Smoke Without Fire

Luca’s POVHe vanished.No blood. No body. No message.Umbraion was gone—but his shadow grew longer.We killed the man.But we didn’t kill the myth.Two days after the summit assault, the city cracked open.It started as whispers.Conspiracy posts. Obscure message boards.Then the edits came—reels of Umbraion speaking, his voice spliced over footage of burned neighborhoods and police raids. The captions read like scripture:“If they can kill me, they can silence you.”“We are the fire. They are the smoke.”“No masters. No mercy. Only freedom.”It caught fire faster than we could trace the source.Within a week, the words were scrawled across alley walls and subway tiles.Within two?They were chanted in the streets.I watched from the rooftop as the protest turned.It had been peaceful—at first. A gathering in front of the city hall steps. Candles. Chants. Umbraion’s symbol painted on cardboard signs.Then someone threw a bottle.Then someone fired a shot.Then the police pushed forw

Last Updated : 2025-05-06

Shadows and Sparks

The city pulsed with unrest, its heartbeat erratic and fevered. The collapse of the Ember Pact had left a vacuum, and chaos eagerly filled the void. Dante, ever the strategist, had sent me to exploit the fractures, to turn allies into adversaries and sow discord among the remnants.I found myself in the heart of the turmoil, navigating treacherous alliances and whispered conspiracies. It was during one of these clandestine meetings that I first encountered Mira.She was a courier, or so she claimed, delivering messages between factions too cautious to use digital means. Our paths crossed in a dimly lit tavern, the air thick with smoke and tension.“You’re Luca, right?” she asked, her voice a blend of curiosity and caution.I nodded, studying her. She was striking, with eyes that held secrets and a posture that suggested she was always ready to flee or fight.“I have something for you,” she said, slipping a folded note into my hand before disappearing into the crowd.The note contained

Last Updated : 2025-05-06

The Weight of Choices

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. I sat on the edge of the bed, my thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. The events of the previous night replayed in my mind—Mira’s unexpected presence, our unintended intimacy, and the ensuing guilt that gnawed at my conscience.I hadn’t planned for any of it. Our meeting was supposed to be a simple exchange of information, a step in Dante’s plan to exploit the Ember Pact’s weaknesses. But emotions had a way of derailing even the most meticulous strategies.A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could respond, Dante entered, his presence commanding as always.“You’re up early,” he remarked, his gaze assessing.“Couldn’t sleep,” I replied, avoiding his eyes.He approached, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Something’s bothering you.”I hesitated, the weight of my guilt pressing down on me. “I met with Mira last night.”His expression remained neutral, but I sensed the tension beneath th

Last Updated : 2025-05-07

Fractured Bonds

The night was quiet, yet sleep eluded me. The soft hum of the city outside my window contrasted sharply with the storm brewing within me. I sat on the edge of my bed, elbows resting on my knees, hands clasped tightly as if trying to hold myself together.Mira’s face lingered in my mind—the curve of her smile, the warmth of her gaze, the way her laughter eased my burdens. I had tried to dismiss these thoughts, to push them aside as mere distractions, but they persisted, growing stronger with each passing day.Dante’s presence had always been a constant in my life, a source of strength and stability. Our bond was forged through shared experiences, mutual respect, and a deep understanding of each other’s complexities. Yet, lately, a distance had begun to form, subtle but undeniable. Conversations felt strained, silences more prolonged. I couldn’t pinpoint when it had started, but I felt it—a growing chasm that neither of us acknowledged.I rose from the bed, pacing the room in an attempt

Last Updated : 2025-05-07

Shadows of Desire

The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a golden hue across the room. I stirred awake, the events of the previous night replaying vividly in my mind. Mira lay beside me, her breathing steady, a serene expression on her face. The intimacy we shared had been inevitable, a culmination of suppressed emotions and unspoken desires.I gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, my fingers lingering on her skin. The warmth of her presence was comforting, yet a pang of guilt gnawed at me. Dante’s face flashed in my mind, his unwavering trust and camaraderie. How would he react if he knew?Mira stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She offered a soft smile, her hand reaching out to touch mine.“Good morning,” she whispered. “Morning,” I replied, my voice hoarse.We lay in silence, the weight of our actions settling in.“Do you regret it?” she asked, her voice barely audible.I turned to face her, searching her eyes. “No,” I admitted. “But I worry about the consequences.”

Last Updated : 2025-05-07

All Chapters of Way Out: Owned by the Mafia Boss: Chapter 51 - Chapter 55

Smoke Without Fire

Shadows and Sparks

The Weight of Choices

Fractured Bonds

Shadows of Desire