BUSINESS OR PLEASURE
1018 Words
The Ricci Estate – 11:45 PM
The scent of burning wood and aged whiskey filled Damien Ricci’s study. The grand estate was eerily quiet at this hour, the only sounds coming from the distant hum of cicadas beyond the glass-paneled windows.
Selene stood near the fireplace, her arms crossed over her chest. The glow of the flames cast flickering shadows along the deep mahogany walls, stretching her silhouette like something out of a dream—or a nightmare.
Damien sat behind his desk, his fingers rhythmically tapping against the glass surface. He studied her, his dark eyes unwavering, dissecting her every movement.
“You haven’t answered my question.” His voice was smooth but carried an edge sharp enough to cut through the silence.
Selene tilted her head, her lips curling slightly. “Which one?”
Adrian, who had been lounging on the leather couch, exhaled loudly. “Oh, I don’t know, Selene. Maybe the part where you conveniently forgot to mention that you used to work for the man who just tried to kill you.”
Selene’s expression didn’t waver. “I told you, it wasn’t by choice.”
Damien leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk. The dim lighting made the scar along his jawline more pronounced. “And yet, you became valuable enough that Lorenzo isn’t willing to let you go.”
Selene’s gaze flickered, but she didn’t look away. “I was his fixer. When things got complicated, I made them disappear. That’s all.”
“That’s all?” Adrian scoffed, pushing himself up. He walked over to the bar cart and poured himself a drink. “You don’t send twenty armed men for just a fixer.”
Damien’s silence was more dangerous than Adrian’s skepticism. He was watching, waiting—for the moment she gave herself away.
Selene inhaled slowly. “Lorenzo trusted me because I knew how to clean up his messes. I handled business. Negotiations. Sometimes… other things.”
Adrian raised a brow. “Other things?”
She didn’t answer.
Damien’s fingers curled against the desk. “And now he wants you back.”
Selene nodded. “Yes.”
Silence hung between them, thick and suffocating.
Damien exhaled sharply, leaning back in his chair. “So that leaves us with one question.” His voice dropped, dangerous. “Are you a liability or an asset?”
Selene met his gaze without flinching. “That depends.”
Adrian chuckled darkly. “On what?”
She stepped closer, placing her hands on the desk. “On whether you want to win this war or survive it.”
A tense silence filled the space. Then, Damien smirked.
“Welcome to the Ricci family, bella.”
---
The DeLuca Estate – Midnight
Lorenzo DeLuca stared at the fire in his study, the flames reflecting in the dark depths of his whiskey glass. The tension in the room was palpable, thick enough to choke on.
Across from him, Vincent Marchetti sat with his hands clasped together, his expression unreadable.
“She’s not coming back,” Vincent finally said.
Lorenzo’s jaw tightened. “She doesn’t have a choice.”
Vincent sighed, rubbing his temple. “She made her choice, Capo. And now she’s under Damien Ricci’s protection.”
Lorenzo’s grip on his glass tightened until the crystal threatened to crack. “Then we take her back.”
“And risk an all-out war?”
Lorenzo’s gaze snapped up, sharp and lethal. “The war has already begun.”
Vincent hesitated. “You’re sure she’s worth it?”
Lorenzo’s expression darkened. “Selene belongs to me.”
The finality in his voice left no room for argument.
Vincent exhaled, pushing himself up from the chair. “Then we better make sure Damien Ricci knows exactly what happens when someone takes what’s yours.”
Lorenzo smirked.
“Oh, he’ll know.”
---
The Black Crown – 2:00 AM
The Black Crown pulsed with life, a beacon of sin and secrecy in the heart of the city. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume, liquor, and the faint burn of cigarette smoke.
Selene sat in the VIP booth, her back pressed against the velvet cushions as she observed the room.
Adrian was beside her, his arm draped lazily over the back of the booth. His sharp blue eyes scanned the crowd, looking for threats, opportunities—both, probably.
Damien, however, was nowhere to be seen.
“You nervous?” Adrian asked, his voice just loud enough to be heard over the music.
Selene arched a brow. “Why would I be nervous?”
Adrian smirked. “Because you just put yourself between two of the most dangerous men in New York, and I don’t think either of them likes to share.”
Selene’s lips curled into a slow smile. “Who said I was meant to be shared?”
Adrian let out a low whistle, shaking his head. “You’re going to be fun.”
Before she could respond, her phone vibrated. She pulled it from her clutch and glanced at the screen.
Unknown Number.
Her pulse quickened.
She swiped to answer, bringing the phone to her ear.
“You’re making a mistake, cara mia.”
Selene’s stomach tightened.
“Lorenzo,” she said smoothly.
Adrian stiffened beside her.
A dark chuckle came through the speaker. “You always did sound so sweet when you said my name.”
Selene’s fingers curled around the phone. “If this is a threat, you’re going to have to do better.”
“No threats, bella,” Lorenzo murmured. “Just a reminder. Damien Ricci can’t protect you forever.”
She swallowed. “You should be more worried about what I’ll do to you if you come near me again.”
Lorenzo was silent for a moment, then he let out a soft sigh. “You were always such a fighter.”
The line went dead.
Selene lowered the phone, her pulse pounding in her ears.
Adrian studied her. “You okay?”
She met his gaze and smiled.
“Never better.”
But the war had just begun.
- Writer
