LOGINLuca'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 stood motionless in the study.For several seconds, he simply stared toward the open doorway.Isabella was outside.Luca had her.And every instinct in his body was screaming at him to storm through the gates and tear Luca apart with his bare hands.But he couldn't.Not yet.He needed to know exactly what had happened.How had Isabella gotten there?How had Luca found her?And why hadn't anyone at the safe house stopped her?Or even informed him?Don Lorenzo suddenly reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.His fingers moved quickly across the screen.He dialed the number of the safe house.The call rang once.Twice.Three times.Finally, someone answered."Good morning, Don?"Don Lorenzo immediately recognized the voice of one of the guards."Where is Isabella?"Silence.Don Lorenzo's eyes narrowed."I asked you a question."The guard swallowed."Don...""Put Isabella on the phone."Another silence.Don Lorenzo's grip tightened around the phone."Now.""D
Don Lorenzo Valenti stood by the wide glass window of his study, the city stretching endlessly before him. The early morning light filtered through the curtains, but it did nothing to soften the cold, commanding aura that surrounded him.In his hand was a glass of whiskey.While most men reached fo
Don Lorenzo Valenti stepped further into the room, his presence filling every corner of the space.The gun in his hand remained steady, aimed directly at the young woman standing before him, half-dressed, trembling… yet strangely still.“Please… don’t shoot me,” Isabella pleaded, her voice shaking.
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







