All Chapters of His Trophy His War: Chapter 31 - Chapter 33

Russo’s CounterstrikeThe ashtray overflowed.Russo sat alone in his penthouse study, the Milan skyline stretching beyond glass walls. Neon bled across his desk, illuminating half a dozen empty glasses. He hadn’t changed since the council meeting; his black coat still hung from his shoulders, his shirt collar unbuttoned, and the silk tie loosened and crooked.The photographs he’d used to corner Councillor Bianchi were scattered on the floor, trampled. Worthless now.Sofia stood by the bar, swirling a glass of red. She didn’t speak at first, just watched him smoke in silence. When she finally moved, her heels clicked sharply across the floor.“You lost,” she said simply.Russo’s gaze cut to her. “Not lost. Delayed.”“Bianchi chose her.” Sofia’s voice was edged with bitterness. “Livia. She walked in and—”Russo slammed his fist down, the glass rattling. “She humiliated me.” His voice dropped, cold and dangerous. “In front of a trembling rat I should have broken years ago.”Sofia sipped

The Gala SetupThe invitation looked innocent enough.Heavy cardstock, gold lettering, embossed seal of the Port Expansion Committee. “An Evening of Celebration. Il Palazzo, Friday. Formal attire.”Livia held it in her hand at the safehouse table, her expression unreadable. Alessandro stood across from her, jaw tight. Sergio leaned over her shoulder, snorting.“Celebration? More like an execution,” Sergio muttered.Carlo adjusted his glasses nervously. “They’re baiting you. The timing’s too convenient. Russo’s handprints are all over this.”Livia set the invitation down with care, as though it might burn her fingers. “If I don’t go, I look weak. Like I have something to hide.”Alessandro’s voice was low and firm. “If you go, you walk into Russo’s arena. He’ll have everything staged—photographers, councillors, maybe even the police. One misstep and he ruins you in front of half Milan.”She met his eyes, steady. “Which is why I have to go.”Clara scribbled furiously in her notebook, per