Two

Don Lorenzo Valenti, also known as The Butcher, downed his fifth glass of whiskey, the burn doing nothing to calm the storm raging inside him.

Anger simmered beneath his composed exterior.

This trip was supposed to be a vacation, a brief escape from the chaos of his world.

But men like him didn’t escape chaos.

They ruled it.

As the most feared Mafia Lord in the city, Lorenzo commanded power, respect… and endless enemies.

And tonight, something didn’t feel right.

The bathroom door opened, and two women stepped out. Strippers he had brought in the night before. Their laughter filled the room as they approached him, their movements slow and suggestive.

“Leave.”

His voice was cold. Final.

They paused mid-step.

“But we thought we were staying tonight too,” one of them said, confusion in her tone.

“Don’t you want us to take care of you before you leave?” the other added, stepping closer.

Lorenzo's eyes darkened.

“I said—get out.”

This time, his voice carried a dangerous edge.

Fear flashed across their faces. Without another word, they scrambled for their clothes and rushed out of the room.

The door hadn’t fully closed before Luca walked in.

Lorenzo's most trusted right-hand man.

“Pack my bags,” Lorenzo ordered without looking at him. “We leave tonight.”

Luca nodded once. No questions.

He had served Lorenzo long enough to understand one simple rule...

Never question the Don.

Moments later, another man entered.

“Don, you sent for me,” Matteo said.

Lorenzo's gaze finally lifted.

“Prepare the car. And tell Enzo to book our flight for tonight.”

Matteo hesitated. Just for a second.

“I thought we were leaving tomorrow...”

The words had barely left his mouth when Lorenzo moved.

In one swift motion, he pulled out his gun and pointed it straight at Matteo.

Silence fell over the room.

“You dare question me?” Lorenzo's voice was low… deadly.

Matteo’s face drained of color. “N-no, Don—”

“Tell me,” Lorenzo continued, stepping closer, his eyes locked on him, “is there a reason you want me to stay?”

Matteo shook his head quickly.

“Liar.”

The gunshot echoed through the room.

Matteo screamed as the bullet tore into his leg, dropping him to the ground.

Men rushed in at the sound, but froze when they saw Don Lorenzo standing over him.

No one moved.

No one interfered.

Don Lorenzo crouched slightly, his gun still aimed.

“How much?” he asked coldly. “How much were you paid to betray me?”

Matteo’s eyes widened in horror.

How did he know?

How did he find out about the rival Mafia family… about the deal… about the plan to attack tomorrow?

Don Lorenzo smirked faintly.

“There is nothing in this world that stays hidden from me for long,” he said. “I have eyes everywhere.”

“Please… have mercy…” Matteo begged, his voice trembling.

Lorenzo's expression didn’t change.

“I hate snakes.”

He raised the gun.

“And I don’t keep them around me.”

The second shot was final.

Matteo’s body went still.

Don Lorenzo stood, adjusting his sleeve like nothing had happened.

“Enzo,” he said calmly, “clean this up.”

He turned toward the door.

“We leave tonight. Vacation is over.”

---

Later that night, Isabella Lombardi stood outside the grand gates of the Valenti mansion, her heart racing.

She tightened her grip on her bag.

This was it.

Following Valeria's advice, she had come unannounced, ready to surprise Alessandro.

The guards recognized her immediately and allowed her in without question.

Inside, the mansion was just as breathtaking as she remembered.

Luxury at every corner.

This was Alessandro's world.

A world she was still trying to fit into.

She walked past the staff, heading straight for his bedroom. She had been here before, for school parties, for lunch, but tonight felt… different.

Important.

Her heart pounded as she reached his door.

She knocked softly.

No response.

“Sir Alessandro isn’t home yet,” one of the staff informed her before walking away.

Isabella hesitated… then pushed the door open.

The room was massive. Elegant. Perfect.

A soft smile touched her lips.

Tonight would be special.

Quickly, she pulled out her phone and texted Valeria.

Isabella: Alessandro isn’t home yet.

The reply came instantly.

Valeria: That’s perfect. He’ll find you waiting for him in something sexy.

Isabella's cheeks flushed.

Isabella: When should I take the drink?

Valeria: After your shower. Then send him a video. Trust me.

Isabella took a deep breath.

“Okay…” she whispered to herself.

She followed the plan.

After showering, she slipped into the delicate lingerie Valeria had chosen for her. It felt unfamiliar… bold… but she wanted tonight to be perfect.

Then she picked up the small bottle.

Without overthinking, she drank it in one gulp.

Moments later, she picked up her phone and recorded a short video.

“Hi, Alex… guess where I am?”

She sent it.

But almost immediately, something felt… off.

A strange warmth spread through her body.

Her head felt light.

Her vision blurred slightly.

She steadied herself against the bed.

“Why do I feel like this…?” she whispered.

A knock on the door made her jump.

Her heart skipped.

“Alex…”

She hurried toward the door, excitement and nervousness mixing within her.

But the moment she opened it...

Everything froze.

Standing there was not Alessandro...

It was a man she had never seen before.

Tall. Commanding. Dangerously handsome.

And his eyes…

Cold. Furious.

Before she could react...

He raised a gun and pointed it directly at her.

“Who the hell are you?”

Isabella gasped, fear crashing over her.

And in that moment, she realized…

Something had gone terribly wrong.