The smallest hall in Dimitri's residence had been transformed into a solemn mourning room. The only sounds that broke the silence were the hushed whispers of a few bodyguards near the doorway.Decorated with flowers, from windows to the roof, the pleasant scent didn't match the atmosphere.At the head of the room, with her hands resting flat on a black with golden rimmed closed coffin, was a middle-aged woman; this woman was Enzo's mother.Her eyes were reddened, her lush black hair was a brushed mess, and while her fingers trembled on the surface of the death bed, where her son's picture stood, the rest of her body was motionless.Clad in a flowing black dress, her countenance appeared devoid of tears, yet her face bore the anguish of her heart like an open book.With an audible creak, the large doors swung open behind her. In response, she raised her chin, straightened her posture, and spat out, "I made it clear that I wanted to be left alone."When there was no response, she looked

LILY'S POV.He turned in the knob, letting me walk in, my hands wrapped around my shoulders, still chilled from what I had just witnessed.How did they all stay calm at the sight of a near murder? That man had a gun pointed at his son's face, and his finger had rested on the trigger, his eyes dead, ready to put a hole in Adler's head.And Adler had done nothing. I could hear the grin in his voice as he urged his father to do his worst; my heart was in my mouth, and my breath cut off as I eavesdropped.When the Boss had asked I be brought to put an end to Adler's disobedience, at that moment, I saw my life flash before my eyes. It didn't help that I traced out the worry in Salvatore's too.After he entered, he shut the door, twisting the lock, before turning to look at me, already seated on the bed."You shouldn't have seen that." His back rested against the door as if he, seeing my fear, had understood that I needed the space. "Don't let it scare you," For a Don, he was sensitive, H

I never saw relief wash over anyone's face the way it did Don Domenico's. His shoulders were relaxed as I continued to spill, even going as far as telling them what had happened days ago."He doesn't feel for me the way you think he does, Sir," I wished he'd stop staring at the pictures of me scattered across the room; I wanted he'd believe me and leave. "He wouldn't even engage in a conversation with me..."Domenico's eyes narrowed, "And do you want him to converse with you?"My voice was threatening to get lost again.Rune, who was behind Adler's father, widened his eyes at me, and I knew that sign he wanted me to say something, get myself out of it.But how? When I just put myself in it.Domenico bent down and picked the largest broken portion of glass from the floor.My throat went dryer; I felt so cold I couldn't feel my body; watching him stare at his reflection in the piece, he drew close to me. "All my life, I never expected this day to come, Lily."He stopped in front of me

AUTHOR'S POV (ADLER)One thing he detested was communication and expressing himself.Good thing he was in a position where only a glare could send his message across. And so far, it worked for him.But then, with her, it wasn't, not even the slightest bit; each time he tried, he did it wrong.And watching Priest get it right was frustrating. Easy to see that she had trusted him at a glance. Was that what attracted her? Good?If that, he certainly did have a long ride ahead of him, which involved the struggle not to glare at Priests back and seek help from his Consigliere.Wasn't he going to Low? He would worry about that later.For all he knew, Priest would never think that way towards Lily. Priest was a pure soul that got misguided and ended up in a place where he had to kill his guilt before he muttered prayers.He was being jealous for the wrong reason.His second hatred went towards the 'rats.' Goddamn tattletales, fucking informants, and if they were from the Russians, breaking

We seemed to have been the last to leave for the event, for when we went downstairs, there were just a few goons in sight.We arrived at the party hours later, and before we left the car, Adler instructed me to fix the mask over my face before he had me under his touch in the guise of being walked into the hall.As Adler led me into the hall, I adjusted the mask, the feathers tickling my skin. I could feel the curious gazes of the party attendees on us, their whispers filling the air. Walking beside Adler, I couldn't help but notice the shift in his demeanour. He carried himself with authority and confidence, his icy eyes surveying the room with a sense of control.So this was the other side of him, and he suddenly appeared taller, fiercer, and rigid.I could sense the tension within me, the weight of the situation sinking in. This was not just any party; it was a gathering of influential individuals, some of whom could be dangerous. The stakes were high, and I knew I had to be cautio