21 - Emilia

As the night approached, a sense of anticipation and dread weighed heavily on me. The intel Alexius received had confirmed Ivan’s impending attack on the penthouse. The shadows of my past loomed large, threatening to engulf me as memories of my life as my brother's enforcer resurfaced.

Amaretto Vittori used to be a feared name. Being a woman never hindered me, in fact, it made me feel stronger because no one expects a woman to win a face-off with three men. I wanted to prove myself so badly back then, wanted to show them I am no mafia princess ready to be subservient to a man or marriage.

How the times have changed. Now that’s all I want with the man laying in the bedroom waiting for me.

I stand by the window, gazing out at the city below, trying to steady my nerves. The lights from the skyscrapers glitter like stars, but in my heart, anxiety threatens to suffocate me. I had spent years following orders, committing acts of violence, and shutting out emotions. It had been a life define