Chapter 1 – Five Words That Changed Everything
Chapter 1 – Five Words That Changed Everything
Elena couldn't answer.
She stared at the polished hardwood floor while her heartbeat pounded louder than the silence filling Luna Vero.
Vincent waited.
He never repeated himself.
"I..." she whispered. "It was nothing."
Vincent leaned back slightly.
"I don't like lies."
His voice remained calm, almost gentle, which somehow made it even more intimidating.
Slowly, Elena lifted her eyes.
"It was my ex."
The room became still.
No anger crossed Vincent's face.
No sympathy either.
Only calculation.
"Name."
"Mark Keller."
One of Vincent's security men quietly stepped out from the shadows.
He hadn't been gone after all.
Vincent never sat alone.
"Anthony."
"Yes, Boss."
"Find him."
Anthony nodded once before disappearing.
Elena immediately shook her head.
"No."
Vincent looked at her.
"No?"
"I don't want anyone hurt because of me."
His lips curved into the faintest smile.
"You think this is about you?"
She blinked.
"He assaulted one of my employees behind my restaurant."
Vincent stood.
"The moment he stepped into my alley, he made it my business."
Twenty minutes later...
Mark Keller sat inside Murphy's Bar celebrating with two friends.
He believed Elena had been too scared to call the police.
Like always.
The front door opened.
Four men entered wearing black suits.
Nobody reached for a drink.
Nobody smiled.
Anthony walked directly toward Mark.
"Mr. Keller?"
Mark frowned.
"Who's asking?"
Anthony placed an envelope on the table.
"Mr. DeLuca would like a word."
"I don't know any DeLuca."
"You do now."
Mark laughed.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Anthony sighed.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
Thirty seconds later...
Every man in the bar was lying on the floor except Anthony's crew.
Mark barely understood what happened before his face slammed against the pool table.
Anthony leaned close.
"You have exactly one opportunity."
"What... what does he want?"
Anthony smiled.
"He wants you alive."
Mark relaxed.
Then Anthony added,
"For now."
That same night...
Vincent drove Elena home himself.
She protested the entire ride.
"I can take the bus."
"No."
"I don't want special treatment."
"You already have it."
She looked confused.
"You work for me."
Chicago lights reflected across the windshield.
Vincent suddenly asked,
"Who is Noah?"
She froze.
"My nephew."
"The little boy waiting upstairs."
Her heart skipped.
"How do you know that?"
"I know everything about the people who work inside my restaurants."
She wasn't sure whether that answer comforted her...
or terrified her.
When they arrived, Noah peeked through the apartment window.
The boy hadn't smiled in nearly two years.
Yet the moment he saw Vincent...
he quietly pulled the curtain aside.
Watching.
Observing.
For the first time...
Someone besides Elena had captured Noah's attention.
Neither of them realized that across the street...
May you like
A black SUV sat with its headlights off.
Someone inside was taking photographs.
