LOGIN~ Kate ~Marcus and I froze near the heavy steel door, staring at Lorenzo’s father like the world had stopped spinning completely. Horror filled my chest, locking the air in my lungs as I realized the trap we had just walked into.Mr. Moretti tilted his head slightly to the right, his cold eyes scanning me from top to bottom. A slow sigh escaped his lips. "It seems the Lord must truly be with me today," he murmured, his voice horrifyingly calm.Behind us, muffled thuds and harsh grunts echoed from inside the elevator shaft as the elevator sped up toward the top floors as if someone was struggling violently inside.Marcus took a subtle half step back, shifting his weight toward the staircase entrance.Without a trace of rush or hesitation, Mr. Moretti reached inside his dark coat and pulled out a slick black handgun. He held it with practiced ease."I cannot believe my son turned into such an utter idiot for you," Mr. Moretti said, staring directly into my eyes. "A cheap, pathetic gold
~ Lorenzo ~The elevator shuddered as it descended, the silence inside the steel box heavier than a tombstone."What do you think you are doing, Lorenzo?" my father asked, his voice low, flat, and chillingly calm."You cannot go up there," I said, my heart hammering against my ribs as I kept my back pressed against the control panel. "You cannot hurt her"My father tilted his head, his cold eyes searching my face with deep disappointment. "Look at you. You are acting like a fool over a girl who discarded you years ago.""I need her for a plan," I lied quickly, my mind racing to find any story he might buy. "I am holding her as collateral against someone. I cannot afford to let you kill her yet.""Collateral?" He let out a harsh, dry laugh that lacked any humor. "The video online shows you with your hands all over her. Is that how you treat collateral?"The elevator chimed, the doors sliding open to reveal the dimly lit concrete expanse of the basement."Step out into the hall, sir," I
~ Lorenzo ~ I watched in pure horror through the tablet screen as the sleek black sedan settled into the garage. The driver door opened, and my father's personal guard stepped out, straightening his suit jacket before opening the rear passenger door. My father stepped down from the car slowly. He smoothed his coat, adjusting his dark tie with a heavy, deliberate calm, and began to make his way toward the villa entrance. A sharp, violent throbbing pounded against my temples, doubling in pain until my vision blurred for a split second. I turned away from the screen, looking over at Arthur and Camila. They had both sat back down at the long dining table, casually picking up their silver forks as if nothing had happened. I turned to my left. "Marcus. Take Kate back to the lounge right now. Lock the door and stay with her. You do not come down or leave her side for any reason. Do you understand me?" "Got it, Don Moretti," Marcus whispered, taking Kate by the elbow and ushering her to
~ Lorenzo ~Pure terror locked my throat as Arthur pointed the silver barrel straight at Kate. I knew Arthur. I knew he was crazy enough to pull the trigger right here in my dining room, and he would do it simply because he felt like it.I hated myself. I regretted bringing Kate down those stairs. I had genuinely believed this whole circus would be over soon. Dread filled every inch of my body as Arthur let out a wet, raspy laugh, casually throwing my threats back in my face and claiming the final decision belonged to my father.Arthur pulled the trigger.I heard Kate gasps as she stepped backI froze, my entire world tilting on its axis, a very painful headache, filling my scalpThe whole room fell into a cold dead silence.Nothing happened.No blood, no screaming, no heavy thuds of Kate's body dropping on the marble floors. Nothing A sharp metallic click echoed off the walls. Relief washed over me so fast I felt lightheaded. The gun was empty."Shit" I heard Arthur cursed under his
Camila’s face turned into a hard, stone mask. The momentary shock on her features morphed into pure annoyance as she glared across the table at her husband."I had nothing to do with this, Lorenzo!" Camila snapped, slamming the tablet screen side down onto the tablecloth. "Stop looking at me like I am a criminal!""Do not lie to me!" Lorenzo roared, his hands clenching into tight fists at his sides.Marcus stepped forward, his eyes darting nervously toward me before returning to Lorenzo. "Don Moretti, with this article spreading across the blogs, our entire reputation is at stake. The media is going to feast on her if she ever sets foot outside this villa. Worse, your father might have already seen the headlines. Remember he had sworn he would kill Kate himself the second he lays eyes on her."Cold terror settled deep into my stomach. I backed away half a step, my knees shaking beneath my trousers. What headline? What could possibly be on that tablet? I had only seen Lorenzo’s father
Lorenzo led them deeper into the main living area, his tall frame cutting through the grand entryway. The heavy double doors swung shut behind them with a muffled thud, cutting off the rest of their conversation. I remained crouched behind the iron railing for several minutes, my heart thumping wildly against my ribs, but only silence drifted up from the lower level. I finally retreated to the lounge, sitting on the edge of the large bed with my hands folded tightly in my lap.An hour dragged by before the private elevator chimed.The doors slid open, and Lorenzo stepped out. His face was a hard, rigid mask, his jaw locked tight as he looked toward me."Come down," he said flatly.A wave of dread washed over me. I stood up on unsteady legs, my palms cold and damp. "Lorenzo... what is happening?""Just follow me," he replied, turning back toward the elevator without waiting for an answer.I followed him downstairs, my pulse racing as we walked toward the grand dining room. The room was







