Marked
969 Words
By the time he finally pulled into his home, night had already settled in. The iron gates opened silently, and he drove straight to the main house, parking carelessly before stepping out.
Inside, the house was too quiet. Too empty.
He poured himself a drink.
His phone buzzed on the table.
It was his father.
Alessandro stared at the screen for a long moment before answering.
“What were you doing at the hospital with that girl from the club?” Don De Luca demanded without greeting.
“I ran into her,” Alessandro replied calmly. “Nothing more.”
A sharp laugh came through the line.” Don’t insult my intelligence. You’re getting involved.”
“There is nothing between us,” Alessandro said, his jaw tightening.
“She is beneath you,” his father snapped. “People like her bring trouble. You know the consequences of associating with the wrong kind of person.”
Silence stretched.
“Stay away from her,” his father continued coldly. “Before anyone gets hurt.”
Then, as if remembering something important, he added, “And don’t you forget your meeting with the envoy tonight. You’re already late.”
The line went dead.
Alessandro lowered the phone slowly.
For the first time in years, fear crept into his chest—not for himself, but for Elena.
He grabbed his car keys and left immediately.
Meanwhile, Elena pulled herself together and headed for the club.
When she arrived, Noah was behind the bar, wiping down the counter. He looked up and frowned slightly.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
She nodded. “I’m fine.”
He didn’t look convinced, but he let it go.
Then his eyes dropped to her hand. “Wait… I thought you lost your phone.”
Elena glanced at her hand briefly. “Oh, I found it.”
“Where?” he asked.
She shrugged, deliberately casual. “Someone picked it up at the hospital and gave it back to me today.”
It was all a lie.
Noah studied her for a second longer and then nodded. “Alright."
They went about their duties for the night, but Elena couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened earlier at the parking lot.
As she worked, the thought of Alessandro consumed her; she tried all she could to get distracted but failed.
She hated him.
Or at least she told herself she did.
Then a shadow fell across Elena.
She looked up.
Lorenzo De Luca stood before her, his expression unreadable.
“Don De Luca wants to see you,” he said.
The words sent a cold wave through her body. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides as she glanced instinctively toward the VIP lounge. Alessandro wasn’t there, she knew that, and somehow that made everything worse.
Noah noticed them from the bar. The moment their eyes met, concern flared on his face. He took a step forward.
“Is there a problem?” he asked cautiously.
Lorenzo’s gaze flicked to him, sharp and dismissive. “This doesn’t concern you.”
Elena forced herself to speak. “It's okay, Noah.”
It wasn’t, and they both knew it. But Noah hesitated and nodded slowly, clearly torn, as Lorenzo guided her away.
The VIP lounge felt different without Alessandro’s presence.
Don De Luca sat at the center, his posture rigid, his cane resting against his leg. His eyes, penetrating, lifted to Elena the moment she stepped in.
Rafael and Lorenzo stood on either side of him. Silent and watchful.
“Come close,” Don De Luca said.
Elena obeyed.
“So,” he continued calmly, “You’re the girl from the basement.”
“Yes, sir, she replied, her voice trembling despite her effort to stay composed.
“Looks like you have a habit of being where you don’t belong,” he said. “Listening to things that are not meant for you.”
“I didn’t tell anyone,” Elena said quickly.”I swear, I haven’t said a word.”
Don De Luca studied her for a long moment, his fingers tightening slightly around the handle of his cane.
“You look afraid,” he said. “That’s good. Fear keeps people obedient.”
Her breath caught.
Rafael scoffed softly. “She saw enough to get herself killed.”
Elena’s knee nearly buckled.
Don De Luca raised a hand, silencing him. His gaze never left her.
“Whether you live or die,” he said evenly, “depends on one thing.”
She swallowed. “What…what thing?”
“Your silence.”
“I’ll be silent,” she said immediately. “I promise, I don’t want any trouble.”
A pause.
Then Don De Luca leaned back slightly. “You work here. If you disappear,questions will be asked. My son has already caused enough attention.”
The way he said my son carried disappointment…and something darker
He turned to Lorenzo. “Keep an eye on her.”
Lorenzo nodded once. Don De Luca looked back at Elena. “If I hear even a whisper of what you saw…” he didn’t finish the sentence.
He didn’t need to.
“Leave,” he said
Elena didn’t wait to be told twice.
She walked out of the VIP lounge on shaking legs, her chest tight, her ears ringing. The moment she reached the bar, Noah was there.
“What happened?” he asked urgently.
She forced a weak smile. “Nothing. I’m fine.
The last thing she wants is to drag Noah into her mess.
From across the room, Lorenzo watched her carefully.
And far away, at a meeting filled with dangerous men and blood-stained deals, Alessandro De Luca had no idea that while he was securing alliances…
His father had just marked Elena as a liability.
- Writer
