Selena settled into the plush armchair in Valerie’s living room, the soft hum of the heater filling the otherwise silent space. Valerie sat across from her on the cream-colored sofa, her fingers clutching a steaming cup of tea. The living room’s warmth felt at odds with the icy tale Valerie was about to share."Selena," Valerie began, her voice tinged with sadness, "you asked how we became what we are today. It’s not a simple story, and it’s not one I enjoy telling. But since you asked, I will tell you. I just hope you won’t judge us."Selena nodded, her gaze steady and encouraging.Valerie placed her cup down, leaning back as she let out a heavy sigh. "Adrian and I didn’t always know the truth about our family. Growing up, our parents were our heroes, busy, successful, and always protective. We thought they were ordinary people with extraordinary lives. We couldn’t have been more wrong."She paused, her eyes glassy as she stared at the flickering fireplace. The weight of the memory s
Selena sat in her car, staring at the gates of the Santoro mansion. The contract she had signed with Adrian weighed heavily on her mind. Two weeks. That was all the time left before their marriage. It wasn’t just a legal agreement, it was a ticking clock tied to her fate and his. She had agreed to this because she thought she could handle it, but after Valerie’s revelations, she wasn’t so sure anymore.Adrian wasn’t just a man caught up in the mafia world. He was a man drowning in guilt, anger, and heartbreak. He had sacrificed everything, becoming someone he despised, all for her. Selena tightened her grip on the steering wheel, her chest heavy with guilt and determination.“I can’t let him destroy himself,” she whispered. “Not for me.”Inside the mansion, Adrian sat in the study, staring at the contract on his desk. The ink had dried days ago, but it felt as if the words were still fresh, taunting him. A marriage of convenience, Selena had called it, but to Adrian, it was anything b
Selena was startled awake by the sound of footsteps and hushed whispers. Blinking groggily, she sat up in bed to find two maids bustling around her room, their hands full of fabric, jewelry boxes, and makeup kits. The morning sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the chaos. “Good morning, Miss Selena,” one of the maids said, her tone polite but hurried. “It’s time to get ready. The wedding is in a few hours.” The words hit Selena like a wave, her chest tightening. The wedding. The reality of the day settled over her like a heavy cloak. She sat silently for a moment before nodding. One of the maids walked over to the wardrobe and carefully pulled out the wedding dress. Selena’s breath caught as she saw it. The dress was stunning—an elegant white gown with intricate lace detailing and a long, flowing train. She remembered the day Adrian had picked it out. He’d insisted on this one, ignoring the protests of the designer who wanted something more extravagant. “Simple,
The laughter on the balcony turned into giggles, and the giggles into full-blown hysteria as Selena and Valerie stumbled back into the reception hall, clutching each other for support. The half-empty bottle of wine in Valerie's hand swayed dangerously, and Selena’s cheeks were flushed from both the alcohol and the cool night breeze. “We should... we should get more wine!” Selena declared, her words slurred but enthusiastic. Valerie nodded dramatically, holding the bottle aloft like a trophy. “Yes! More wine for the queens!” But before their grand quest could begin, a dark figure appeared in the doorway. Adrian, his suit immaculate despite the late hour, crossed his arms and raised a single brow as he watched the two women sway on their feet. “Selena,” he said, his voice calm but edged with authority, “I think you’ve had enough for tonight.” Selena blinked at him, her lips forming a pout. “Adrian! You’re ruining our fun. Valerie, tell him!” Valerie snickered but quickly hel
The morning light crept through the curtains, casting soft, golden hues across the bedroom. Selena stirred, groaning as the dull ache of a headache made itself known. She blinked her eyes open, squinting at the unfamiliar ceiling."Where..." she began, her voice raspy.“You’re awake,” Adrian’s voice cut through the quiet. He was seated in a chair by the window, a book in hand and a steaming cup of coffee on the side table next to him. He looked calm, almost unnervingly so, considering the chaos of the night before.Selena rubbed her temples, the memories slowly trickling back. The wine. The dancing. The balcony. Her cheeks flushed as she recalled the torn gown, the bathtub, and Adrian’s steady, unflinching care.“I...” she started, sitting up too quickly and immediately regretting it as a wave of nausea hit her. “Oh no.”Adrian was already by her side, a glass of water in hand. “Drink this. Slowly.”She obeyed, sipping the water as her eyes darted to his face. He looked impeccable as
Adrian stood in the doorway of their shared bedroom, the dim morning light filtering through the curtains. Selena was still asleep, her dark hair fanned out across the pillow, her soft breathing the only sound in the room. She looked so peaceful, so far removed from the chaos that defined his world. He ran a hand through his hair, his jaw tightening. He hated leaving her like this, but it was necessary. He had kept her in the dark about the darker parts of his life, and as much as he wanted to stay and hold her, his world didn’t allow for weaknesses—especially when someone had betrayed him. Walking over to her side of the bed, Adrian leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake. “Stay safe,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. He straightened, grabbed his coat, and left the room without a backward glance. His footsteps were heavy as he made his way down the stairs, where Viktor was waiting by the door. “She doesn’t know, doe
The library was quiet, just as Valerie liked it. Morning sunlight poured through the tall windows, casting warm golden rays over rows of bookshelves. After breakfast, She decided to spend some time here. Her mood wasn’t suited for company, and the library felt like a safe haven. She wandered the aisles, running her fingers along the spines of books, searching for something that would hold her attention. Finally, she spotted one on the top shelf. Its title was barely visible, and she had to squint to read it. “That’s the one,” she muttered to herself. The ladder was close by, a sturdy wooden thing I’d used a thousand times before. She moved it into position, climbed up carefully, and stretched toward the book. It was just a little out of reach. “Come on,” she grumbled, standing on tiptoes, her fingers brushing the edge of the spine. The door creaked open behind her. She froze mid-reach, her heart skipping a beat. Turning her head, she saw Matteo stroll in, his usual cocky
Selena stood in the kitchen, stirring a spoon through her coffee, though she wasn’t drinking it. Her movements were sharp, almost irritated, the clinking of the spoon against the ceramic mug betraying her frustration. She wasn’t expecting him back so soon. “Not even a hello?” Adrian’s voice broke the silence, smooth and cutting like a blade. Selena stiffened but didn’t turn around. “You’re back early. Should I roll out the red carpet?” Adrian smirked as he leaned against the doorframe, his dark eyes studying her with a mix of amusement and something else—something she couldn’t quite place. “Charming as always.” Selena finally turned, her expression set in a glare. “What do you want, Adrian?” He pushed off the doorframe, walking into the kitchen with deliberate, slow strides. “What, no kiss to welcome me home?” She scoffed, crossing her arms. “In your dreams.” Adrian stepped closer, the air between them growing taut. He had that maddening way of invading her space without
The hospital smelled of antiseptic and fear.Selena sat in the hallway, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, Adrian beside her, silent. The last hour had felt like a lifetime. Paramedics had managed to stabilize Nathan, but the bullet had done damage, too close to his lungs. Now, he was in surgery, fighting for his life.“He saved me,” Selena whispered, her voice barely audible. “He could have let me die... after everything...”Adrian turned his head slowly, eyes shadowed with guilt and pain. “He wasn’t always a traitor.”“He’s still your cousin.”Adrian’s jaw clenched. “And he was still working with the woman who tried to destroy us.”Selena didn’t argue. Because he wasn’t wrong but neither was she.“I want to see her,” she said suddenly, her tone sharp.“Who?” Adrian asked.“Isabella.”---The police had taken Isabella into custody, but Adrian still had strings to pull. Within the hour, Selena stood behind a pane of glass, watching the woman who had nearly taken everything from
Isabella's phone buzzed sharply that evening. She answered without checking. The voice on the other end made her sit up straighter.“It’s done,” Your father said. “He was one of them. Adrian’s sister, she was caught in our crossfire that year.”Isabella gasped, hand flying to her mouth. “Are you serious?”“She trusted one of us. And it got her killed.”Isabella’s shock quickly twisted into excitement. “Adrian doesn’t know, does he?”“He doesn’t. But you can change that. Leave a trail. Let him find it himself. If he connects the dots, he’ll never look at Selene the same again.”A slow, dangerous smile spread across Isabella’s face. “Consider it done.”She ended the call and practically flew out the door, her mind racing. She reached Nathan’s place breathless and laughing.“I’ve got it,” she said, barging in.Nathan raised an eyebrow. “What?”“The information that will destroy them more. Since they have reconcile too quickly, I have found something to break them back. Adrian’s sister’s
Adrian stood by the window of his study, hands clasped behind his back. He hadn’t slept.Not out of fear or restlessness, but because his mind was already three steps ahead—plotting, calculating, ensuring no detail escaped him. The blueprint sat in a locked briefcase on his desk, untouched since he'd retrieved it from the safe.Every line on that paper held power. Power people had killed for. Power that could dismantle empires or birth new ones.A soft knock disrupted his thoughts.He turned, voice low. “Come in.”Matteo entered, freshly changed, though his knuckles were still stained red. “The chamber is secured. Both men are restrained. Specter’s injuries are worse, but they’ll live.”Adrian nodded once. “No one gets near them unless I authorize it.”“Understood.”Matteo hesitated. “And the court tomorrow—are you sure it’s wise to go yourself?”“I won’t trust this to anyone else,” Adrian said, his voice like steel. “Too much has been sacrificed for it. I need to see it through.”Ma
Silence.Not the peaceful kind that comes after a storm, but the haunting type, the one that settles over a place that has seen too much blood, too much loss. The kind of silence that screams.Adrian stood in the middle of the aftermath.His estate, his home was now a battlefield littered with corpses. Blood pooled around bodies, soaking into the soil, painting a gruesome picture of what had transpired only moments ago. He didn’t flinch. His eyes were steady, scanning the carnage with a sharpness that betrayed no emotion. He had seen worse. But he had never tolerated betrayal.His boots crunched over gravel and glass as he moved, his gaze settling on one of the only bodies that still drew breath. The figure was barely conscious, chest rising and falling in shallow, labored intervals. A black veil obscured the face.Adrian narrowed his eyes.There was something about this one.He crouched slowly, his movements controlled, almost calculated. He reached forward, fingers tightening aroun
Matteo blinked hard, blood draining from his face the moment Rosco stepped out from behind Alvarez. His breath hitched, and for the first time in a long while, the hardened warrior faltered.“No…” he whispered.Rosco smirked, eyes gleaming with venomous satisfaction. “Hello, Matteo. Still wagging your tail behind him, I see.”Matteo took a step forward instinctively, but Adrian raised a hand, his arm sweeping across Matteo’s chest to stop him. The motion was subtle but firm.Matteo’s chest heaved with betrayal, his eyes fixed on Rosco. “You were with us… you trained with us.”Rosco chuckled, slow and condescending, before turning to Adrian, the amusement on his face deepening.“But him?” Rosco nodded toward Adrian. “He trusted me. Gave me everything. Took me into his inner circle. Showed me where the real power lies.”Adrian arched a brow, his expression unreadable.“Power?” he echoed, voice cool and distant. “What power?”Rosco sneered, reaching behind him.With a flourish, he reveal
Nathan stood by the window, his arms crossed as he watched another group of Adrian’s men load ammunition into vehicles. He didn’t like the feeling in his gut.“What the hell is he planning?” he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.Isabella sat on the edge of the couch, scrolling through her phone in frustration. “Victoria still isn’t answering. I’ve called her five times.”Nathan’s brows furrowed. “She’s not the type to ignore calls but since it is yours she can definitely ignore you. Isabella tossed the phone beside her and stood. “Something is going on, Nathan. This silence… this secrecy, it’s not just about protecting the pack. Adrian is hiding something.”Nathan’s gaze flickered to her, unreadable. “Then maybe it’s better we stay out of it.”Isabella looked at him, stunned. “You’re just going to sit back and do nothing?”He shrugged slightly. “It’s not my fight. Adrian made that clear a long time ago. And honestly? I’m not about to throw myself into a war that has nothin
A large map was spread out before them, covered in markings and notes detailing every inch of the Ghosted’s operations.“The celebration will end soon,” Alvarez muttered, his fingers tracing a key location. “Their leader thinks he’s untouchable, but his arrogance will be his downfall.”The masked leader tilted his head slightly. “You want him dead, or do you have something else in mind?”Alvarez smirked. “Dead, but not yet. I want him to watch as everything he built crumbles first.”The leader nodded in understanding. “Then we’ll strike fast and without mercy. We have our entry points secured. The Ghosted will never see it coming.”Meanwhile, deep within Adrian’s pack territory, the Ghosted were moving ahead with their own plans, Their informants had pinpointed a potential weakness in the pack’s security—an underground passage leading to a hidden vault where the blueprint was rumored to be stored.Three elite members of the Ghosted, clad in dark tactical gear, crouched near the pass
The Cartel had been shattered, And yet, amid the wreckage, Alvarez still drew breath.His body ached, every nerve screaming in agony as he forced himself to move. He pressed a hand to his bleeding side, the warm, sticky sensation of his own blood soaking through his fingers. The pain was nothing compared to the fury burning in his chest. He had been played. The Ghosted, his supposed allies, had turned against him at the last moment, throwing the battlefield into complete chaos. But why? Who had ordered this betrayal?His fingers curled into fists as he staggered forward, his boots crunching against shattered glass and spent shell casings. He needed to find answers. He needed to find the one who had orchestrated this disaster.A low groan echoed from the rubble. Alvarez turned sharply, gun raised, but his aim wavered when he saw who it was—one of the masked assassins, barely alive, clutching a deep wound in his stomach. Blood seeped through his gloves as he struggled to breathe, his ma
The air vibrated with gunfire, screams, and the rhythmic thunder of boots pounding against the cracked asphalt. The war had begun.Mikhail, the ruthless leader of the Monadikos, stood atop the ruins of an old industrial complex, his sharp gaze cutting through the chaos unfolding below. His fingers clenched into a fist as he watched his men swarm the abandoned shipyard where the Cartel had foolishly stationed their latest shipment of illicit arms. The plan was simple, wipe them out, seize the weapons, and cripple their operations."Push forward! No mercy!" he bellowed, his voice slicing through the night.His men responded with a battle cry, surging ahead like a tidal wave of vengeance. Gunfire erupted from every angle. Sparks flew as bullets ricocheted off rusted shipping containers, and the metallic scent of gunpowder thickened in the air. The Cartel, caught off guard by the ferocity of the attack, scrambled to mount a defense.****Alvarez, the cold and calculating leader of the Car