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Chapter Eighteen
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2024-11-06 00:08:39Related chapters
The Heist of Hearts Chapter Nineteen
The road to the safe house twisted through the hills, narrow and shadowed. Elena’s car coasted quietly up the final stretch, the solitude around her broken only by the hum of her engine. Each turn brought her closer to the answers she’d been chasing—buried pieces of her father’s past she could no longer ignore.The safe house was hidden beneath dense layers of ivy and towering cypress trees, an old stone structure with worn shutters and a half-collapsed awning. She shut off the car and stepped out, shrugging deeper into her hoodie, her gaze flicking to the surrounding trees, already instinctively mapping her exits.She had just started toward the door when she heard a second car approaching. She turned, tension coiling in her stomach, as she watched the black SUV come to a slow stop behind her own vehicle. The door opened, and Nico stepped out, his gray eyes fixed on her with an expression that bordered on exasperation.“What are you doing here?” she deman
The Heist of Hearts Chapter Twenty
The drive to the Salvatore Estate was torturous. Elena’s knuckles tightened around the steering wheel, her jaw clenched as she navigated the mountain pass. She was squashed in the center of the convoy, boxed in, as though the guards—so eager to carry out Nico’s every word—had positioned her as an afterthought. Her car dipped into a rut, jostling her shoulder, and she rubbed at the ache that was forming in her temple. Beside her, a guard sat rigid, his hands folded and gaze fixed ahead. He was older, maybe mid-fifties, with graying hair and a scar slicing down his left cheek. His presence was silent and detached, a man carrying out orders with the efficiency of a well-trained shadow. She caught his reflection in the rearview mirror, and something in his gaze suggested he’d been in too many fights, seen too much blood. Her annoyance simmered beneath her scrutiny of him, but he gave no reaction, his focus on the dark road ahead.As the wind streamed through the
The Heist of Hearts Chapter Twenty -One
The study’s heavy doors shut with a muted finality as Nico entered, the silence thickened by the room’s golden-tinged light. His mouth twisted into a smirk, the venom in his gaze sharpening as he took in Lorenzo’s calm demeanor and Elena’s steady presence nearby.“Should I leave you two to it?” His words were laced with contempt. “Wouldn’t want to interrupt your ‘heartfelt reunion.’”Lorenzo barely acknowledged Nico’s barb, his attention narrowing instead on the bruising across Nico’s jaw, the tense set of his shoulders, and the charred edges of his jacket, now a singed reminder of the recent blast. A flicker of concern passed over Lorenzo’s expression, one only a brother might catch.“Nico,” he said, his voice calm but direct, “are you intact?”Nico nodded sharply, the anger in his eyes smoldering, though he shifted uncomfortably under Lorenzo’s gaze. “I’m fine,” he replied, his tone tight, as if unwilling to accept any sympathy. Lorenzo took him in for another second before nodding
The Heist of Hearts Chapter One
Elena Romano understood firsthand that in the world of thieves, everything had a price—except resurrecting dead men. If that had been on the table, her father would still be alive, and Lorenzo Salvatore wouldn't be on her hit list.Her olive-toned skin blended with the darkness, making her almost invisible. For the right price, anything could be bought on the thriving black market of the underworld—maps, blueprints, access codes. Her underworld connections yielded the blueprints to the Salvatore estate. It was pretty easy to kill someone in their own home, no matter how secure they thought they were. The Mafia bosses weren't immune to secrets sold on the black market, though it was pricier to gain information on them; a slip-up could mean a dead body turning up the next day. She instinctively rubbed the faint scar below her collarbone, a thin line etched from a heist gone wrong—a constant reminder that she was no stranger to danger.A low chuckle escaped her lips. Lorenzo probably tho
The Heist of Hearts Chapter Two
Elena adjusted her mask, the satin cool against her skin as she scanned the glittering ballroom. Laughter and music mingled with the scent of champagne and perfume, creating an intoxicating atmosphere. If her mother could see her now—dressed to the nines among the city’s elite—she’d have a heart attack. But here she was, every inch the socialite, even while she plotted her next heist.From the balcony of the private viewing room, Elena took in the sea of masked faces that were in attendance. The Gilded Circle Club was ablaze with anonymity, each attendee hiding behind sequins and feathers.Tonight, the masquerade ball hosted by the state itself was a masterful illusion. The celebration of the Salvatore brothers' philanthropic work.On paper, Lorenzo and Nico Salvatore were pillars of society—legitimate businessmen and generous patrons of the arts. Yet, Elena knew the truth: their empire was built on shadows and deceit.To her, the Salvatores epitomized New Jersey's double standard, wh
The Heist of Hearts Chapter Three
Elena stepped out of her doorway, the porch light casting a warm glow. She walked down the path, past the carefully arranged flowerbeds. The sidewalk led her through streets lined with tidy lawns and ornate mailboxes. As she reached the corner, a taxi slowed to a stop beside her. She got in, giving the driver a brief nod.As the taxi navigated through quiet streets, Elena observed the scenery outside the window. The elegant homes and manicured lawns soon gave way to strip malls and neon signs. She let out a sigh and directed her thoughts to the rendezvous, a calculated risk in her carefully managed world.At Broad and Market, she exited the taxi and scanned the crowded sidewalk. Elena ducked into an alleyway, every sense on high alert. Long, ominous shadows stretched across the deserted street, cast by the flickering streetlights. The air reeked of street food, exhaust fumes, and decay, wafting from crumbling brick and rusty dumpsters.She paused, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. T
The Heist of Hearts Chapter Four
Unaccounted variables were always a pain in the ass, even though it’d never hindered her mission.Elena swallowed hard, her body stiffening as she maintained her fighting stance, every nerve on high alert. She hated staring contests—especially when she was caught off guard—but what stood before her made her cautious, not defensive.She took in the small details—the disheveled hair, the pale pink pattern of her pajamas dotted with tiny stars, the soft scuffing sound of bare feet on the polished floor. There was something unsettling about the child’s calmness, as she stared back, her deep brown eyes unblinking, and her small figure framed in the dim light from the corridor.Dark, curly hair spilled over her shoulders, tangled and mussed from sleep. Her pink pajamas hung loosely on her frame, one sleeve twisted, and a teddy bear with one missing eye dangled from her small hand, its worn fur telling of years of love and neglect.Elena’s face burned as the assertive look drifted upward, he
The Heist of Hearts Chapter Five
The invitation had been unexpected. One moment, she was mingling at Lorenzo’s exclusive, her laughter blending seamlessly. The next, Nico had appeared at her side, his presence disrupting the carefully cultivated ambiance. “Lorenzo wants you to see something,” he’d said, “follow me.” “Come on, finish him!” Elena hovered near the edge of the pit, her posture relaxed but senses on high alert. She felt Nico’s eyes on her, hot like a blade scraping across her skin.Blood. Sweat. The roar of a frenzied crowd. The underground fight club pulsed with a feral energy that seeped into the walls, filling the air with the stench of violence and desperation. Men cheered and jeered, their voices blending into a cacophony of madness, as two fighters savaged each other in the center ring. “Enjoying the show?” Nico’s voice was low and dangerous. Elena didn’t flinch. “Not really my kind of entertainment.” One man went down hard, his face a crimson mask of blood. “I prefer something… less barbari
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The Heist of Hearts Chapter Twenty -One
The study’s heavy doors shut with a muted finality as Nico entered, the silence thickened by the room’s golden-tinged light. His mouth twisted into a smirk, the venom in his gaze sharpening as he took in Lorenzo’s calm demeanor and Elena’s steady presence nearby.“Should I leave you two to it?” His words were laced with contempt. “Wouldn’t want to interrupt your ‘heartfelt reunion.’”Lorenzo barely acknowledged Nico’s barb, his attention narrowing instead on the bruising across Nico’s jaw, the tense set of his shoulders, and the charred edges of his jacket, now a singed reminder of the recent blast. A flicker of concern passed over Lorenzo’s expression, one only a brother might catch.“Nico,” he said, his voice calm but direct, “are you intact?”Nico nodded sharply, the anger in his eyes smoldering, though he shifted uncomfortably under Lorenzo’s gaze. “I’m fine,” he replied, his tone tight, as if unwilling to accept any sympathy. Lorenzo took him in for another second before nodding
The Heist of Hearts Chapter Twenty
The drive to the Salvatore Estate was torturous. Elena’s knuckles tightened around the steering wheel, her jaw clenched as she navigated the mountain pass. She was squashed in the center of the convoy, boxed in, as though the guards—so eager to carry out Nico’s every word—had positioned her as an afterthought. Her car dipped into a rut, jostling her shoulder, and she rubbed at the ache that was forming in her temple. Beside her, a guard sat rigid, his hands folded and gaze fixed ahead. He was older, maybe mid-fifties, with graying hair and a scar slicing down his left cheek. His presence was silent and detached, a man carrying out orders with the efficiency of a well-trained shadow. She caught his reflection in the rearview mirror, and something in his gaze suggested he’d been in too many fights, seen too much blood. Her annoyance simmered beneath her scrutiny of him, but he gave no reaction, his focus on the dark road ahead.As the wind streamed through the
The Heist of Hearts Chapter Nineteen
The road to the safe house twisted through the hills, narrow and shadowed. Elena’s car coasted quietly up the final stretch, the solitude around her broken only by the hum of her engine. Each turn brought her closer to the answers she’d been chasing—buried pieces of her father’s past she could no longer ignore.The safe house was hidden beneath dense layers of ivy and towering cypress trees, an old stone structure with worn shutters and a half-collapsed awning. She shut off the car and stepped out, shrugging deeper into her hoodie, her gaze flicking to the surrounding trees, already instinctively mapping her exits.She had just started toward the door when she heard a second car approaching. She turned, tension coiling in her stomach, as she watched the black SUV come to a slow stop behind her own vehicle. The door opened, and Nico stepped out, his gray eyes fixed on her with an expression that bordered on exasperation.“What are you doing here?” she deman
The Heist of Hearts Chapter Eighteen
The morning sun cast a pale light over the sprawling terrace of Aurelia Hotel, a luxury hidden in the city’s quieter quarters. Elena leaned against a stone railing overlooking the cobblestone street below, her gaze distant. This place held a mix of opulence and old-world charm, a far cry from the shadowed corners she frequented. But today, she was here on a purpose.The terrace was a blend of quiet elegance, low chairs and tables set beneath white awnings flapping gently in the breeze. Waiters moved soundlessly, dressed in crisp black uniforms. Elena had chosen her spot purposefully—a table near the edge, partially shrouded in ivy, where she could observe without being noticed.The fitted black dress hugged her frame, accentuating her curves and complementing her olive skin. Her fingers brushed the edge of a coffee cup, the rich scent mingling with the faint trace of floral perfume lingering in the air. She hadn’t been here long, but the weight of anticipation made each passing second
The Heist of Hearts Chapter Seventeen
Elena had barely closed the door of her house when she sensed she wasn’t alone. The room was dim, but a faint glow spilled through the curtains, illuminating the figure leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed. Ethan’s presence filled the space, and her pulse quickened involuntarily.“Ethan,” she said, her voice steady, though her insides tightened. "How are you here so soon?"Her thoughts went to the bursted tire she'd experienced on the highway, she faintly wondered if he had anything to do with it and what he hoped to achieve by slashing her tire.He stepped forward, his expression shadowed but intense, a controlled calm in his posture. He was dressed in the same slate-gray shirt from earlier.The rolled up sleeves, accentuated his lean, muscular build, especially paired with the dark jeans that gave him an edge of ruggedness.“You sure seem to be making yourself comfortable with Lorenzo.” The words held a trace of disdain, and he crossed his arms tighter as he studied h
The Heist of Hearts Chapter Sixteen
Elena took a steadying breath as she stepped into the lounge, her eyes adjusting to the warm, amber glow that softened each line and deepened every shadow. Chandeliers cast a dim, conspiratorial light over velvet seats and polished tables, the faint but familiar scent of bourbon and leather grounded her as she prepared for this meeting—a meeting she wasn’t sure she could trust.Her gaze settled on Lorenzo in a secluded corner, one arm draped casually over his seat, his posture composed, almost commanding, even as his eyes tracked her movement, eliciting an awareness that felt too keen, too intimate. His suit, a deep, muted blue, set off the striking intensity of his gaze, and as she approached, she couldn’t ignore the way his lips curved ever so slightly, as though he could read her every thought before she’d spoken a word.“Elena,” he greeted, his voice a low murmur that seemed to vibrate through the air between them. He gestured to the seat across from him, his eyes r
The Heist of Hearts Chapter Fifteen
The day slipped by in a blur of half-formed plans and hollow silence, the weight of Elena’s discovery pressing on her like an iron vice. Every detail on the flash drive had unraveled a thread she hadn’t even known existed—Vincent’s connection to her father, the history he had hidden. She’d combed through the drive twice, her mind working in relentless loops, but answers remained elusive. And the questions only multiplied.By late evening, her frustration had crystallized into a fierce, icy resolve. She was going to confront Vincent. Whether he liked it or not, he owed her the truth, and she was done waiting.Elena pulled on a dark leather jacket, slipping a small knife into her pocket with a practiced motion. She glanced in the mirror, her blue eyes steely, shadowed by the weight of the secrets she’d just unveiled. She was prepared to do whatever it took to get answers.***The bar was buried on a quiet street in New Jersey’s oldest district, a pl
The Heist of Hearts Chapter Fourteen
The city was still cloaked in the haze of early morning as Elena sat alone in her loft, her gaze fixed on the laptop screen. The faint glow of the screen was the only light in the room, casting shadows that stretched across the walls, curling around her like ghosts. She’d barely slept; every bruise and strain from last night’s fight seemed to flare in the stillness, a dull, persistent ache that pulsed with each heartbeat. She shifted uncomfortably, the bruises on her ribs making even small movements a test of endurance.She leaned forward, fingers steady as she inserted the flash drive into the laptop. The drive’s label—*Romano*—flashed across the screen, a cold reminder of the name she’d spent years chasing, a name that had become the bedrock of her vengeance. A name that was, even now, still a mystery.With a quick series of keystrokes, she bypassed the security encryption, the thrill of the hack familiar, almost comforting. This drive had been relatively easy to
The Heist of Hearts Chapter Thirteen
Elena adjusted her hoodie, every muscle tensed, ready for any surprises. The near-abandoned plaza on the city’s edge, notorious for shady dealings, made her skin crawl.“Get in, get out.” She muttered, willing herself to keep going. This was no place to linger. The intel had brought her here to Rome, with clear directives to meet a contact who held critical insight into her father and the mystery surrounding his death. As she approached, a flicker of anger prickled beneath her focus. The place chosen—a dilapidated courtyard with broken benches and crumbling statues—had no safeguards, no cover. She couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at her instincts; there was an odd vacancy to the air, an unnatural quietness that sent her senses on high alert. A figure stood by a rusted bench, his posture guarded, a brown trench coat pulled tightly around him, obscuring much of his face. She slipped her phone into her pocket, clenching her hands to steady herself before stepping closer. She took a ca
