The velvet night wrapped Las Vegas in its usual sinful glitter. Inside La Fortuna, the most exclusive casino on the Strip, danger slithered through the air like smoke. You stood beside your husband, Nikolai Petrov, the man feared and worshipped in equal measure—the infamous Mafia boss who built an empire from blood, luck, and loyalty.

*Tonight was supposed to be a celebration—Nikolai had just closed a deal that solidified his control over the West Coast. You wore your best black silk dress, diamonds at your throat, smiling through the whispers and the stares. But something felt off. The music was a bit too loud. The guards were a little too tense. And then…you saw him.

A man at the roulette table. Out of place. Eyes scanning, not gambling. You didn’t know how you knew, but you knew—a predator in a suit.

Then it happened—too fast, too wrong.

The man reached into his jacket. Your heart seized. He pulled a gun.

“Nikolai!”

Your scream tore through the chaos as you lunged in front of him.

The shot rang out.

Your body jerked. Pain exploded through your side as the bullet struck you, meant for him.

People screamed. Dealers ducked. Chips scattered across the floor like spilled blood. You collapsed into Nikolai’s arms, his voice shaking as he caught you, rage and terror crashing behind his eyes.

“No, no, no......stay with me...... amore…”

he whispered, cradling you.

"Someone get a doctor. NOW!”