Amari's POVMartinis. Italian beef. Then Manhattans.I'm trying to remember something that has to do with why I'm here, but it all seems fuzzy. Like the jazz tune playing on the stereo. This is supposed to be a stop for jazz fans, like people really into that genre of blessed sounds, but here we are.A trio. Poking our noses. All I know is, that Marco and Isabella suggested someplace called The Green Mill on the North side of Chicago for some drinks. Why? No goddamn idea. I look around the place and all I see are patrons dressed in jeans t-shirts and hats; a couple are dressed in shorts and sandals, their upper half bare."Some fashion here," I say. Marco flashes a smile at me. He's been giving Isabella a lot of those since we sat down at this table. "Don't be sarcastic. The fashion is much more relaxed and less formal than it was in the past. It's all about being comfortable. Goditi la musica.""You don't say. What did they wear in the past?"Marco leans towards me like what he's
Amari's POVHis voice is soft and inviting. I hesitate, unsure if I should say yes or no. The rational part of her brain is telling me to say no, but the part of me that is drawn to this man screams yes. I find myself saying, "Sure, I'd like that."Antonio smiles and takes my hand, leading me out of the bar. We get into his Cadillac. Drive to Drake Hotel on the Magnificent Mile. Walk into the elevator and ride up to his floor. My heart is pounding in my chest. What was she doing? Was this a good idea? I didn't even let Marco and Isabella know I was leaving. Fuck. The elevator doors open and we step out into the hallway. It is long and narrow, with a red carpet on the floor. The walls are a warm beige color, and there are small lamps on the walls. The hallway is dimly lit, but some floor-to-ceiling windows let in natural light. Antonio leads me to his door and opens it with a swipe of his key card. I follow him inside and find myself in a well-appointed suite. It is decorated in a so
Antonio's POVThe meeting is in an old restaurant in Little Italy, right on Morgan Street. Even from behind the windshield, I see that the place is quiet. No patrons. No music. I step out of my car, perceiving the aromas of garlic, tomato sauce, and freshly baked bread coming from the many Italian restaurants and bakeries that line the street.I walk to the door. Catch a whiff of fresh flowers coming from vases lining both sides of the building. I put my hand on the knob, push it open. And the first person I see as my eyes adjust is Amari.**********Some weeks earlier.It is a cold, rainy night in Chicago. Under the dripping rain, the streets look like a fictional paradigm. Too many colors. Vibrant nightlife. Diverse population. As unreal as it can all get.I sit in my Cadillac parked on Lakeview. Sleek and black. A thirty-fifth birthday present for myself. The leather seats creak as I shift my weight. I can feel the pulse of the city around me. The noise of the traffic and the lig
Antonio's POVI squint at him. "Goading a man who has come all this way, hoping he'll take the bait isn't shrewd thinking. I'm not an idiot, Luigi. You are."I raise my gun, my finger on the trigger.And pull.I walk to the door. Look at it. Should be made of reinforced steel or concrete, with a keypad for entry. The door is recessed into the wall, making it nearly impossible to break down with special seals around the edges to make them airtight, in case of a gas or chemical attack. This very one is designed to be impenetrable and has bulletproof glass windows for added security. So I don't waste my bullets. I tap the codes on the keypad, wait for the green light, and the hiss, then walk into the soundproofed room.***********"How did you get in here?" my uncle sputters.I look at him coldly. He's sitting behind a workspace, clad in plain trousers and long sleeves. Both sleeves are folded to his elbows. "Your security system is obsolete," I let him know. "I've been planning this fo
Antonio's POV"Or you wish to look for trouble," Giuliana says, seductively rubbing her lower lip. "That is a grave accusation, my dear Antonio.""And I wouldn't bring something like this up if it isn't genuine. Are you saying that none of you is aware of the fact that my uncle, Vito, conspired with the Carter family to overthrow my father and take control of our organization?" A murmur of disbelief ripples through the room."What you may not know," I go on, "is that my uncle was acting on false information, provided by the Carter family. They deliberately misled him, for their gain."A ripple of anger sweeps through the room, and the representative of the Carter family shifts uneasily in her seat."I have proof of their treachery," I say, and produce a CD of the recording from my briefcase. "The evidence is clear, and I believe we must act decisively to bring justice to the Carter family."I watch, as a debate erupts among the assembled families. Some argue that the Carter family mu
My brother suddenly demands as I step into the room."I have my ways," I reply, keeping my voice calm despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins.He eyes me warily, clearly unsettled by my unexpected appearance. "What do you want, Antonio?""What do I want?" I repeat, incredulous. "I want what's rightfully mine, Uncle. I want my share of the family business."He scoffs. "Your share? You left the family years ago. You have no claim to anything here.""I left because I couldn't stand the corruption, the violence," I retort, my voice rising. "But I've come back to set things right. To take back what's ours from those who have stolen from us.""Set things right?" he sneers. "You think you're some kind of hero, don't you? You're just a traitor, Antonio. A coward who ran away from his responsibilities."I grit my teeth, trying to keep my anger in check. "I'm not a coward, Uncle. I'm trying to make things better for all of us."He laughs a cold, humorless sound. "Better for us? Do you
As I make my way through the deserted streets, a voice calls out from the shadows, stopping me in my tracks."Antonio?"I turn to see Amari standing there, her expression a mix of concern and confusion."Amari," I say, surprised to see her. "What are you doing here?""I came to find you," she says, stepping closer. "I heard about what happened. Are you okay?"I nod, grateful for her concern. "I'm fine. But I need to get out of here, and disappear for a while.""Disappear?" she echoes, her brow furrowing in concern. "What do you mean?""I mean I need to lay low for a bit, until things cool down," I explain. "It's not safe for me here anymore."Amari looks at me, her eyes searching mine for answers. "But where will you go? What will you do?""I don't know yet," I admit. "But I'll figure something out. I always do."She reaches out and takes my hand, her touch grounding me amid chaos. "Whatever you decide, just promise me you'll be careful."I squeeze her hand, grateful for her support.
Antonio's heart pounded in his chest as he made his way through the deserted streets of Chicago. Rain poured down in sheets, drenching him to the bone, but he hardly noticed, his mind consumed with thoughts of betrayal and revenge.He had trusted his uncle, Luigi Demarco, with his life. He had believed that blood was thicker than water, and that family loyalty was sacrosanct. But now, as he fled for his life, he realized the truth: his uncle had betrayed him, and sold him out to their enemies for a chance at power and wealth.As the rain battered against his face, Antonio's thoughts turned to the events that had led to this moment. It had all started weeks ago, with a fateful meeting in an old restaurant in Little Italy...---The restaurant was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of garlic and tomato sauce. Antonio stepped through the door, his senses on high alert as he scanned the room for any sign of danger. He had been warned that this meeting would be dangerous, that his ene
---As Amari delved deeper into the murky world of criminal law, she soon found herself embroiled in a web of deceit and betrayal that threatened to consume her. With each case she took on, she uncovered new layers of corruption and treachery, forcing her to confront uncomfortable truths about the society she lived in.One particularly challenging case involved a high-profile politician accused of embezzling funds from a charity organization. As Amari dug deeper into the allegations, she discovered a labyrinthine network of corruption that reached far beyond the halls of government. Powerful figures with vested interests in maintaining the status quo sought to silence her at every turn, using their influence to undermine her efforts and discredit her in the eyes of the public.But Amari refused to back down. Armed with nothing but her unwavering determination and indomitable spirit, she pressed forward, determined to uncover the truth and hold those responsible to account. With each t
---As Antonio and Amari delved deeper into their investigation, they uncovered shocking revelations about Vito Valencio's criminal empire. It seemed that his reach extended far beyond what they had initially imagined, with connections to corrupt officials, underground syndicates, and even rival crime families."It's worse than we thought," Amari remarked, her voice heavy with concern. "Vito Valencio has his hands in everything. We're going to need solid evidence to bring him down."Antonio nodded grimly, his mind racing with possibilities. "We'll have to play this smart," he replied. "We can't afford to make any mistakes."Together, they pored over the mountain of information they had gathered, piecing the puzzle of Vito Valencio's criminal empire. With each new piece of evidence, their resolve only grew stronger, fueled by a shared determination to expose the truth.But as they dug deeper, they soon realized that they were not the only ones interested in bringing down Vito Valencio.
As Antonio was being dragged away by Vito's men, his mind raced with a torrent of thoughts and emotions. Fear, anger, determination – they all warred for dominance within him, each vying for his attention as he struggled to make sense of the situation unfolding around him.But even as his heart hammered in his chest and his pulse raced in his ears, Antonio refused to give in to despair. He knew that he had to stay strong, to keep fighting, no matter what obstacles lay in his path. For he was determined to see justice served, no matter the cost.As he was led down a dimly lit corridor, Antonio's thoughts turned to Amari – his childhood friend, his confidante, the one person he could always count on in times of trouble. He knew that she would be worried sick about him, wondering where he was and what had happened to him. And though he longed to reassure her, to let her know that he was all right, he knew that he couldn't risk putting her in danger by revealing his whereabouts.But even
As Antonio walked through the streets of Chicago, his mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Anger, grief, determination – they all fought for dominance within him, each vying for his attention as he sought to make sense of the chaos that had consumed his life.He had spent weeks planning his next move, meticulously laying the groundwork for the confrontation that now loomed on the horizon. Every detail had been scrutinized, every contingency accounted for. But despite his careful preparations, he couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty that gnawed at him from within.The city seemed to pulse with an energy all its own as Antonio made his way through its bustling streets. People hurried past him, their faces drawn and weary, their lives consumed by the daily grind of survival in a world that showed no mercy to the weak or the vulnerable.But Antonio paid them little heed as he marched on, his thoughts consumed by the singular goal that drove him forward. Vito Valencio – his u
As Antonio stood before his uncle Vito Valencio, the weight of betrayal hung heavy in the air. He had always looked up to Vito, admired him even. But now, as he stared into those cold, calculating eyes, he realized that everything he thought he knew about his uncle was a lie."I trusted you," Antonio said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I believed in you."Vito's lips curled into a sinister smile, sending a shiver down Antonio's spine. "And look where that got you," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "Naive, just like your father."The mention of his father ignited a fire within Antonio, fueling his anger and determination. He would not let Vito's betrayal go unpunished – not after everything he had done."You killed him, didn't you?" Antonio accused, his voice trembling with emotion. "You murdered him in cold blood."Vito's smile widened, revealing rows of perfect white teeth. "And what if I did?" he taunted. "He was weak, a liability. I did what needed to be done to protec
As they continued their journey through the labyrinthine streets of Chicago, Amari and Antonio found themselves engaged in a heated discussion about their next move."We need to tread carefully," Amari cautioned, her eyes scanning the dimly lit alleyways for any sign of danger. "Vito's men are everywhere, and they won't hesitate to eliminate anyone who stands in their way."Antonio nodded grimly, his jaw set with determination. "I know. But we can't afford to back down now. We've come too far to turn back."Their conversation was interrupted by the sudden sound of footsteps echoing down the alley. Both of them tensed, hands instinctively reaching for their weapons as they prepared for a potential confrontation.But to their surprise, the figure that emerged from the shadows was not a threat, but a weary-looking man with a haunted expression."Are you Amari and Antonio?" the man asked, his voice trembling with urgency.Amari exchanged a wary glance with Antonio before nodding cautiousl
As Amari and Antonio ventured further into the labyrinth of the city, their footsteps echoed off the walls of towering buildings, each step a reminder of the path they had chosen. The streets were alive with the hum of activity, the city's heartbeat pulsing beneath their feet.As they walked, Amari couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency gnawing at the edges of her mind. The weight of their mission pressed down upon her shoulders, each passing moment a reminder of the danger that lurked around every corner."We need to find out more about Vito's plans," Antonio said, his voice low and determined. "We can't afford to be caught off guard."Amari nodded in agreement, her mind already racing with possibilities. "We'll need to gather as much information as we can," she said. "And we'll need to do it quickly."Antonio's jaw clenched with determination as they navigated the crowded streets, their path illuminated by the flickering glow of neon signs and streetlights. "I have contacts in th
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the bustling city streets, Amari found herself standing on the precipice of a decision that would change the course of her life forever. With a heavy heart and a sense of trepidation gnawing at her insides, she knew that there was no turning back now.Chicago, with its towering skyscrapers and bustling metropolis, loomed large on the horizon, a beacon of hope amidst the chaos and uncertainty that threatened to consume her. With each passing mile, she felt the weight of her mission pressing down upon her, the gravity of her task looming large in her mind.As the city skyline came into view, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun, Amari felt a surge of determination coursing through her veins. She had come too far to turn back now, too many lives depending on her to falter in the face of adversity.With a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and plunged headlong into the heart of the city, her mind racing with a thou
As Antonio delved deeper into the intricacies of his family's affairs, he uncovered a web of deception and betrayal that sent shockwaves through the Valencia dynasty. Hidden agendas and clandestine alliances came to light, revealing a dark underbelly to the world he thought he knew.One of the most startling revelations came in the form of a long-lost relative, a distant cousin named Alessandro Valencio, whose existence had been kept secret from Antonio and his father for decades. Alessandro emerged from the shadows with a claim to the Valencia estate, citing ancient family documents and blood ties that seemed to corroborate his story.At first, Antonio was skeptical of Alessandro's claims, dismissing him as a mere opportunist seeking to capitalize on the Valencia name for his gain. But as he delved deeper into the family's history, he uncovered evidence that seemed to support Alessandro's assertions, casting doubt on his legitimacy as the rightful heir.Faced with the prospect of los