Chapter 3 - The Girl the Mafia Wanted
The entire Cinder Club changed within minutes.
The music stopped.
The lights dimmed.
Every entrance was locked.
Vivienne stood near the private office window, watching men in black suits move through the lounge like soldiers preparing for war.
She had seen fear before.
She had seen it in the eyes of debt collectors.
She had seen it in her father's old business partners.
But this was different.
These men weren't afraid of danger.
They were preparing to become it.
"Explain something to me."
Alessio turned.
Vivienne stood with her arms crossed.
"Why would the Grecos care about me?"
He studied her.
"Because your father didn't only steal information."
"What else?"
"He hid something."
She frowned.
"Money?"
"No."
"Documents?"
"No."
"Then what?"
Alessio walked toward the table and placed a small envelope in front of her.
"We found this in your father's apartment."
Vivienne stared at it.
"You searched my apartment?"
"Your father's."
She slowly opened the envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
Her.
At seventeen years old.
Standing beside her father outside a small restaurant.
Her hands trembled.
"What is this?"
"Look behind the picture."
She flipped it over.
There was a handwritten message.
Protect her. She doesn't know what she carries.
Vivienne's face went pale.
"What does that mean?"
Alessio didn't answer immediately.
That scared her more than anything.
"You know something."
"I know your father was trying to keep you away from a war he started."
"He disappeared because of this?"
"Most likely."
She looked at him.
"Is he dead?"
The question hung between them.
For the first time, Alessio looked away.
"I don't know."
That answer hurt more than a yes.
Vivienne closed her eyes.
Six months.
Six months of wondering.
Six months of hoping.
Six months of pretending she wasn't terrified.
Then a phone rang.
Nico answered.
His expression changed.
"Boss."
Alessio immediately noticed.
"What?"
Nico lowered his voice.
"The Grecos sent a message."
"Where?"
"Every television in the city."
Everyone looked toward the large screen mounted above the bar.
A news broadcast appeared.
A man in his fifties sat in front of the camera.
Victor Greco.
The most powerful enemy of the Marchetti family.
His smile was calm.
Too calm.
"Alessio Marchetti."
The entire room went silent.
"Return what belongs to my family."
A pause.
"Or the girl who helped you will discover how expensive loyalty can be."
Vivienne froze.
The screen went black.
Nobody moved.
Then Alessio spoke.
"Nobody touches her."
His voice was quiet.
But everyone heard the promise.
Nico nodded.
"Understood."
Vivienne looked at him.
"You can't fight an entire family because of me."
Alessio looked at her.
May you like
"Watch me."
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