Chapter 3

Nadia’s POV

I stood rooted to the spot, trying to process what I’d just heard. Then I turned to Jaxon, “was he talking to me?” I asked, gesturing at myself with my finger.

“He definitely was, Nadia.” he responded.

Oh God.

“Well, why are you still standing there, Nadia? Go on and get changed!” The manager suddenly came out of nowhere and scolded me.

I quickly headed to the female locker room and changed into my work dress, pulling my hair up in a tight ponytail and arranging my bangs properly. Then I walked out, grabbed the small apron and tied it to my waist. I let out a deep breath and walked to the counter.

“Okay, my pen and jotter please.” I said to Jaxon. He handed it over and gave me a thumbs up. I walked upstairs, to the private room, gently pushed the door open and stepped in. There were three men, all looking mean, not a single smile on their faces. I walked up to them, my heels making short clinking sounds.

“Good day, gentlemen. My name is Nadia, and I’ll be taking care of you today,” I said smiling at them. Surprisingly, two of the men smiled back at me—well, except for him.

He was striking, dangerously so—sharp jawline which fitted perfectly into his oval shaped face, dark blue eyes, dark hair styled to perfection, even the perfectly tailored Italian suit couldn’t hide his muscular frame.

I blinked and smiled at him. His face was frost hard, his gaze on me remained unwavering. I tore my eyes from him and brought out my pen and jotter, taking down the order of the two men before turning to him.

“And you, sir? what would you like to drink? “I asked, smiling politely. But he just kept staring at me, it made my chest tighten, I was afraid my heart might jump out of my chest any minute.

“Dai, Enzo, non spaventare la povera ragazza.” One of them spoke Italian, asking Lorenzo not to scare me.

“A bottle of your best whiskey.” He finally spoke. I paused for a moment. That voice. It sounded like something I’d heard before, his Italian accent so deep it vibrated through the air. I shook my head and waved the thoughts away.

“Alright sir. I’ll be right back with your orders.” I smiled at them and turned around, trying to walk steadily, but my knees felt like water. I could still feel his gaze on me as I walked out the door. I got to the counter and released the breath I’d been holding in.

“Nadia, are you okay?” Jaxon asked, but I rolled my eyes at him.

“Do I look okay, Jaxon?” I whispered, my voice trembling, “that man is very scary.” I started sorting out their orders, crosschecking to be sure I have the right one. Then I walked back to the private room with the basket. They were in a deep conversation, but the moment I walked in, his gaze landed on me again, piercing this time.

I almost lost balance but immediately regained composure, “i am sorry for disturbing your conversation, your orders.” I settled the basket down, placing the drink on the table in front of them, alongside clean, sparkling glasses.

“Your whiskey, sir,” i said and dropped the bottle of whiskey in front of him, alongside two sparkling crystal glasses. I opened the drink for and carefully poured into his glass, repeating the same for the other two men before straightening up.

“Is there anything else you would like?” I asked smiling at them.

“That would be all.” He responded, his gaze still fixed sharply on me. I smiled and picked up my basket with shaky hands.

“Please, if you need anything else just ring the bell, and I’ll be right up.” I said to them and quietly exited the room.

I did it! Oh! thank goodness.

I rushed into the bathroom and my hand flew to my chest, patting gently. God knows it took strong self will not to pass out in front of him. I splashed water on my face and walked out of the bathroom, hoping today would just fast forward.

I walked back to the counter, the place was empty since Lorenzo booked the whole place. So I’d just have to wait until he leaves before customers can start coming in. I brought out my phone and got busy with it.

About half an hour later, sounds of footsteps echoed on the stairs. I lifted my head and Lorenzo was in front, his hands in his pockets, he was the first to come out. His gaze landed on me again, I quickly turned around and bent my head. I heard the heavy, hurried footsteps of the manager before he even got to the corner.

“Mr Romano, I hope you enjoyed your stay? “He asked, grinning widely.

“Of course.” He stated plainly, his gaze still on me. He stared at me for what seemed like an eternity, then walked out of the bar with the other two men following closely behind him. The moment he stepped outside, several men in black suits rushed over and covered him till he got to the car, five different cars later drove off.

“Thank goodness.” I murmured, my hand patting my chest.

“You have done well, Nadia. For that, I’ll give you a bonus.” The manager said, smiling at me.

A bonus means extra money, and that made me really happy. “Thank you, sir.” I smiled at him. He nodded and entered his office.

I Walked back to the private room and cleaned up the residues, cleared out the empty bottles and glasses than dropped them in the back of the house. Opening the huge door of the bar, I switched the closed sign to open. The moment I did, customers started flooding in, and the rest of the day was a workload.

I kept working, not realizing the eagle eyes that had been watching me all along from across the street.

* * * *

Lorenzo’s POV

“Are you certain she is a Vance?” I asked my assistant, Viktor. My fingers drumming rhythms on the hump seat.

“Yes, Don. She is Nadia Vance. Frederick Vance’s only child.” He responded.

That bastard had a child. How come I never knew? The fire from five years ago claimed his entire family’s life. So how did she survive.

Her father was present when my little sister was murdered, I saw it clearly in the video, yet he did nothing and fled the scene afterwards.

The hatred has been buried deep inside me for years. But I couldn’t do nothing because I felt his entire bloodline had been wiped off.

But he has a daughter. An insanely beautiful and well endowed daughter, one I would derive so much joy breaking every single day. Now she owes me, not only for what her father did, but also her uncle’s dept, and she’s going to be the price for all of them.

A smirk crept up my lips as I looked down at the tablet in my hand, at the picture displaying on the screen, ‘Lei è mia’ I murmured.

“Prepare, we will pay a visit to the Bennetts tomorrow.” I said to Viktor and gently relaxed my head on the seat, closing my eyes.

“Have they brought him in?” I asked.

“Si, Don Lorenzo. He is already in the dungeon.” Viktor responded.

“Good.” I responded as the driver stepped on the pedal, knowing fully well what my response meant.

On arriving at the estate at Aspromonte, I got off the car and walked straight to the underground dungeon. I shed my suit jacket, tossing it to Viktor. I losened the top three buttons of my shirt, ripping the cufflinks free as I descended the stone stairs, grabbing a heavy iron chain from the torture rack, I stepped into the cell to see him beaten to stupor.

“Well. well… to think that you’d dare try to run. What? Did you think I would never find you? Stupido.”

Wrapping the iron chain tightly around my hand, I delivered two effortless blows to his face. He crashed down instantly, blood oozing from his nose and mouth. Perfect.

I grabbed fistfuls of his hair and yanked it backwards, then whispered in his ear, “when I am done with you, I will wipe out your entire lineage. I know you sent them abroad, my men already have eyes on them, just one call and your name will be wiped off the book of history. So, will you confess, or—“

“Confessero, la prego, signore Lorenzo. I will confess.” He choked out, blood trickling down his mouth. I pushed him to the ground and walked over to the chair in front and sat down.

“Go on.” I said to him as I listened to him confess, mentioning the one name I had in mind all along. That piece of shit.

“So, what about the package. Where is it?” I asked him, his expression flickered, and I knew right away that he would lie.

“I don’t know. I swear, I don’t know.” He sobbed. I chuckled and stood up from the chair.

“Marcus. You know, I would have spared you if you just told me the truth. The thing is, I have already recovered that package. And I knew you had a hand in that theft.”

I drew the gun from my shoulder holster and leveled it at him. “But, you lied.” I pulled the trigger. The bullet went straight to his head. I never miss. His body dropped to the ground, blood staining the cold hard floor of the dungeon.

“Take the body out and set it ablaze.” I said to one of men, then walked out of the dungeon to the mansion. The housekeeper and the other workers paused and bowed the moment they saw me.

“Find out everything about Nadia Vance, I need to know every single thing about her.” I told Viktor before climbing the stairs to my room.

I had a debt to collect tomorrow.