DELUCA My eyes were fixated on the stage. It was still empty, but according to the MC, that wouldn’t be the case for long. All I wanted was to see what Elena had in store for the crowd.It was surprising that she even accepted the invite to compete with people far below her level, but it spoke volumes about how humble she was.I was certain she was ready to win this competition, and I found myself grinning, growing more excited about how the evening would unfold.Camilla was also in the contest, which was another reason Lucas and I were so expectant. We both knew something—or someone—was bound to go down tonight."A tally before you is where you can make your votes. It will be calculated systematically."The guests said nothing to that, not even a peep. I fought off a grin—Lucas and I must have really scared them into silence. But what can I say? I know how to choose my words.My phone vibrated on the table. I gave it a simple glance and saw Colton’s name flashing on the screen.I wa
ELENAI gave Sarah a once-over again as the car drove down the highway, and she returned the look."Why are you coming again?" I asked."I heard the bimbo from last time will be there," she said with a grin, and I raised an eyebrow."Bimbo?" I asked, confused, and she smirked."The one you said is Cam or something." She looked thoughtful, and I began to recall who the bimbo was I had told Sarah about—Cam... Camilla."What do you mean she’ll be there?" I asked, leaning forward, my curiosity piqued."She’s competing. It’s all over the news." She looked at me like I was an idiot, and I had nothing to say to that. If Camilla was competing, then there was a high chance DeLuca would attend.It had been far too long, and he still hadn’t given me any feedback regarding the contract. To say I was getting fed up with his silence was the understatement of the century."I didn’t know that," I mumbled, my mind now filled with thoughts of the competition.It had been a while since I entered one—a f
DELUCA "Still nothing?" I asked as I sift through some files I had been going through earlier in the day before I gave them up in favor of my thoughts."Nothing at all, I have run through every possible camera and location tracking and such but still nothing" i hummed trying to act nonchalant but I was burning within.Dain Saints was still on the loose and nowhere to be found and it was setting my nerves ends on fire with anger and rage.I couldn't fully express the type of annoyance and irritation that I was withholding deep within me.I just wanted to find the bastard and squash him to tiny pieces. He must be feeling proud of himself for escaping my grasp in a place I called my territory."He's slippery, and it looks as though he just vanished into thin air" Lucas said, his voice laced with the same annoyance but also with tiredness and I finally gave him a look.He was looking bad, well we both were so let's not throw stones at anyone."There's a show this evening, you can go to l
ELENA Once again, I found myself wishing for a place of comfort. I had taken the car from Mr. Leo and driven out into the city. The feeling of freedom rushed through me like a happy thrill—but I knew I couldn’t afford to feel that.I was no longer a free woman. I was caged in this dangerous game—this game filled with bloodshed, threats, and wickedness. More and more, as the days passed by in a blur, I began to think I was in way over my head.I slammed on the brakes as soon as I spotted a small, rundown coffee shop to my left and quickly maneuvered the car into their narrow driveway.Taking a deep breath, I just sat there. The scent of coffee was a welcome change. I had always turned to coffee when I felt weak about everything in my life, and today was no exception.I walked up to the door and pushed it open. A bell rang above my head, announcing my presence. As I stepped in, I silently praised myself for going simple today—jogger pants, an oversized shirt, and my freshly done hair f
DELUCAI should’ve felt satisfaction. I should’ve been proud of the statement we made. Three heads—severed, boxed, delivered like cursed trophies to every name on my watch list.But instead… I felt restless.Because while those dogs had been easy to break, Dain Saint still hadn’t been found. And that bothered me more than I wanted to admit.He was clever—slippery. And worse, he wasn’t afraid to bleed to win. That made him dangerous. And for now, out of reach.Elena’s contract still sat untouched. I’d delayed it longer than necessary, wondering what she thought of me now.Because once that contract was signed… there was no turning back.I sipped my champagne slowly, seated at the far end of the casino bar. The room buzzed with low music and murmurs, but I was alone—without guards, without Lucas, without noise.And then came that voice. That smug, unwanted voice.“Well, well. The boss in the flesh. Alone. No entourage?”I didn’t turn immediately. I brought the glass to my lips and took
ELENA "Really? I gave you advice today, and you went on a spa day without me?" Sarah quipped with a smile as she appraised my new look, happiness glowing on her face. I laughed."Tell that to the girl who goes shopping without me," I shot back, and she sniffed."Hey, you don't like shopping. Unlike me, I love spa days," she cried out the last part when she saw my curls."Hah... you're the one who never wants to do it. Don’t blame me for wanting to look good," I pointed at her, and she playfully glared at my hand."I could break that, you know," she teased, eyeing my pointy finger, and I quickly withdrew it."Yeah, right. Get your own look and leave mine alone," I yelled, heading up the stairs."Hah... very funny," she called back with a short laugh.I smiled at the banter as I retreated to my room. And that’s when I saw it—a small red envelope lying atop a tiny box at the edge of my bed. Alarmed, I glanced around the room. Nothing seemed out of place or taken.Everything appeared unt
ELENA I left the orphanage with a heavy heart—so unlike how it always felt—and that hurt more than anyone could ever know.My mind drifted back to my conversation with Sarah that morning, and I sighed. She was worried about me—and with good reason. But I had so much on my mind. Thankfully, the bodyguards protecting her and my father were doing a good job, which gave me one less thing to stress about.Even though it lifted a small weight off my shoulders, there was still so much to worry about.Suddenly, my thoughts shifted to Deluca, and I wondered what this contract between us would be like. I reminded myself not to worry too much—I had made it clear that it would happen on my terms.Still, I needed to get my mind off everything, and the orphanage was no longer helping with that. As I glanced out the tinted window, I saw the neon lights of a spa I used to visit. Without overthinking it, I told Mr. Leo to stop there.I stepped out of the car and took in a deep, much-needed breath bef
ELENA It wasn’t fair—not in the least. Here I stood, far from the place that once offered me the comfort I craved, the place that held my pieces together. The place that made me feel safe whenever I needed it.Now, I was running from that very place—all because of one incident. It shook me to my core. It had always been easy to pretend nothing mattered when I was in danger. But to have that same danger threaten the people who held so much of my heart... that was something I couldn’t bear. Something I didn’t want.Tears welled in my eyes as memories threatened to break through the mental cages I had placed around them. I had been promised protection. And no matter how many times I reminded myself of that, the pain only grew. The hurt that came with knowing what was promised to me had only been delivered halfway.You promised me forever, Lorenzo. How could you do this to me?How could you be taken away from me before you even had the chance to fully fulfill that promise?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DELUCA We drove down to a basement near the sea ports, arriving quickly due to the way I handled the wheel.As soon as we stopped in front of the tank where they were held, I turned to Lucas.“Clear out the area. And next time, make sure the place is more deserted,” I ordered.He gave a sharp nod, stepped out of the car, and I did the same.Advancing toward the tank, I didn’t glance away as I took slow, deliberate steps. My men standing by the door noticed me immediately and greeted me with knowing smiles before locking the door behind me.They knew what came next. And I’d humor them.Inside, I found three men—tied up, gagged, and blindfolded. The sight of them fueled my rage.“Take off the gags and blindfolds. I want them to know who they messed with,” I ordered. One of my guards stepped forward to carry it out.The stench of piss filled the air as their eyes met mine. I smiled at them—a fake one, and I was sure they knew it.“M-Mr. Delu—Mr...” one of them stuttered.“Oh, don’t star