LOGINLuciano’s POVIf Marcello thought I would back down because of some half-hearted attempt at a mock charge, he was dangerously mistaken. Attempting to kill me was one thing. But attempting to hurt my family? That was a whole different story, and one I wouldn't take lightly. After we left the building where Marcello had set up his mock ambush, I decided to go where I thought he would be. The same place he had been in all the stories I had heard of him, the docks. With his hidden assets already burnt to the ground, he was basically cornered. Which wasn't necessarily a good thing. Cornering a predator seldom ends well. But it was a risk I was willing to take.Our cars skidded to a halt as we arrived at the docks. And we all got out. The place reeked of rust and salt water as usual. And the air was chilly. I gestured with my fingers, and the men spread out to search the perimeter. I was more alert now, after what he did last time. This place was practically his lair. A lot of people hav
Luciano’s POVEveryone, down to the last man, stood up, and I simply gave a nod. I didn’t thank them. Nor did I commend or acknowledge them. Because what would I commend them for? Loyalty? These were the same people who betrayed me without a second thought when Marcello showed up. What they had displayed by standing up now wasn't loyalty. It was fear. And it didn't matter to me if they were loyal or not. Fickle loyalty that could change in a moment was irrelevant to me. Their fear was enough. Like Niccolo Machiavelli said, it's better to be feared than loved.“Good,” I said simply. Silence followed afterwards, their faces expectant. Romano cleared his throat slightly.“What are your orders, Don?” he asked. I almost laughed, imagining how he most likely also asked the same question to Marcello as soon as Marcello took over. “Act like this never happened and keep an eye on your territories,” I said. “There should be no unauthorized movement in or out of your respective domains. And m
Luciano’s POVBy morning, most of the evidence of any attack, the blood stains, bodies, and dirt had been removed. Construction workers had already begun working on repairing the east wing and dealing with the bullet marks on the wall. Meanwhile, I stood around the east wing, watching the workers making repairs. My mind was going at hundreds of thoughts per minute as I analyzed the situation in retrospect. I had thought Marcello was only interested in taking over the Mafia. But apparently, he had a particular interest in getting rid of me, his own son. Even I was surprised by how twisted he was. He didn't even consider his grandkids.It was obvious I was playing the game too kindly. It was about time I threw off all sympathy or compassion. I had held back because I didn't want to kill my own father. But if this could only end with one of us alive, then I knew what I needed to do. James’ corpse, the guard who betrayed us, had been taken away. And his blood had been wiped off the floo
Luciano’s POVAs soon as the second explosion rocked the building, Mariella dashed up the stairs. For someone who refused to go upstairs when I tried to tell her to, she sure changed her mind fast. I gripped my gun tighter, and my eyes darted around when I suddenly heard one of my men shout.“Sir, the east wing is compromised!”Shit. This was getting a lot worse than I thought it would be. Marcello was really going all out against me. The man didn't even care that his grandkids live in the same house he's tossing bombs at.“You and the others hurry over there. Kill everyone in sight!”“Roger that, sir!”----I moved through the mansion, my hand gripping my gun tightly. The men followed behind me. I could barely breathe or see properly with the amount of dust hanging in the air. We moved fast. Any wasted second could mean another explosion.“Seal the east wing!” I barked. “And shoot anyone who resists.”“Yes, boss!”Boots thundered across the marble floors as my men scrambled to rep
Mariella’s POVAntonio started screaming just before dawn. I was already awake when it happened. I hadn’t slept. Not really. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw flashes of fire and scattered movement that didn’t fully make sense. Like pieces of something trying to come together but failing.Then suddenly, I heard Antonio scream…“NO!”The sound tore through the hallway. And I was out of bed before I even realized I’d moved.----Antonio’s door was already open when I got there. And he stood in the middle of the room, breathing hard, his small hands clenched into fists at his sides. His eyes stared blankly into space like he had seen a ghost. “Antonio,” I said carefully, stepping closer. “Hey… look at me.”He didn’t respond. Instead, he took a step back. And then another. Like he was trying to get away from something only he could see. I looked behind me at the wall, thinking perhaps he had seen a cockroach, something he seriously hated.“They’re here,” he said, his expression terrifi
Mariella's POVThere was a moment of silence as we both stared at each other. His eyes looked softer than usual tonight. And as our eye contact lingered on, I didn't know whether to speak first or whether to let him speak. “You’re hurt.”The words left my mouth before I could stop them.His gaze flickered briefly before settling back into something neutral.“It’s nothing,” he said.I almost smiled but forced myself not to. Of course, it was nothing. Even if the whole planet were to blow up and the two of us were left floating in space, he'd still say it was nothing. He felt distant. But could I blame him? I was the one who kept pushing him away. Then, taking a deep breath, I walked closer to him, ignoring the way Dante and Jose quietly stepped back, giving us space.“Let me see,” I said. “I said it’s nothing, Mariella.” He said, his voice a little hostile. I stopped a few steps away from him, folding my arms slightly.“Right,” I said. “Because getting blown up at your own gates is
Mariella's POV“L-Luciano–” I stuttered as I watched him vibrate in rage. He looked like he would snap at any moment. “How dare he?” Luciano growled, clenching his fists till blood started dripping down his hands.“Brother, please calm down,” Jose tried to de-escalate the situation.“Calm down?!”
Mariella’s POVThe question hung heavily in the air between us.Luciano suddenly pushed himself to his feet and began pacing the room.He stood up abruptly and began pacing the room.“My father isn’t the type to miss important details about people,” he continued. “If there was something like that i
Mariella’s POVI watched the sea spray the rocky beach with its salty waters as we drove along the coastline, and looking behind us, I saw the city lights fade into the distance. We were safe for now. The drive continued for a little while longer, and soon we came to a crunching halt on a gravel
Mariella’s POVThe world didn’t go silent as usual when I blacked out. This time felt different.Usually, my visions are like watching a movie - distant, like I’m only an observer. But this time felt different. It felt like I was at the center of it all.I saw the shop, but it was bathed in a stran







