! You're going to make me cry with your bargaining skills," the vendor joked, as Estana negotiated the price. Luciana laughed and playfully rolled her eyes. "Mama, you're going to give her a heart attack." Estana chuckled and handed Luciana a few mangos. "Take these, m'ija. We'll make a delicious salsa for dinner." As they continued through the market, they stopped at a stall selling colorful textiles. Estana admired a vibrant scarf, and the vendor, began to tell them about the traditional Colombian patterns. "¡Este es un diseño muy especial (This design is very special)" the vendor explained, pointing out the intricate motifs. Estana's eyes sparkled with interest. "¡
CHAPTER 33“what?” Luciana sat upright on the bed. “you really think my father killed her?”“I didn’t say he did. I meant, if what I heard about the event was true, then it means he did. But I wasn’t present on that day, so I don’t want to make assumptions.” Mia replied.Luciana's face crumpled, and she covered her face with her palms. The sound of her sobs filled the room, heart-wrenching and raw. Mia quickly wrapped her arms around Luciana, trying to comfort her, but Luciana's grief was overwhelming. She didn't stop crying, her body shaking with each anguished sob.Luciana pulled her face from her hands, her eyes red-rimmed and puffy from crying. "I don't understand," she sniffed. “why would he do that? Why did he kill her?”Mia's hands moved gently, continuing to rub Luciana's shoulders in a soothing motion. Her face was filled with sympathy, and her eyes, with compassion. She didn’t know how to respond to Luciana’s anguish, and instead offered a gentle, comforting silence.Luciana
CHAPTER 32Luciana ushered Mia into her room, her mind racing with questions. Why was Mia being so friendly all of a sudden? Luciana's instincts screamed that something was off."Does she have a mission?" Luciana wondered, her thoughts swirling with suspicion. Hadn't Mia snitched on Antonio's family? Was she next on her list? “so he really did it.” She laughed."Wow," she exclaimed as she entered the room, running her fingers over the plush king-sized mattress. She straightened the hem of the duvet, her gaze taking in every detail."he really did it," Mia said, a low laugh escaping her lips.“did what?” Luciana asked, puzzled."Oh, he didn't tell you, did he?" Mia smiled enigmatically "Tell me what?" she pressed.Mia chuckled. "Right. I know he wouldn't have the guts to." She strolled into the bathroom, inhaling the fragrance of the flowers in the vase by the bathtub."Is there something wrong? Please, just tell me already."Mia walked back into the room. "This is Aunt Maria's room
CHAPTER 31Antonio pushed the plates away from him, as he wiped his mouth with a paper tissue. The rest of the table sensed a storm brewing."Ladies," Antonio began, addressing Sophia and Ms. Grace. "If you'd excuse us, we have some personal matters to discuss."Sophia let out a derisive raspberry in annoyance. "Of course, there's always something better than having a normal family lunch," she said as she pushed her chair back and stormed out, the sound of her heels echoing through the hall.Ms. Grace rose up and gave a gracious bow. "I apologize, sirs." She walked away, the door closing behind her with a soft click, leaving the men to their tense discussion."why did you shoot Donald?" Donatello asked. He sipped the last of his wine, his eyes locked on Domenico."Brother, the debt was getting out of hand," Domenico defended. "Something had to be done."Donatello shook his head. "And shooting him was the only resourceful thing you could think of? That’s the only family I can trust to
CHAPTER 30Luciana entered the dining room, joining Antonio and his family for lunch. Her gaze swept the table, taking in the tense atmosphere. A stunning young brunette sat beside Domenico, her presence seeming to contribute to the strained silence.She looked round the table, noticing Sophia’s absence. This was the first time Sophia hadn't been present for lunch. Just as she settled her napkin on her lap, Sophia and Ms. Grace arrived, their entrance drawing Luciana's attention."Talk of the devil," Luciana murmured under her breath, rolling her eyes in annoyance.Her gaze followed Ms. Grace as she took a seat beside Viktor. Why was Ms. Grace joining them for lunch today?Donatello cleared his throat and they began to eat. “I’d like everyone to welcome the newest member of the family, Mia Morano.” He announced, beaming at her.“she isn’t welcomed here dad, you know this.” Antonio said.“it’s not you who decides who is welcomed here or not.” Donatello replied, still smiling at Mia.“t
CHAPTER 29Antonio stood in front of the large wooden desk in his study, meticulously polishing his favorite silver watch. The watch was a gift from his mother on his twenty-fourth birthday, received just days before she passed away. He held it up to the light, admiring the way the sunlight danced across its intricate engravings. A sense of fulfillment washed over him, still fresh from discovering Dante's hideout. He will finally get his revenge and his mother can now rest in peace. He had made sure to discard the letter, ensuring Luciana wouldn't have the means to get to him after their call.Just as he placed the watch around his wrist, Viktor burst into the room. "I'm sorry, sir. Your father has arrived," he announced.Antonio raised his eyebrows, wondering why this was news he needed to hear. "And?""He brought a guest. One you're not going to be pleased with," Viktor replied.Antonio frowned. His father had a knack for frustrating him. "I hate guests," he muttered, his voice dr
CHAPTER 28TB, ColumbiaLuciana sighed deeply as she watched her father, Dante, pack his suitcase. "You're really going, aren't you?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.Dante nodded, his face still fixed on the packing. "I have to, Lucy. This job interview is a great opportunity for me, for us."Luciana felt a knot form in her stomach. She didn't want her father to leave, especially not for some job in Europe. "What if you don't come back?" she asked, her voice trembling.Dante paused with a checker shirt in his hand, turned to Luciana, and pulled her into a hug. "I'll always come back to you, Lucy. You're my everything."But Luciana's mother, Estana, was not as supportive. She stood in the doorway, her arms crossed over her chest. "So you want to leave your family behind and move to another continent permanently?" she spat. "Leave us for some job that's probably just a pipe dream."Dante shot her a sideways glance. He pulled away from the hug with Luciana and took a step for
CHAPTER 27“Dad?” Luciana's voice trembled as tears streamed down her face like a torrent.“Lucy?” her father's voice cracked with emotion as soon as he heard her voice. “Is that you, my baby girl?”Luciana could sense the overwhelming emotions flooding her father's voice, mirroring her own. “Y-yes, Dad,” she stammered, her voice barely audible as sobs choked her. “I’ve missed you so much.”“oh dear.” Her father, Dante, breathed out. “what happened? Did you change your number?”Antonio grasped her elbow and gave her a stern stare.“I lost my old phone.” She replied. “oh dear. Did you get my letter and the flowers?”“yes father, I did.” She replied as Antonio pressed a gun to her neck and mouthed to her to put the call on speaker mode.“Ms. Pat mentioned she hasn’t seen you in a month,” Dante said, his tone tinged with worry. Luciana’s mind went blank as she struggled to respond. She couldn’t reveal her true location to her father, especially not with Antonio’s threat. Her thoughts
CHAPTER 26Antonio burst into Luciana's room, Viktor following closely behind. Luciana raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of annoyance and amusement. "Weren't you taught how to knock by your father? I could have been naked." she asked, rolling her eyes.“Like I have said before, there is nothing on you, I haven’t seen.” Antonio replied, shutting the door.“you’re so gross.” Luciana said in irritation.Antonio's face twisted in a scowl. "Where is your father?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing.Luciana shrugged, folding her arms across her chest. "I've told you before, I don't know where he is."Antonio's eyes flashed with anger. "My men visited your house in Colombia. Apparently, your father left a note for you." He turned and faced Viktor. “read it out to her.”Viktor stepped forward, clearing his throat like a priest about to join a newly wedded couple together, before reading the note aloud. "My beloved daughter, I am very sorry for my absence. I needed to be away, as
CHAPTER 25Antonio sniffed the cocaine powder off his finger as he paced around his study, his mind still reeling from the humiliation he suffered during lunch. The fact that Domenico had embarrassed him in front of Luciana and his fiancée made it even harder to swallow. He slammed his fists on the table, making the objects on it rattle. "He dares mess with me?" Antonio bellowed, his voice echoing off the walls. "No one does this and goes scot-free! No one!"Viktor spoke in a soft voice, trying to calm him. "Boss, please..." he started to say before Antonio cut him off."Don't call me that henceforth," Antonio snapped, waving his hand at Viktor in disapproval. "He's right. It's becoming embarrassing to be called that when he's around."Viktor stood still, a wide smile on his face. "I've called you that since you were sixteen. I won't stop now, sir."Antonio stared at Viktor, then returned to the cocaine powder on the table. "What's the update on the men we sent to Colombia?" he aske