Vincenzo stormed out of the hotel, frustration and rage coursing through his veins. He had come so close to confronting his half-brother, only to watch him slip away into the night. He needed a drink, something to numb the gnawing sense of failure. He found a bar nearby, a dimly lit place with a quiet, brooding atmosphere that matched his mood perfectly. As he sat at the bar, nursing a glass of whiskey, his thoughts were a chaotic whirl of anger and determination. He had to protect his family, no matter the cost. Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t notice Ella until she slid onto the stool next to him. “Fancy seeing you here,” she purred, a sly smile playing on her lips. Vincenzo barely glanced at her, his expression cold and unyielding. “What do you want, Ella?” She laughed softly, a mocking sound that grated on his nerves. “Is that any way to greet an old friend?” “You’re not my friend,” he retorted, taking a long sip of his drink. “And I’m not in the mood for your games.” El
Morning light filtered through the curtains as Vincenzo stared at the ceiling, the events of the previous night replaying in his mind. He hadn’t slept well, his thoughts consumed by the threat his half-brother posed. As the first rays of dawn broke, he reluctantly left the warmth of his bed, quietly slipping out to head to his headquarters. Upon arriving, he found Baltazar already deep in training. The rhythmic sound of fists striking bags and feet shuffling on mats filled the room. Vincenzo changed into his training gear and joined his right-hand man, the two of them squaring off for a sparring session. “Rough night?” Baltazar asked, his voice steady as they exchanged blows. Vincenzo grunted in response, the weight of exhaustion evident in his movements. “You could say that.” Baltazar pressed on, concern etched in his features. “What’s going on, Vincenzo? You seem... off.” Vincenzo’s eyes narrowed, a mix of anger and fatigue in his voice. “Everything’s a mess. My half-brother, th
Vincenzo tossed and turned in his sleep, his subconscious mind weaving a dream that felt all too real. In the dream, he stood in a dimly lit room, a single flickering light casting eerie shadows on the walls. The air was thick with tension, and a sense of impending doom hung heavy. Before him stood Baltazar, but something was different. Baltazar wore a mask that covered half of his face, leaving only his piercing blue eyes visible. Vincenzo’s heart pounded in his chest as he realized those eyes matched the ones he had seen in the hotel footage. “Baltazar?” Vincenzo's voice echoed in the silence, filled with confusion and betrayal. Baltazar, or rather the masked man, chuckled darkly. “Surprised, brother?” Vincenzo took a step back, his mind racing. “Brother? What are you talking about?” The masked man raised a gun, pointing it directly at Vincenzo’s chest. “You’ve always been the favorite, the chosen one. While I was left in the shadows, abandoned.” Vincenzo’s breath quickened. “Y
The kitchen was filled with a quiet, intimate warmth. Annizah adjusted Vincenzo's tie, her fingers lingering a moment longer than necessary. She looked up into his eyes, seeing the deep worry etched into his face. He asked her softly, “Do you ever regret marrying me?” Her heart ached at the vulnerability in his voice. She cupped his face in her hands, her voice firm and full of love. “I’d regret it if I hadn’t even met someone like you,” she said, her eyes searching his. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Vincenzo.” They kissed, a tender moment that spoke of their shared strength and resolve. But as their lips parted, a loud bang echoed through the house, shattering the peaceful silence. Annizah's heart leaped into her throat. Vincenzo instinctively moved in front of her, shielding her and their daughter. The door burst open, and there stood Baltazar, flanked by armed men. The shock was evident in Vincenzo’s eyes as he locked gazes with his right-hand man. “So, it wa
The cold, damp air was biting against Vincenzo’s face as he slowly regained consciousness. His head pounded mercilessly, and his vision was a disorienting blur. Blinking several times, he tried to adjust to the dim light filtering through a high, narrow window. The room was barren, save for the old wooden chair to which he was bound. His wrists and ankles were tightly secured with coarse rope, the fibers digging into his skin with every movement. The remnants of last night’s fierce struggle left his body aching, but the burning anger and frustration were what drove him now. A creaking sound drew his attention. The door to the room swung open, and the echo of footsteps grew louder. The silhouette of a man appeared in the sliver of light, and Vincenzo’s heart skipped a beat when he recognized the figure. Baltazar, his eyes cold and calculating, stood before him. The sight of his half-brother stirred a mixture of rage and resolve within Vincenzo. Baltazar smirked, crossing his arms and
Vincenzo's mind drifted in and out of consciousness. Pain radiated from every part of his body, the bruises and cuts from his previous beatings now multiplied. His head throbbed with a dull, relentless ache, and his muscles screamed in protest with every slight movement. The last thing he remembered before blacking out was the mocking laughter of Baltazar and the sharp sting of fists and boots against his flesh.He stirred as the lights in the room suddenly blazed to life, the harsh brightness piercing through his closed eyelids. Before he could fully open his eyes, a cold torrent of water hit him square in the face. The shock of it snapped him into full awareness. He gasped, sputtering as he tried to shake off the water. His vision cleared to reveal Baltazar standing before him, a cruel smirk playing on his lips."Good morning, brother," Baltazar sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Sleep well?"Vincenzo glared at him, his jaw clenched tight. He refused to give Baltazar the sati
Annizah stirred, her head throbbing as she gradually woke up in a dim, closed room with no windows. Her vision was blurry, and her body ached from the rough handling she had endured. She tried to move, but her muscles protested, sore and bruised. As her eyes adjusted to the gloom, she saw a tray of food placed on the floor beside her. The sight of it made her stomach churn; she had no appetite in her current state. Disoriented, Annizah tried to piece together her fragmented memories. The last clear image in her mind was of her sneaking out of the safe house, armed with determination and a gun, to find Vincenzo. She had been so sure she could save him, could protect her family. But something had gone wrong. She remembered encountering some men, engaging in brutal hand-to-hand combat using the skills Vincenzo had taught her. She had fought valiantly, but there were too many of them. She had taken down several before she was overwhelmed and captured. Her heart ached with the memory of
As Baltazar passed, she saw another figure join him—Ella. They stopped not far from where she hid, their voices carrying over the night air. Annizah strained to hear their conversation, every word a potential clue to her next move. “You idiot,” Ella hissed. “I told you we should kill Annizah and keep Vincenzo alive. He’s the key to everything!” Baltazar's face twisted with anger. "And I told you, we need Annizah alive. She's the leverage we have over Vincenzo. Killing her now is useless." Ella stepped closer, her eyes blazing with fury. "Leverage or not, she's a threat. I won’t let her ruin everything we've worked for. We should kill her and be done with it." Baltazar grabbed Ella’s face, his grip tight and unyielding. "Listen to me, Ella. I never accepted your help. You volunteered. So don't think for a second you can dictate how things are done. If you go against me, you’ll regret it." Ella's eyes widened with a mix of fear and defiance. She pulled away from his grasp, rubbing h