With haste, Kate rushed to Ace’s side, crouching beside him in an attempt to stem the flow of blood from his gunshot wound. However, one of the gangsters, emboldened by Ace’s defeat, strode over to Kate. He seized her, holding her up and preventing her escape.“Release me, you bastard!” Kate exclaimed, spitting at the man's face and squirming in his grasp.“You bitch!” The man cursed, responding with a heavy slap that made her dizzy and caused blood to trickle from the corner of her mouth.Determined not to be taken away, Kate fought against the tight grip, biting down on the man's hand with such force that blood gushed out. His reflexive reaction was to let her go, yelping in pain. Enraged by her defiance, the man grabbed his gun and aimed at her. But before he could pull the trigger, he was shot dead on the spot by an unknown assailant.Looking up, Kate saw the towering figure of Lucas, his face calm but his emerald eyes gleaming with ruthless determination as he strode like a king
Away from Lucas's Villa, Wilson’s mansion loomed like a vigilant sentinel on the outskirts of the metropolis, its grandiose façade veiled in an aura of malice. In the parlor, seated at the dining table, Wilson partook in dinner with his daughter, Elizabeth, as they conversed about their earlier scheme that had been executed in the afternoon. Seated at the table, Elizabeth appeared delicate with her porcelain skin, her pale hands firmly grasping a fork as she savored a slice of steak from the plethora of dishes before her. She then gazed up at her father, uttering her thoughts."Daddy, do you believe our scheme was successful? Any word from those ruffians you dispatched?" Elizabeth inquired, her steak still in her mouth as she reached for a glass of milk.Wilson's brows furrowed as he regarded his daughter, answering, "I have yet to receive an update from them. It's peculiar that they have not reported to me yet, and I cannot shake this ominous feeling." A feeling of dread gnawed at h
The room remained tranquil, enveloped in the gentle embrace of the morning's radiance. Sunbeams, akin to gilded threads, weaved through half-closed draperies, casting intricate designs onto the glistening floor. Kate stirred, her hazel eyes fluttering open in a moment of disorientation. Memories of the previous day came flooding back — a chaotic symphony of gunshots, terror, and Lucas's unwavering intervention.She sensed a gaze upon her, causing her to turn her head abruptly, almost resulting in whiplash. And there he sat, the arrogant mafia boss, perched by her bedside, his emerald eyes fixated upon her with an inexplicable expression.As Kate scrambled to find the right words, her heart pounding, she managed to say, "Why... Why are you here?""Where else should I be? Mm." Lucas responded in a husky tone, the hint of amusement playing on his lips as he toyed with her long, blonde hair that cascaded down her back, his fingers carefully twirling it.At his words, Kate took a moment to
The dimly illuminated room exuded a pungent scent of cigars and hushed confidences. Within one of Romano's havens, Lucas Romano, the inscrutable scion of the Romano's clan, stood at the forefront of the extended mahogany table. His piercing gaze swept over the gathered mafia bosses, each one a viper adorned in tailored attire.They had come to pay their respects, but Lucas had other intentions. He was there to issue a warning, to showcase his ferocity among them and solidify their devotion to him."Gentlemen," Lucas began, his voice a deep growl that reverberated off the paneled walls. "We have assembled tonight not only for idle chit-chat, but to reaffirm our allegiance to the cosa nostra and its leader. After my father's demise, the throne was passed onto me, with a condition that hung over my head, which I have fulfilled as I now have a fiancée."The room echoed with a cacophony of overlapping voices as the lords whispered and shared their thoughts.Not one to waste any time, Lucas
As they zoomed through the urban landscape, Kate could barely focus on the sights. She sat next to her uncle Bob, who was behind the wheel. ‘I hate being stuck here.’ She thought bitterly and exhaled loudly. “Don’t look so glum, Kate.” Bob said with a gentle chuckle from the driver's seat. “You are going to enjoy this dinner party, It should be a nice change of pace. You have been working a little too much lately." “I don't mind it at all, Office life isn't that bad." “But wouldn't you want a little excitement in your life?" “Excitement isn't always a good thing, Uncle. My job might be boring, but at least it's secure." A sigh leaves Bob lips—-- "Fine! But try to give tonight a chance, for me please. I’ll even introduce you to Lucas Romano, He’s going to announce his fiancee at tonight's dinner, you know, that man is the heir to the Romano group, which makes him one of the most powerful business men in the country.” Kate scoffed, ‘Ah yes, a businessman? You mean a mafia bo
Kate exhaled after their departure. ‘So that was Lucas Romano? I didn't realize he was so handsome—- Such a shame about his personality, though. On the other hand, Ace seemed pretty nice. He's a looker too. If he wasn't involved with the mafia, I wouldn't mind talking to him more, but that would also mean seeing Mr. Unfriendly again.’ After her internal dialogue, she shakes her head and starts searching through the crowd again for her uncle. “Now, where could he have gone?" She said and continued pushing through the crowd. “Excuse me….. sorry.” She suddenly stopped in her tracks and turned around to look at the man she just pushed past. "Matteo?” She called out, uncertainly. The man turns to face her, and her heart leaps. ‘It really is him!’ "Kate?” The man called out, stunned. "It's been so long! I haven't seen you since graduation.” He rubs the back of his neck, flashing a soft, sheepish smile. "Sorry about that. I kept saying I’d get in touch, but I didn't want to bother
‘His—-What?!’ Kate was dumbfounded and screamed in her mind but Lucas ignored the petrified Kate and continued with his speech. “Like my father said before he passed on, I’ll need a queen by my side to properly lead the family. The empire I’ll soon inherit brings many duties and responsibilities—-- so I’m pleased to face them with someone I can truly rely on by my side.” Lucas looks back at Kate, his gaze warmer than usual. “A capable woman who has proven herself to me and won my love. Many challenges await us, but I know we can face them together." Kate stands next to him in a daze as he goes on about their relationship with charm and like a man in love. Yet, his commanding presence continues to dominate the atmosphere. ‘What the hell is going on?’ And why is he acting like a completely different person?!’ Applause breaks out after his speech, and with a dazzling smile on his handsome face, Lucas takes her hand again and leads her away. He brought her into an empty room just of
Kate widened her eyes to see Bob at the doorstep, and at that moment, She felt surreal to finally see her uncle whom she had been looking for. “Come in, you might help this go more smoothly." Lucas said to him and Bob stepped into the room and closed the door. “Well, Kate, this is more exciting than being back at the office, isn't it?" Kate's uncle said, with a grin, as If he helped his niece hit the jackpot! “You—-” At that moment, the pieces fell into place for Kate and she couldn't help the sourness that developed at the back of her throat. "This is why you insisted that I come here tonight. You are the one who recommended me for this scheme!” Kate asked, not believing her doubts and the truth in front of her at the moment. "That's right.” Bob said and nodded as he confirmed her deduction. And immediately, the tiny shred of hope Kate was hanging onto dropped like a fallen balloon. She couldn't help the feeling of being used, betrayed and hurt. Tears welled up in her hazel e