Chapter 2

Before she could let out a scream, a cold hand slapped over her lips, shutting her. Her frantic eyes were widely opened and the only thing that could rush through her mind in her panicked state was this is it — this is how I die.

The small room was dim, lit only by the faint glow seeping under the door from the hallway. She could smell expensive cologne — dark, smoky, with a sharp bite of leather and something metallic underneath, like gun oil or blood. She could tell because she grew up around men in the mafia. The hand over her mouth was large, calloused, but somehow gentle.

She thrashed once, instinct more than thought, but he pressed closer, chest to her back, his breath warm against her ear. “Shhh, principessa,” a low voice murmured, sending shivers down her spine “Scream and you’ll draw every guard in this place. And I promise you… I’m faster than they are.”

The accent was unmistakably Italian — rich and undoubtedly dangerous. Not likr the polished American lilt of Alex Valenti. This was darker, hungrier, the kind of voice that commands attention at every single word.

Elara’s heart slammed so hard she thought it would crack a rib. She tried to twist, to see his face, but he held her effortlessly, his free hand sliding to her waist , not groping, but firm enough to make her stay in place.

“I am curious...,” he started, his deep voice rumbling against her body " What is a lamb like you doing in the midst of wolves?".

The tension in her shoulders eased slightly when she realized he might not know who she was.

But his next words made every muscle in her body lock tight again.

“I wonder what Heinrich was thinking, parading his daughter in front of every predator in Vienna tonight. Especially me". The last sentence came out as a low grunt but her mind paid no attention to it.

All she could see in her head , was her father's signature disappointed eyes when he looked at her. And the slight shaking of his head whenever she got caught doing anything wrong.

He'd definitely be disappointed if he saw this. If he saw how helpless she was to a single man, despite all the trainings she was subjected to, as a child.

With only that thought in her head, Elara drove her elbow back into his stomach with all the force her she could muster.

He grunted , clearly taken off guard and his grip loosened for the barest second.

She spun, shoving hard against his chest, and bolted for the door.

Her hand was on the knob when she risked one glance back.

He was straightening, one hand pressed to his abdomen and in that split second when the light from the hallway reflected into the room, she saw his face clearly.

Luscious dark wooven hair sat atop his forehead , almost reaching his dark dark, hooded eyes. His jaw was shadowed with beards that matched the colour and richness of his hair. A faint scar sliced through one of his eyebrow, almost extending to his left eyes. Her eyes trailed down his face to meet his red lips.

He looked oddly familiar and she could've swear she've seen him somewhere before.

“Run, principessa,” he said softly, voice carrying across the small space like a promise. “I like the chase.”

If she was frozen before, his words sure did eletronize her because she was out of the door that second, her heart thumping as she found her way back to the hallway, the issue about the wine on her dress completely forgotten.

_____

2 hours before the gala

Lorenzo Mozetti

" The Marios have delivered their share in Mexico. The gang generally have no complain".

"Of course, they don't". Smoke puffed out of Lorenzo's lips as his eyes bored into his private club stage, where one of the girls was putting on a show for him. Her movement against the pole was enough to put him in the mood but tonight, he wasn't feeling it.

He waved his hand for his right hand man to continue.

Carl paused" The shipments will be delayed for a week extra". He warily watched for his boss reaction but the man just tapped his finger on his wine glass bottle

" And?".

" The Vienna gala will start in..." Carl paused, raising his hand to check the silver watch on his wrist " 20 minute".

He stared blankly at the stage, though his mind was no where there. " I'm not going". he drowned his whisky down in one go before gesturing to the girl on the stage.

" Heinrich will be attending".

" More reason I shouldn't be there. I can't promise not to put a bullet through his fucking brain". His dropped the cigarette butt on the plate, before guiding the red head into climbing his laps.

" His daughter will be there".

He tilted his head a small fraction" His daughter?". . " How come I am not aware of a daughter".

" Voss hid her well. It's only recently that rumors about her start emerging ".

Lorenzo paused for a while, his hand tapping on the desk before coming to a conclusion." Prepare the car. We leave in 10". He waved the redhead away, in which she replied with a pout but knew not to disobey him.