Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 291 - Chapitre 300

RomeoPlanning a wedding for the head of the Galante syndicate required less romance and significantly more tactical coordination than the average civilian affair.I sat at the massive marble island in Dante’s glass-walled penthouse, a stylus in my hand and three separate tablets spread out before me. The June afternoon sunlight cut sharply through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the endless grids of seating arrangements, catering schedules, and transport logistics.Exactly one week from today, Dante and Isabella were getting married.And as the best man, the burden of ensuring the entire operation executed without a single security breach or logistical hitch fell squarely on my shoulders.“The florist needs the final clearance for the van drivers by five today,” I noted, tapping a stylus against the glass screen. “I’ve already forwarded their background checks to the security terminal.”Dante didn’t look up from his own tablet. He simply grunted, scrolling through a line o

IreneI stepped in cautiously, my eyes immediately scanning the interior out of habit. The elevator was designed like everything else in this building.Expensive, seamless, and deliberately intimidating in its restraint. Dark marble flooring, brushed gold accents, mirrored walls that reflected every angle of movement. Hidden speakers played something soft and instrumental, a smooth jazz piece that felt almost mocking in its calmness given the speed we were about to travel.The doors closed behind us without a sound.Then the elevator surged upward.The acceleration was sharp enough that my ears popped, the sensation sudden and disorienting despite the luxury surrounding it. The city outside blurred into streaks of light through the glass panel as we shot upward through the tower.Julian leaned casually against the opposite wall, one hand in his pocket, completely at ease in a way that suggested he either trusted this system entirely or had never had a reason not to.I, on the other ha

IreneI didn’t answer immediately.Outside, Central Park looked muted under the grey sky. The city felt far away from this height, almost unreal. It made everything inside this room feel sharper, more contained.“Julian,” I said finally, “you invited me here for business. Not commentary.”He smiled slightly, like I had confirmed something he already suspected.“Fair enough,” he said. “Then I’ll keep it simple.”He leaned lightly against the edge of the sofa, still careful not to invade space that wasn’t offered.“You carry yourself like someone who is always waiting for impact,” he said. “Even in a room like this. Even when nothing is happening.”I frowned slightly.“That’s what security work does to you.”“No,” he said gently. “That’s what living inside constant tension does to you.”I didn’t like that answer.Because it was too close to true.The phone buzzed again.This time it wasn’t a call.A message.I didn’t pick it up right away. I already knew what it would feel like before I

IreneThe air in the bridal suite smelled of white roses, expensive hairspray, and the faint, metallic hum of adrenaline.Isabella stood in the center of the room, an absolute vision in ivory silk and vintage lace. A small army of stylists hovered around her, adjusting the sweeping train of her gown and pinning the veil into her dark hair.I stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, my back to the chaos, checking the locking mechanisms for the third time. My earpiece buzzed with a steady stream of check-ins from the perimeter guards.“South gate secure,” a voice crackled in my ear.“Copy that, South,” I murmured, tapping the comms unit.“Irene?” Isabella’s voice rose above the nervous chatter of her bridesmaids.I turned around. She was looking at me through the reflection of the massive vanity mirror, her dark eyes wide with a sudden, entirely human panic. Dante Galante’s bride was fearless when facing down syndicate bosses, but the sheer weight of the day was finally pressing down on h

RomeoI was standing at the bar, my fingers wrapped loosely around the crystal glass, letting the ambient noise of my brother’s wedding wash over me. I was exhausted. Not the physical fatigue of a twelve-hour operation, but a deeper, structural exhaustion that had settled into my bones over the last week.I had played my part perfectly. Delivered the rings. Given the toast. Smiled for the cameras. Kept my eyes off Irene.Mostly.I could feel her across the courtyard anyway. It was an involuntary radar I couldn’t shut off, no matter how much discipline I applied to it. She was sitting with Isabella, a glass of wine in her hand, looking devastatingly beautiful in that dark dress. Every time I caught a glimpse of her laughing tonight, something in my chest shifted. It was subtle at first, then sharper, like a pressure building behind bone.I lifted the glass to my mouth, letting the burn ground me.And then a slow collapse of sound from the grand archway outward, as if the courtyard