Hearts in crossfire

LAKESIDE — 9:30 A.M.

Leonardo pulled over near a quiet lake, the tires crunching over the gravel as the car came to a stop. Towering trees wrapped the area in a cocoon of privacy, their leaves whispering secrets to the wind. The lake’s surface shimmered like glass, reflecting the pale blue of the morning sky. It was the kind of place where time felt slower—more fragile.

But the silence between them was anything but peaceful.

Leonardo got out first, slamming the door harder than he needed to. Anna followed hesitantly, her arms wrapped tightly around herself—not from the cold, but from the weight pressing down on her chest. She walked to the water’s edge, her eyes locked on the gentle ripples as if they might drown out the chaos in her heart.

She didn’t hear him approach.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Anna?”

His voice cut like glass. She flinched and turned slowly, her face a careful mask.

“What are you doing, Leo?” she asked, her voice quiet but defensive. “Are you following me now? What do you want from me?”

He stared at her, his expression unreadable, except for the storm brewing behind his eyes.

“What do I want?” He laughed bitterly, shaking his head. “You’re asking me that? After everything? You vanish, marry someone else, and expect me to just disappear too? Like I never mattered?”

“I told you,” she replied firmly, stepping back. “I’m married. That’s it. We’re over.”

“No,” he said, stepping closer. “You didn’t tell me anything. You ran. You disappeared. And now you act like I’m the crazy one for needing answers?”

She tried to step away again, but he caught her chin gently, forcing her to look up at him.

“Don’t lie to me,” he whispered. “Just tell me what the hell I did wrong. Tell me what changed.”

Tears pooled in her eyes. “Leo… you didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Then why?” he snapped, his voice rising. “Why, Anna? Why did you leave me like that? Was I just a phase? A convenient escape?”

“No—” she started, but he cut her off.

“Don’t say no if you don’t mean it! Was I just a way to pass time until someone better came along? Am I that forgettable to you?” His words were sharp, each one thrown like a dagger.

She backed up until she hit the car bumper. Her breath quickened. “You don’t understand. You never could—”

“Then make me understand!” he roared, slamming his fist against the hood. She jumped.

“I’m sorry!” she cried suddenly, her voice cracking under the pressure.

He froze.

“For what?” he asked, softer now, but broken. “For loving me? Or for pretending to?”

When she didn’t answer, his eyes darkened. He grabbed her wrists, kissing her roughly—angrily. She struggled, shaking her head, trying to twist free.

“Leo, stop—please—”

He held her in place, emotion clouding his judgment, drowning out her cries. Her tears stained her cheeks, but he wasn’t seeing her anymore. He was seeing the version of her he loved—the one who laughed in his arms, who whispered promises in the dark.

But that Anna was gone.

“LEONARDO!” she screamed, the sound raw, desperate.

It snapped him out of it.

He let go of her instantly, stumbling back as if her voice had struck him. Horror crossed his face. He looked at his hands, then at her.

“I… Anna, I didn’t mean to—” His voice broke. He sank to the ground, burying his face in his hands. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Anna stood frozen, her chest heaving. Her heart ached with too many feelings at once—fear, guilt, confusion… and love.

“I want you,” he said, choking on his words. “I don’t care what happened. I just want you back.”

He reached for her, his head resting against her waist, tears falling silently onto her dress.

Her hands hovered for a moment, trembling, before gently brushing through his hair.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I never wanted to hurt you.”

They sat by the lake, the stillness now laced with something heavier. She told him everything—the truth about her father, the impossible choices she had to make, the strings Beatrice pulled, the trap she couldn’t escape.

Leonardo listened, his jaw clenched, his hands in fists. But he didn’t interrupt. Not once.

When she was done, he spoke. “You should’ve told me. You didn’t have to go through it alone.”

“I didn’t want to drag you down with me,” she whispered. “You’ve already done more for me than I could ask. You’ve always been my knight in shining armor.”

“I wanted to be dragged in,” he replied, his voice low. “Because you were always worth it. I don’t have anyone else, Anna. It’s always been you.”

She turned to him slowly, her eyes full of tears again, but different this time.

“I still love you, Leo. I never stopped.”

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close like he was afraid to let go again.

“I love you too,” he said, kissing her forehead gently.

They stayed like that for a while, the lake and the trees their only witnesses.

Then she whispered, “Don’t take me to school.”

He looked at her, confused.

“Take me to your place,” she said. “I just want to be with you. Just us. Please.”

He nodded.

---

THE VELENO CLAN – UNKNOWN LOCATION

In a dark, smoky room lit only by the red glow of embers, a man sat on a wooden chair. His eyes were sharp, his age hidden behind a dangerous stillness.

This was Shadow—the leader of the Veleno Clan. The dark domain rivals.

“What’s the status?” he asked, voice low but deadly.

Sky, his most trusted man, bowed slightly. “They outmaneuvered us again, boss.”

Shadow’s eyes narrowed. “I trusted you. Are you tired of breathing?”

“I’m sorry, boss.”

Shadow took a long drag of his tobacco and exhaled slowly. “There’s an exchange happening tonight.”

“Yes, boss.”

“Call Ace. He’ll lead.”

Sky nodded and left the room.

Shadow muttered under his breath, “Time to come home, Ace.”

--------------

DARK DOMAIN — 6:00 P.M.

Red Room

The heavy steel door of the Red Room creaked open with a mechanical hiss as Alessandro stepped in. The room was dimly lit, blood-red LED strips casting a sinister glow over the walls, which were lined with old-world books, tech equipment, and weapons both antique and modern. Every corner pulsed with quiet danger, every shadow a reminder of the power that resided here.

At the center of the room, Alessandro sat like a god on a modern-day throne—his high-backed leather chair facing a wide desk littered with confidential files, surveillance footage, and a sleek black laptop. His fingers glided over the keyboard in silence, calculating, tracking, controlling. Every keystroke was a move on the chessboard of war.

Across the room, Kendrox, Lyra, Fire, Sage, and Thayla sat in their respective positions, each one trained in silence. No one dared speak without permission. They exchanged glances—quick, sharp, tense—but said nothing.

Then, the door burst open.

A young woman entered, panting heavily, as if she’d run the entire way from the compound gate. Her dark hair clung to her forehead with sweat, and her eyes flicked to Fire before quickly turning toward Sandro, who hadn’t even looked up from his laptop.

“Boss…” she gasped, her voice trembling as she bowed her head.

He said nothing. His fingers continued moving, faster now.

She walked silently to an empty seat, taking her place beside Fire. She kept her gaze down, trying to control her breathing.

“We’re all here, boss,” Kendrox said, finally breaking the silence, his tone neutral.

Sandro stopped typing. He looked up slowly, eyes like cut obsidian—cold, unreadable.

“I heard there was a complication during the last transport.”

“The Veleno Clan,” Kendrox said, voice tight. “They tried to intercept the shipment.”

“And?” Sandro asked without blinking.

“We handled it. Minimal losses. All assets secured.”

Sandro leaned back, his fingers steepled under his chin. The room seemed to hold its breath.

“There is no such thing as ‘minimal’ when it comes to failure,” he said flatly. “But I’ll let it slide—for now.”

Kendrox gave a slight nod. “Understood.”

“You’re all dismissed,” Sandro said suddenly, eyes flicking toward the girl seated near Fire. “Except Scylla.”

The room shifted. Fire looked up briefly at her but said nothing. The others stood and filed out, their footsteps echoing into silence. Only Sandro and Scylla remained.

She stood slowly, visibly shaken. “I’m sorry, boss,” she whispered.

He stood and walked around the desk, taking deliberate, quiet steps toward her. She didn’t dare move.

“Where were you this morning?” he asked, voice soft but dangerous.

“I—I needed air. I took a walk through the southern corridor. I lost track of time,” she answered quickly, her voice cracking.

“You were gone for hours.” His hand rested on her shoulder. Gentle. Too gentle.

Her body tensed as he leaned closer.

“You know I hate liars, Scylla. Lie to me again, and I won’t just take your title. I’ll take your tongue.”

He applied pressure—just enough to make her flinch.

“Y-yes, boss,” she gasped, pain flashing across her face.

Then he let go, returning to his seat like nothing had happened. “Get out.”

She didn’t waste a second. She bowed, head low, and exited the room, her knees barely holding her up.

Seconds later, Kendrox re-entered, an envelope in hand. He placed it carefully on the desk.

“That’s from the guy tailing Miss Mariana,” he said. “It came in just now.”

“Anything else?” Sandro asked, not looking up.

“No, boss.” Kendrox bowed and left without another word.

Sandro leaned back in his chair and opened the envelope. A file. Photographs. He flipped through them, calm, methodical—until one caught his eye.

Anna. And Leonardo.

Kissing.

By the lake.

He smiled—slow, dangerous, almost amused.

“Interesting,” he murmured to himself. “Very interesting.”

He stood up, buttoning his coat with quiet precision. Every movement was controlled, efficient.

The game had shifted.

And Sandro always played to win.