LOGINInside the estate, the physician worked frantically on Don Rossi.His hands moved quickly as he examined the wound in Don Rossi's abdomen, trying everything within his power to stop the bleeding."More gauze!"One of the assistants immediately handed it to him.The physician pressed it firmly against the wound.But the blood kept coming.Don Rossi's breathing had become shallow.His face was frighteningly pale.His body had already lost too much blood."Come on..." the physician muttered."Stay with me."He tried to stabilize him, but even he knew the situation was becoming hopeless.Don Lorenzo stood on the other side of the room, watching silently.His arms were folded across his chest, but his eyes never left the physician.Don Rossi's eyes slowly opened.He turned his head, and his gaze found Lorenzo.For several seconds, the two men simply looked at each other.There was no anger in Don Rossi's eyes anymore.No pride.No resentment.Only exhaustion.And regret."Lorenzo..."His v
Luca's eyes burned with fury.For several seconds, he simply stared at Don Rossi.He couldn't believe what had just happened.After everything they had planned.After everything they had sacrificed.After entering the Rossi estate together...Don Rossi had betrayed him.Well, that wasn't totally a surprise to him.The Rossis are known to be betrayers.Never to be trusted.This was clearly on him."You..."Luca's voice trembled with rage."You betrayed me."Don Rossi stood his ground.His chest rose and fell heavily."Our deal was over when you shot my daughter."Luca's hand suddenly moved toward his gun.Don Rossi's eyes widened."Luca—"BANG!The gunshot exploded across the courtyard.Don Rossi jerked backward.A look of disbelief crossed his face.Then his hand flew to his abdomen.Blood immediately began spreading across his shirt."Ah..."His knees buckled.He collapsed heavily onto the ground."Oh my god!"Isabella screamed.Don Lorenzo's expression changed instantly."Isabella!"
Luca's smile widened as he looked at Don Lorenzo.He could see the fury burning behind the Don's eyes.But beneath that fury, there was something else.Fear.Not fear for himself.Fear for Isabella.And Luca knew it.That was exactly what made him feel powerful again.He tightened his arm around Isabella, keeping the gun pressed against her."Here's what is going to happen."Don Lorenzo's eyes narrowed."I'm listening."Luca glanced at Don Rossi, then back at Don Lorenzo."You are going to call a meeting."Don Lorenzo's expression remained cold."A meeting with who?""With all the Mafia Dons in this city."A brief silence followed.Luca continued."They're going to hear you announce that you're stepping down."Don Lorenzo stared at him."And who exactly takes my place?"Luca smiled."Me."Isabella's heart sank.Don Lorenzo didn't even blink."You?""Yes."Luca's confidence was almost insulting."You will stand before them and announce that you are giving up the Valenti empire."Then h
Don Lorenzo Valenti stared at Luca with barely contained fury.Every muscle in his body was tense.He wanted nothing more than to put a bullet between Luca's eyes.But he couldn't.Not while Luca's gun remained pressed against Aurelia.One wrong move...One careless decision...And Luca could pull the trigger.Don Lorenzo couldn't take that risk.Not with Isabella.Not now.He slowly turned his head toward two of his guards."Bring Rossi out."The guards exchanged a brief glance before nodding."Yes, Don."They hurried back through the gates.Luca watched them disappear.His expression carried a smug confidence.Despite losing the battle last night, Don Lorenzo wasn't the one giving orders.He was.And he loved every second of it.Don Lorenzo looked back at him."Luca.""What?""Let Isabella go."Luca laughed."You've said that already, but that's not happening.""I'm offering you a way out."Luca raised an eyebrow.Don Lorenzo continued."Release Isabella.""And I'll let you leave."
Isabella could barely breathe.Luca's gun remained pressed against the side of her neck as she stared across the distance at Don Lorenzo.For the first time since she had escaped the safe house, she was finally looking at the man she had risked everything to find.Don Lorenzo Valenti.He was alive.He was standing only a few feet away from her.But the relief she had expected never came, because her coming here had created the nightmare she was trying to avert.So instead, guilt consumed her."I'm sorry."The words escaped her trembling lips.Don Lorenzo's expression softened immediately."Isabella...""I'm sorry," she repeated, tears filling her eyes. "Please forgive me."Don Lorenzo took a small step forward.Luca immediately tightened his grip on her."Don't."Don Lorenzo stopped.His eyes remained fixed on Isabella."Why did you leave the safe house?"Isabella lowered her gaze.She couldn't tell him.Not here.Not with Luca standing behind her with a gun pressed against her neck.
Don Lorenzo Valenti looked toward the entrance quietly, as he thought deeply on what Luca's plan could be.For a few seconds, none of them said anything.Don Rossi watched him carefully.Don Lorenzo's mind was racing.Luca was using Isabella as a shield.He wanted Don Lorenzo angry.He wanted him emotional.He wanted him to make a mistake.But Don Lorenzo Valenti had survived too many wars to allow rage to dictate his actions.Still, Isabella was outside.And every second she remained beside Luca increased the danger.Don Lorenzo slowly reached for his weapon.Don Rossi spoke."Lorenzo."Don Lorenzo stopped."You can't let him provoke you."Don Lorenzo looked at him."Suddenly, Silivio Rossi is on my side."Don Rossi sighed."You saved my daughter, I owe you my life.""It's yours for the taking."Don Lorenzo nodded.His eyes returned to the doors.He could almost imagine Isabella standing outside.Frightened.Confused.Wondering why he hadn't come to her yet.Don Lorenzo's chest tight
Don Lorenzo Valenti, also known as The Butcher, downed his fifth glass of whiskey, the burn doing nothing to calm the storm raging inside him.Anger simmered beneath his composed exterior.This trip was supposed to be a vacation, a brief escape from the chaos of his world.But men like him didn’t e
Isabella Lombardi froze at the school entrance, her breath catching in her throat.Standing there, as if he had stepped straight out of a dream, was Alessandro Valenti—the most popular, most desired boy in school, holding a bouquet of fresh red roses.Waiting for her.Her heart skipped.Today was h
Isabella stood in front of her closet for what felt like the hundredth time, her fingers gliding over fabrics she barely recognized as hers.Silk. Satin. Velvet.Dresses that whispered confidence… boldness… attention.None of them felt like her.She pulled one out, a red bodycon dress, and held it
Don Lorenzo Valenti didn’t bother hiding his irritation when the door to his study opened again.His gaze lifted sharply—cold, unreadable.And there stood his son.Again.A scowl immediately formed on his face.“Shouldn’t you be in school?” Lorenzo asked, his voice edged with impatience.Alessandro







