Chapter 3

Anna sat in the helicopter, her eyes puffy with tears. Somewhere deep within her, she wished the helicopter would crash. She couldn’t move an inch with her father’s men watching her.

It all felt like a terrifying nightmare to her, she prayed for it to end—but it was all real, too real. She had thought her life was already miserable but the rapid twist…, tears brimmed in the corner of her eyes.

In no time, the long-dreaded moment came. They arrived in Italy—Vincenzo Empire. They stopped at an airport, and the longer they waited for Vincenzo’s men to show up, the faster her heart beat in her ribcage.

The men’s keen eyes were on her—they knew if she managed to slip through their fingers, they would be dead.

And then they came—the men the Don had sent himself. The leader of her father’s men walked up to them, and they exchanged words in Italian, none of which she could understand.

One handshake was all it took for them to hand her over. Her body trembled, her blood ran cold.

She was led into a black SUV, and just like that, she was taken to the clan. The ride was long, and despite how deep into the night it was, she didn’t bat her lids. She couldn’t dare close her eyes.

A black gate stood tall and eerie, welcoming them. This was it—Vincenzo Clan. She shuddered. The dark gray walls made her phobia worsen. She could only imagine the terror awaiting her behind those gates.

The gates opened, and it was nothing like the Lorenzo Empire. Her forehead creased in fear and worry at the forest path that greeted them. Were they here to kill her? And dump her body somewhere?

Her hands shook as they drove past the path, thick forest on both sides. The forest seemed never-ending, stretching for miles. She swallowed. She was seated between two large men—she couldn’t bolt, and even if she managed to, she’d be shot down and wild animals would certainly gobble her up.

Thankfully, they passed the forest, and a large mansion greeted her. The gates opened, and they drove in. They were here—Vincenzo Empire.

She got out of the car, and they led her inside. The walls were dark gray, the ceilings high, and something thick lingered in the air. Golden dim lights, luxury, and power filled the place. But she wasn’t here to admire the antique decor—she was here to see the Don.

They led her to a lounge.

“Sit,” one of the men ordered.

Her eyes took in the room—glass walls, gray sofas, and an enigmatic chandelier hung from the high ceiling, casting golden lights.

Her body shook fervently. She was in enemy territory. Her eyes fell on the glass windows. She could jump, but the odds of ending up with a broken neck were very high.

Then the door pushed open, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Three bulky men stepped in, draped in expensive suits—and then he walked in. The Don of Vincenzo Empire. Her heart caught in her throat.

Midnight black hair, black eyes, features sharp, and a gaze as cold as death.

She had only seen him on the news once or twice—never had she thought she’d meet him in person. She straightened her back when his shrewd eyes landed on her.

“Miss Lorenzo,” his words were low but thick in the air. “Welcome.”

He dismissed his guards, and then it was just the two of them left in the room. His movements—everything he did—were poised and calculated. Well, he was the Don of the strongest mafia group in the world.

“I won’t harm you, little child. Loosen up those stiff little shoulders,” he chuckled. Anna wondered why he even bothered to pacify her. Why did he care?

“A… a pleasure meeting you, Don Vincenzo,” Anna stammered, her gaze lowered to the floor.

“Likewise.”

No more words were exchanged before the door flung open. An average-height but sturdy man stepped inside, his blonde hair ruffled, his green eyes burning with rage.

“Warn that fuckin’ piece of trash or I’ll break him in half,” he snarled.

Anna gulped. Was he the Don’s son—the one she was to marry?

The Don’s eyes flickered with annoyance. “Sit, Domenico,” he ordered. And even though the man was obviously angry, he didn’t dare defy the Don.

He sat in the chair closest to her, and then his eyes snapped to stare—no, glare—at her. Anna shrunk in her seat.

“Is she…” he half-questioned the Don.

“Yes, Domenico. This is Anna Lorenzo—your wife to be.”

Anna’s heart dropped. The way he stared at her after the air had been cleared—it felt like he wanted to engulf her in flames.

She parted her lips to speak, but then someone else stepped into the room.

Sturdy. Extremely tall. Midnight black hair. And those gray orbs. Anna felt cold sweat roll down her back. It was him—the murderer she had seen in that dark alley. His cologne instantly lit up the room. Anna almost couldn’t breathe.

Things constantly moved from bad to worse. Why was he here? Everyone knew the Don had only one son, whom he had just introduced—Domenico. So why was this killer here?

“You motherfucker—I’ll definitely kill you!” Domenico snapped, not giving a damn that Anna was in the same room.

“Hm? How did you know?” An enigmatic smirk rested on his lips. “Mother and I… had a good time.”

His words enraged Domenico even more, and he instantly sprang up, throwing a punch at him—but Leone easily caught it.

“Where’s your etiquette? You shouldn’t be doing this in the presence of our… visitor,” he drawled. Then his eyes fell on her.

Anna felt like her heart was about to leap from her chest. His eyes locked with hers. A smirk rested on his lips, but his gaze… as cold as the night they met.

“Anna, my second son…” Enzo drawled, as if his own words left a bitter taste in his mouth. “Leone.”