ELENA "Please have a seat" Came from behind me and I slowly turned around to stare pointedly at the indifferent looking Mr. deluca who promptly gestured to the chair there for me to take the seat and I did it without any other word.Getting comfortable before I looked up to his expectant look before I opened up my lips to speak but then the sound of the door opening made us both turn towards the intruder to find an annoyed looking secretary staring at our form.What was up with them and interruption. "What is it Nichole?" He asked, his voice devoid of any emotion at all and I saw her gulp before she composed herself and stepped into the office fully all this while without staring at me and I commended her for her composure in the face of all that Mr. Deluca is. "You ordered to inform you if any call came in from the dubai business manager" I glanced back to Mr. Deluca and saw him give her a slow deliberate smile that she seemed to understand because the next second, she was out th
DELUCA"You took your sweet time getting that out of you" Lucas settled into the chair like he owned it and I sent him a glare, he had cozied up to Elena when she was here and she had seemed easy going with him, but always on guard around me."Are you pouting?" His voice was filled with mirth and disbelief and I threw a file at him without thinking."Why is she always so cool around you, she even gave you a kiss at the show" I asked and yes, the great mafia Don was pouting, all due to an infuriatingly stubborn, beautiful, strong wom-."I like her, she likes me, the feeling is mutual. Am not like someone holding onto something that could save or mar his future love life and still choose to destroy it instead of the opposite" He gave me a smirk and I bit down slowly on my lips as I thought more on his words.He was right."Of course I'm right" He boasted and my hand went to my left pocket and he quickly raised his arms up in surrender."Good for y- Kane"I quickly picked up the phone fr
ELENA"You look nervous" Sarah noticed as soon as she sat beside me in the kitchen where I was nursing a drink and biting at my nails while wishing for time to run more faster than it already was."I do?" I ask offhandedly and she sighed."You never tell me things again these days, I had no idea you were even home this evening" She complained and I finally gave her a glance only to find she was pouting and blinking her eyes at me cutely."You should know that would never work, I'm immune to your charms" I tell her with a sweet smile and she hissed, crossing her arms before she belted out."Oh.... But not immune to a certain someone's charm" My heart panged and I could feel my mood drop as a face flashed in my mind and my eyes shut tightly as I stood up and gave her guilty self a look before turning and leaving the kitchen, drink forgotten.Thinking about Deluca Adrian’s charm felt like a sort of shame to my late husband, Lorenzo's memory.I began to dress up while using the time to c
ELENATHEN.Lorenzo Russo stood by the door watching my form walk down the hallway and I withheld the urge to blush like a schoolgirl at his attention and fascinated look he held in his gaze.I still had not accepted his offer but I was still deep in thought about it, when I had asked my father if he knew what I could do, he had merely smiled and told me to follow my heart and not his.I let myself free as I came back on stage again for the second time, gliding through the show with effortless grace, I owned any walkway I stepped on and I was not just saying this to boast about it or look prideful but it was the simple truth.The men's stare turned lustful as ladies began to chat with other ladies, complimenting the new designer that I was currently leaving the stage on.After exiting the runway, I was met with Olivia who gave me a sweet and excited smile and I returned it easily as they began to work on removing the dress and retouching my makeovers and from here, I could hear the a
ELENA"It was human trafficking and not just a simple one, he was trafficking both boys and girls of ages sixteen down to twenty but not this time though, this time was much worse, he was selling off children. Thirteen to sixteen years of age and he was auctioning them off to highest bidders who bought, used and discarded them away before coming for the next one" He took in a huge breath and that was when I felt my whole heart stutter to a stop and blood rushed into my ears, sending headaches up to my temples.This was on repeat in my head even when I left the casino last night, amidst the blurred words of Deluca Adrian.I had exclaimed he was a liar but he had played a tape of his conversation with Lorenzo and it still was hard to believe even until this very moment, I knew my husband very well... Or did I?No, I would not begin to doubt a man who had protected me from his world for four years without harm just due to some words and trap said and played by his rivalry.I would not be
DELUCASurprise was what I felt when I was informed of there being a gunfight down at the club, then I was satisfied when I heard someone had dealt with the perpetrators but the shock I felt when I was informed who had done so was palpable.Elena Russon.She was a renowned model but I had no clue she could even fire a shot or even knew how to fire one, but then I felt a sense of annoyance that I didn't know her as well as I thought I did.Then they told me someone died in the club and a feeling of fear I had only felt with Colton my brother or Lucas and my---- rose in my heart as images of Elena laid on the cold floor with blood seeping out of her filled my head.Then they told me she was not the one shot and I heaved out a sigh of relief as Lucas gave me a funny look just as I stood up and left my office with him following."Send for the two fools" He clearly understood what I ordered but couldn't seem to resist the urge to get his satisfaction by taunting me."Elena shot someone, sm
ELENA As soon as I got back to the estate, I immediately locked myself up in my bedroom where I fell down to my behind at the door as tears assaulted me.Today I was so close to being killed all due to the fact that I was searching for the cause of my late husband's mysterious murder.Now I wondered at who might have sent them, was it Deluca? That seemed far-fetched seeing as he came down to the club and helped question the bouncer I had caught trying to sneak away after the car had raced off in front of me.Or did he do it and came down there to put me off? he seemed calculating enough to make such an attempt and also destroying me too but what was his aim, what exactly was his end game in all of this?Or was it the mafia council elders? They had wanted me to give up the Empire for Dante and had made threats too.But also if they had been in this dangerous game for so long, surely they would have more than lousy assassins trying to end me, it couldn't be Dante also because Dante w
DELUCA"Boss, we caught the two suspects" The voice on the other end sounded a bit unsure even as he reported that information to me."You don't seem certain of your capture" I pointed out and heard some scrapings."Yes boss, we caught a girl and a guy but their ID says "Married" He explained and I cocked one eyebrow with interest, that was not what we had here on them.They were Barbara Evans and Carl Evans, siblings with the same parents and blood too."Send in your resignation letter to your supervisor and get out of that building, You should know more about fake IDs than anyone there" I disconnected the call and Lucas gave me a certain evil stare."What did he say they were?" He asked as though he had not heard everything being said over the phone."Lovers Lucas, they call themselves Lovers" I added an air quote and watched him grin with malice."I seem to know I'd enjoy this session, you coming?""Wouldn't miss it, Let's go" I stood up and left the office with him following and s
ELENA My hands tightened around the gun in my purse. I had Sarah behind me as I led her out of the backstage. My white dress was splattered with blood—it looked like something out of a horror movie. I probably looked just like Deluca had when he waltzed into the place with confidence, despite being stained from head to toe in blood.I had just finished changing when I heard the gunshots. My heart pounded with fear—fear for the life of my best friend, who had stubbornly followed me to the show.I came across a dead makeup artist with a gunshot wound to her head. I sidestepped her body and rushed to my purse, pulling out the gun.I turned down the hallway that led in and out and heard another shot go off. Blood splattered onto me, but I didn’t hesitate—I fired two quick shots.I had found Sarah being held at gunpoint and had shot the man before dragging her out to the stage.But I was confused by the chaos unfolding in the venue. Every dignitary was running, as though they had no train
DELUCA Waltzing into the arena, my body smeared with blood and my confidence soaring—perhaps for the first time in my life—stares and murmurs followed my every move. Everyone was either curious or, more likely, terrified of whose blood I wore like a trophy.I felt better. Two down, two to go.And Lucas had finally freed himself from that bloodsucking leech, Madeline.I coolly pulled out a chair in the VIP section and sat down, not caring in the slightest whom it was reserved for. I crossed my legs, clasped my hands together, and watched as the show began.The first models came and went, each exuding a kind of elegance that captivated the crowd. But I was growing impatient.Then, the curtains drew back—and out walked the only person I was certain everyone had come to see.She embodied elegance. She didn’t just walk the runway—she owned it. She moved with a confidence most women could only dream of. The sparkle in her eyes made one thing clear: she loved the attention. Everyone was ent
ELENA I refused to regret not taking the car—or Mr. Leo—along. I could’ve made a quick change and saved time, but the truth was, I had achieved my mission. That alone made it worth it.I’d helped DeLuca.Now, he owes me.But my small victory was short-lived. My smile faded the moment I saw a figure standing at the entrance, arms folded. As I got closer, I recognized her.Sarah.Thankfully, I’d already taken off the mask I used earlier.“It’s about time,” she said, voice flat.I ignored her tone, parked the bike in a hurry, and rushed past her, heading upstairs to my room for a quick shower.“Please inform Mr. Leo to get the car ready,” I tossed over my shoulder without slowing down.To my surprise, Sarah didn’t argue. She just watched me go, silent.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ten minutes later…I stepped out of the house and Sarah was nowhere in sight. Relief washed over me. Maybe she was letting me off the hook—for now. I didn’t have the time or energy for one of her lectures tonight
DELUCA I was surprised—shocked, even—and it showed on my face.I had prided myself on the ability to remain unshaken after the life I’d lived, but this infuriating woman surprised me daily.And this… this was the height of it.I looked around as I stood up, only to discover she was nowhere to be found.Lucas gave me an ear-splitting grin as he hopped over to me. I cut away his ropes.“Where is she?” I asked.He shrugged, but when I glared at him, he finally spoke.“She left.”“What do you mean she left?” My brows furrowed in frustration.“She did. She told me to shut up and disappeared into the night,” he said with that same irritating shrug before bending down to pick up a groaning Colton, whose eyes were starting to flutter open.“Do I send him back?”I looked at Colton and decided it was time he watched.Time he stopped being a child and finally understood what I had been protecting him from.Maybe then he’d stop being such a blabbermouth.Such an idiot.For years, I’d protected h
ElenaAs we drove back to the mansion, I suddenly had an idea—A very bad idea that could get me killed.I stayed calm until we got to the house. Sarah made an excuse to go clean up in her room, and I took that as my opportunity to hash out my ridiculous plan.If I could help rescue—or at least assist—Deluca, he’d owe me a debt, and he'd want to repay it.That was when my ridiculous plan got interesting enough for me to actually go through with it.I called his line, and an unknown male picked up.“What do you want?” he barked into the phone.I was already tapping on my laptop, tracing the call to its current location.“I was hoping to talk to the owner of the cell,” I began, dragging out my purpose for calling. He took the bait like a fool.“He’s not available. Who’s talking?” he demanded.Just then, my laptop gave a sharp ping. I quickly disconnected the call.My lips curved into a triumphant grin.I got dressed, not forgetting my face mask, and silently slipped out of the mansion.
DelucaA groan slipped past my lips as I forced my eyes open, instinctively trying to palm my head with my hands—only to find it hard to do so.Pain radiated from the back of my head as I slowly but surely glanced around, instantly spotting three men standing around me. Beside me sat an awake Lucas.“You awake yet?” he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.A slow smile tugged at my lips.“You still have the head to smile, bastard,” Lucas cussed, though amusement colored his tone.“What... happened?” I asked quietly. He gave me a look—and then it all came rushing back. I squeezed my eyes shut.That happened.“That happened,” I whispered, and he whistled.“No, we’re dreaming,” he said with mocking condescension, and I knew I deserved it—for not keeping a level head when I got that call.All I’d felt was rage. I still felt it. But I knew I needed to stay calm now.“Then we’ve got to wake up,” I muttered.I shot him a sharp glare, but he waved me off with a goofy look.“I know you’re my
ElenaA ping alerted me to a text on my phone. It looked like it was from Lucas, but I couldn’t decipher what the words meant.I gave Sarah a look across the breakfast table and turned the phone to her.She read through it and gave me a shrug.“Maybe ask one of their own?” she suggested, an unsure look on her face. I gave it some thought.As much as I didn’t want to have anything to do with them, they were slowly but surely pulling me into their affairs.This could be a way to get something on them—something that might force them to start telling me what I wanted to know.I stood up and nodded at Sarah. She gave me a look before standing up, too.“If you’re going, I’m going,” she declared.I gave her a disbelieving look.What did she think she was doing?“Um... no, you’re not,” I began, but she shushed me with a raised palm.That was insulting, but she was my friend, and I did that to her all the time—so maybe…“I want to help. Why? Think I’m too frail?” she cocked an eyebrow at me.I
DelucaMy hands clenched into fists as I watched Lucas work on his laptop, trying to uncover Ramsey’s hidden location.We had been at this for two straight days without a single moment of rest, and it was beginning to take its toll on all of us.Madeline slept on the couch, occasionally snoring—and it grated heavily on my nerves.I sighed, unclenching my fists and resting my head in my hands.My head was pounding, and with nothing to show for it, I was growing more and more agitated.It had been easy to pull up a photo of her, but tracking down her location was taking far longer than I’d like.My brows furrowed as the sharp, shrill sound of my ringtone pierced the otherwise silent room. I calmly grabbed the phone.Boldly written on the screen were two words: “Unknown Caller.”I picked up without a second thought, placing it to my ear.“We have Colton.”My spine snapped straight, and my eyes squeezed shut.What was it with Colton always getting kidnapped for ransom?“I know you’ve been
ElenaI sank down into the seat, dragging in deep breaths as I reconciled with the fact that I had come this close to death without having achieved anything.It was surreal to realize I felt no remorse for the dead man. But I simply couldn’t find it in me to feel anything.I knew that sooner or later, I would kill someone with this gun—but thinking about it and actually doing it were two different things.What was even more disturbing was my lack of anxiety or emotion altogether.I didn’t dare to glance at him again, afraid that doing so might awaken feelings I didn’t want to face.Slowly, I stood up, giving the room one last look. Nothing seemed out of place—except for the pile of burnt papers.Lately, I had been feeling suspicious. Who had burned them? Whoever it was had to be aware of Lorenzo’s dealings.And if that was the case, they must have been close to him.It could be Dante… or the Council Elders… or even Deluca.This was beyond frustrating. I was going around in circles, an