Chapter Four

DELUCA

As I stepped into the office that morning, my mind was set on one thing—something I needed to handle before attending to any other business.

"Good morning, sir. I brought your coffee," Nicole, my secretary, said, placing the cup on my desk.

As she leaned forward, the neckline of her dress dipped just enough to offer a tempting view. She was petite, her curves more pronounced than her frame suggested. Her face wasn’t striking, but those curves? They more than made up for it.

I didn’t bother looking away. I knew she wanted me—her lingering glances, the way she always found reasons to be close. All it would take was a few words from me.

I cleared my throat, a silent reminder that the show was over. She straightened, adjusting her dress with a knowing smirk.

"I'll be at my desk, sir."

I gave a curt nod.

But she wasn’t the one I wanted. The only woman I wanted to hear screaming my name while I was fucking her probably hated me right now. And that was the real problem.

Back to the matter at hand, I pulled out my phone and dialed the supervisor’s number. Then, without hesitation, I called Lucas and instructed them both to meet me in my office immediately.

I wasn’t a man who minced words. So the moment they were seated in front of me, I got straight to the point.

"From this moment forward, I will be personally in charge of Harrah Joliet Casino."

Mr. Diego, the supervisor, raised an eyebrow, hesitating like he wanted to speak but didn’t dare to.

"Do you have something to say, Mr. Diego?" I asked, watching his reluctance.

He cleared his throat. "I was just surprised, sir. You’ve never really shown interest in the casino since you became a partner with the owner."

Because back then, Elena Russo had never been involved in her husband's affairs. I had only bought my share of the place to be close to her.

But to Diego, I simply said, "I wish to get myself familiar with the business from now on."

"That will be all," I said, dismissing Diego.

I saw him give a slight nod before heading out.

Turning to Lucas, I knew I was about to receive the lecture of a lifetime. He had no intention of leaving just yet.

"Does this have anything to do with Russo's widow?" Lucas asked. No one had ever dared to question my authority—except for him. Being my best friend, he got away with things others wouldn’t.

"She is a free woman," I replied, knowing I couldn't let this opportunity slip through my fingers.

Lucas crossed his arms. "Have you heard the latest rumor?"

I raised an eyebrow, silently urging him to continue.

"It's being said that you confronted Russo, and the next day, he was found dead in his office."

"Son of a bitch," I growled, slamming my fist against the desk.

Lucas exhaled sharply. "My point is, do you think she’d want anything to do with the supposed killer of her husband?"

For a split second, I wondered whose side he was on.

"Yours, of course," he answered as if reading my mind. I hadn't realized I’d spoken aloud.

I clenched my jaw. "I wish I had killed that punk myself, but someone else beat me to it," I muttered under my breath.

Lucas shook his head. "Thank Jesus you didn't. That would have killed any slim chance you have with his widow."

"Will you be coming to the club today?" Lucas asked, changing the topic.

"No, not today. I have other plans," 

I replied quickly.

Lucas eyed me suspiciously. "What about your old man? When are you going to see him?"

At the mention of my father, I immediately opened the computer in front of me, pretending to be busy.

Lucas shrugged, not wanting to push further. He knew how sensitive I got whenever my father’s name was brought up.

After Lucas left, I buried myself in work, pushing anything concerning my father to the back of my mind.

Just then, my phone buzzed on the desk. I glanced at the screen—Marco’s name flashed across it.

If he was calling me at this hour, it had to be important. I picked it up.

"Boss, Colton is back. He just came in now," Marco informed me.

I clenched my jaw. "Is he alright?" I asked, trying to control the rage simmering beneath my skin.

Marco hesitated. "He... came in drunk."

The last thread of my patience snapped. "Take his car keys and his ATM card. Hold onto them."

"Yes, boss."

I hung up, resisting the urge to smash something. Father and son—both seemed determined to push me to my limits.

ELENA 

Within the course of five days, I’ve uncovered more about my late husband than I ever did during our four years together.

And I can’t help but blame myself, too.

Growing up, I watched my father lose everything in the name of this never-ending war. The destruction of our family, the pain it brought, made me vow I’d never get caught up in such a violent world.

Lorenzo had promised to protect me, and for four years, he kept that promise.

But now, the very life I’ve tried so hard to avoid is closing in on me, and I can’t escape it.

“Bingo!” Sarah’s voice pierces through my thoughts, causing me to jump.

I blink at her, her long curly brown hair dripping wet. She had dragged me out for a swim, but here I am—sitting on the edge of the pool, letting my legs splash the water idly.

“Are you even in this universe?” she teases with a playful grin.

I glance around, noticing the guards standing nearby. This definitely isn’t the place to talk about the storm brewing in my head.

“Catch me if you can,” I say, giving her a quick wink before diving into the pool.

I stepped out of the pool, leaving Sarah, who seemed born for the water, and headed for a shower. The day was winding down, and I had plans for the night. Wrapped in a towel, I emerged from the shower to find Sarah sitting on my bed, fiddling with the strings of her hair.

"Just the person I've been waiting for," Sarah said, rearranging her hair. I walked over to my dressing mirror and sat down, my back to her.

"Are you ready to talk about him?" Sarah whispered softly, her voice laced with concern. I knew she'd been trying to get me to open up, but I'd been avoiding the topic.

Sarah got up from the bed and sat on the dressing table, facing me. "I...I trailed off, unable to confront the memories I'd buried for the past five days. Sarah reached out, her hands encouraging me to continue.

"That morning, we made passionate love. He said he needed to remember my scent throughout the day. It was one of the most beautiful experiences we'd shared." I laughed bitterly, the pain still felt raw.

"Three hours later, when he left for the office, Dante came back to the house. Dante never left his side...ever. But that day, he returned, his eyes filled with bloodshed, his clothes stained with blood. All he said was, 'The boss has been shot.'" My voice cracked, the memories flooding back.

"That's the last thing I remember before waking up in the emergency unit," I whispered, the pain and fear still etched in my mind.

I gently disengage myself from Sarah's embrace, feeling a sense of liberation wash over me, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from my shoulders.

"What's the authorities doing about his murderer?" Sarah asked, her voice trembling with rage.

I shrugged, my attention focused on applying light makeup to my face. Sarah's eyes widened in surprise.

"Where are you going at this time of night?" she asked, her concern evident.

I gave her a thoughtful look before responding, my voice confident. "The Casino."

Sarah's eyes went wide. "The what!" she exclaimed, incredulity etched on her face.