LOGINSilence gripped the hall. Even a pin drop would feel like an explosion. This was the kind of authority Rico commanded. He was feared and also respected.Two days ago, he had been plotting, studying the blueprint of this building closely, memorizing all the entryways and how to get in without being spotted.This structure was built over two centuries ago. So it wasn't a surprise if no one knew an emergency evacuation tunnel existed. He had almost missed it when he scanned the blueprints. But he wasn't called a Romano for no reason.He had zero knowledge that his team was going to infiltrate and crash the ceremony. And that made him proud. At least he knew they were willing to go to any lengths to avenge him.But at the same time, he would give them an earful after this. They were taking the biggest risk. And Marco could've killed them off without batting an eye.Marco’s breathing had grown heavier now. “You are already too late,” he said. “So I suggest you go back to whatever hole you
Ezio’s grip on the gun was firm as he aimed it at Marco, his gaze burning with heat.Marco’s men reacted at once, pulling out their weapons and pointing straight at Ezio, their fingers resting on the triggers, ready to tear him apart where he stood.Bruno drew first from the side door, his gun already raised before most guests noticed him move. Valentina stepped back from the nearest table and pulled a pistol from beneath her server’s apron, aiming without hesitation.Costa emerged from the rear hallway with his weapon in hand, covering the men near the council table. Even Matteo rose from beside the sound equipment, drawing his gun and pointing it toward Marco’s side of the room.In seconds, the hall turned into a cage of loaded weapons. Guests froze in their seats, and council members ducked lower behind tables, their expensive pride gone now that bullets were involved.The guards near the walls shifted nervously, unsure who would fire first. One wrong move would turn the polished f
Two days had passed since Rico last saw Calla. And tonight, the focus was shifted onto something else.The old hall had not been used for celebrations in years, yet tonight it was alive again.Hidden behind the back of a private estate on the edge of the city, the building looked plain from the outside. Tall gates, stone walls, armed guards, and nothing that would draw attention from the road. Anyone passing by would think it was just another rich family property.But inside was a different story. It was full of power, greed, and men hungry for control.The ceremony to name a new Don had already begun. It was held at night, after the city had settled and most people were indoors. It's believed that darkness was always kinder to men like these, as it covered faces, secrets, and sins.Dark curtains covered the walls. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm golden light over polished floors. Round tables dressed in black cloth filled the room, each set with glasses, silver cutlery, and expensive
Once Calla got back to the mansion, she tried to act normal as possible. Rico made her promise not to say anything, or let anyone know he was alive. And she would keep it that way.The guards around the compound narrowed their eyes at her, but she didn't glance at them. They obviously had seen her appearance and how her hands trembled at her sides.Rico made sure to dry her clothes—while she was in his—and have her wear it in the morning. A guard held the front door open and she slid inside. She sighed heavily, pushing forward, her feet still quiet against the clean marbles.Calla peeped around, making sure Donna Marta or Sophia were around. She held her trembling hands against her chest, and went for the stairs."Where have you been, dear?" The voice caused her to halt at the spot, her hand midair on the railing. She gulped, turning towards where the voice came from, slowly. Her eyes met that of Donna Marta, Sophia and Eli, all eating breakfast.Luxe had already gone back to The St
Rico watched as Calla stared at him, her gaze torn between understanding and pain. He hated that he was the reason she was feeling this way. He hates how he couldn't keep his promise of making her smile always. And most of all, he hated how he couldn't be by her side all the time.“So all this time… you were alone," she whispered, and her voice broke something in him. "I should have been here with you..."His eyes softened slightly, and a sigh slipped from his lips. “I'm not alone. Not anymore.”Calla pushed out a smile as tears slipped down her cheeks. She stood on her toes and wrapped her arms around his torso, fingers gripping his shirt tightly.Rico held her close, one hand at the back of her head, the other around her waist. “I’m so... so sorry,” he said against her hair. “For every night you cried. For every day you searched. And for every second you thought I was gone.”Calla held him tighter. “Don’t disappear on me again,” she whispered.His arms tightened around her. “Never l
After they left the alley, Rico took her back to the place he had been hiding in.He pushed open the door to the small room and stepped aside for her to enter first. This had been where he stayed for a while now, tucked away in a part of the city no one would think to search, and hidden enough that almost nobody would know how to find him.Calla stepped in slowly, her eyes moving around the room.It was simple and quiet. A narrow bed sat against one wall, and the sheets were neatly made. A small table nearby was covered with maps, papers, markers, and a few phones. A chair rested beside the window, though the curtains stayed drawn shut. In one corner sat a duffel bag and a stack of clothes, nothing more than what a man needed to get through each day. There was no comfort in the room, and no warmth—just survival.Calla’s chest tightened as she took it all in. This was where he had been, while she cried herself to sleep. While the whole city believed he was dead. And while she stood by
Calla stared at the figure sleeping peacefully beside her. A low exhale slipped from her lips as she remembered how Rico had broken down in her arms earlier. He really was in pain. Seeing him like that made her wish she could somehow take that weight off his shoulders, even if only a little.She wi
Rico was not used to being looked at that way. People usually looked at him with fear, with caution, or with expectation. They looked at him like he was something to respect or something to survive. No one ever looked at him the way Calla just had, as if she could see past the title, past the power
Calla sat by the window of her room, her eyes watching the wide yard outside, and the water flowing from the fountain. The statues looked beautiful, something out of an ancient painting, but she couldn't see it anymore. Not after what Donna Marta told her about it.It made her wonder how many peopl
Rico yanked the door shut behind him, the sound echoing through the quiet hallway. His jaw clenched tightly as he took long, heavy strides away from the room, shoulders vibrating, and anger burning hot in his chest.He dragged a hand over his face and through his hair, trying to calm the restless s







