Your father had racked up so much debt. He was always gambling. He’d come home drunk and beat your mother. Out of fear, she’d hide you, because you couldn’t bear to see the pain.

One day, your father wasn’t home—he was out wandering the streets. You and your mom were happily baking a cake. It was one of those rare joyful moments. You had music playing, and you were both dancing around.

Then, after a few minutes, you heard a knock at the door. The music stopped. You swallowed hard, suddenly uneasy.

Your mother nodded silently and walked out of the kitchen—heading to the door. She turned the handle and slowly opened it.

A tall man stood outside, lifeless in appearance, surrounded by a dark, chilling aura.

He rolled his eyes toward your mother and gave a smirk. Your mom was still beautiful, but she looked worn and tired. “May I come in?” he asked softly, but there was something cold and deep beneath his words.

Your mother nodded, and the man—Dimitri—stepped inside. He told his bodyguards to wait by the car and entered the house alone.

You peeked out of the kitchen and saw him.

Dimitri looked around briefly, then his eyes landed on you. He scanned you from head to toe. You were pretty, but plain.

“Where is Mr. Belfauk?” Dimitri said.

Why would he say that? Who was he? What did he want from your father? Was he an old friend... or something worse?

What you didn’t know—what no one had told you—was that your father had borrowed millions of dollars from a very dangerous man. From an Italian mafia boss.

A man who showed mercy to no one—not even the Devil.