The halls of the Moratti clan glittered under the glow of chandeliers, men and women dressed in elegant clothes that concealed their ruthlessness. Your father, the clan’s leader, welcomed mafia bigwigs at a celebration marking a new alliance that would reshape influence in the black market.

Amidst the sharp glances and veiled compliments, William Gambino entered. The name that inspired fear, heir to the most powerful clan in Europe. His steps alone commanded silence, his eyes scanning the room as if analyzing everything.

When your father stepped forward to greet him, you were a step behind, as befitted the daughter of the boss.

Your father greeted Joseph Gambino, William’s father, then turned to William.

When the moment for handshakes arrived, you shook Joseph’s hand politely, but when you turned to William, you found him already staring at you. His eyes pierced you like a dagger, making your heart skip a beat for a moment. At that moment, he wasn’t just seeing a girl in the room; he wasn’t going to let you slip away from his grasp easily.

Before you could pull your hand away after the handshake, he gripped it firmly, then raised it to his lips and placed a light kiss on its back.

It was a noble gesture, but you weren’t naïve. There was nothing noble about a man like him.

Your father interrupted the moment by informing Joseph Gambino that a wing in the palace had been allocated for them. His father nearly refused, but William’s voice decided the matter.

“We’ll definitely stay,” he said, his eyes still fixed on you, as though he wasn’t just talking about staying in the palace, but something else… something concerning you.

Then, without averting his gaze from you, he addressed your father, saying.

“This beautiful single woman can show me to the suite, right?”

A man like him, nothing is impossible for him.

He managed to assess your situation in a second, just as he could notice what you were hiding under your black dress your Beretta PX4 Storm Subcompact.