Chapter Three: Treading Dangerous Waters
1346 Words
Elena's fingers hovered over the screen, rereading the message that had just come through.
"Meet me at Morretti Enterprises. 8 AM. Don’t be late."
No name. No unnecessary words. Just a time and place.
Her pulse quickened as she typed a response.
"I assume this means you’re finally ready to talk?"
The following morning she got prepared and got dressed remembering last night's conversation; "It means you have one shot. Don’t waste it."
A slow smirk tugged at her lips. Lorenzo Morretti, you’re finally letting me in.
She set her phone down and grabbed her bag. This was it. The moment she had been pushing for. But even as anticipation curled in her stomach, she knew better than to trust a man like him.
She needed to play this carefully.
---
The Tribunal Times – 7am
Sophia’s brows knitted together as Elena casually relayed the update.
“You’re joking.”
Elena shook her head. “I leave in an hour.”
Sophia groaned. “And you’re going. Of course, you’re going. You know, most people prefer their heads attached to their bodies.”
Elena chuckled. “Good thing I’m not most people.”
Mark, however, wasn’t as amused. His sharp gaze met Elena’s as he leaned against his desk.
“You know why I sent you after Morretti, right?” His voice was low, serious. “Not for some power play. Not for reckless heroics. We need proof that his hands aren’t covered in blood.”
Elena nodded. “I know.”
Mark’s jaw tightened. “Then don’t get carried away. Don’t push him too far. And for the love of God, don’t step on his toes. Men like Morretti don’t believe in second chances.”
Elena offered a small, knowing smile. “I’ll be careful.”
Mark didn’t look convinced.
---
Morretti Enterprises – That morning
The towering building loomed ahead, sleek and pristine, a symbol of wealth, power, and if her suspicions were correct secrets.
Elena’s grip on her coffee tightened. A flicker of resentment stirred in her chest as she gazed up at the polished glass exterior. This place… people like him… they took everything from me.
She inhaled sharply, suppressing the emotion. Not now. She needed to stay focused.
Squaring her shoulders, she stepped inside.
The lobby was grand high ceilings, marble floors, soft lighting that gave it an almost ethereal glow. She walked with purpose, heading toward the reception when…
Her phone rang.
With a sigh, she reached into her bag, rummaging through the mess of notes and pens.
She didn’t see the man walking toward her.
Until it was too late.
A collision.
Hot coffee spilled, drenching both of them. The force knocked her off balance, and before she could process it, she was falling….
Straight into someone’s chest.
A deep, masculine grunt. A pair of strong arms steadied her.
For a moment, she blinked up at the stranger. And wow.
Dark hair, sculpted features, piercing gray eyes that held a quiet storm beneath them. His jaw clenched as he looked down at the mess.
Elena barely registered the embarrassment creeping up her spine.
Are all Morretti men ridiculously gorgeous?
“Son of a….” The man exhaled sharply, shaking off the coffee.
“I…uh…” Elena scrambled back, flustered. “Sorry! I wasn’t….”
A low chuckle from nearby cut through the moment.
And then, the air shifted.
“Elena.”
The voice sent a chill down her spine.
Cold. Clipped.
Lorenzo.
She turned to find him standing a few feet away, watching her. His emerald eyes flickered between her and the man she had just collided with.
Elena couldn’t place it, but there was something… dangerous in his gaze.
Lorenzo took a step forward, his presence commanding.
“Elena,” he repeated, this time quieter. “Come.”
It wasn’t a request.
Before she could protest, he reached out, fingers curling around her wrist tight. Almost strangling.
Elena winced. “Lorenzo, you’re…..”
He ignored her, turning to his assistant. Whom she saw at the lounge the other day she knew there were more than boss and assistant. They seemed to be close friends. “Kelvin, get her clean clothes.” He said.
Kelvin nodded, already moving.
Lorenzo pulled her toward the elevator, his grip unrelenting.
Elena barely managed to glance over her shoulder at the man she had crashed into.
His lips twitched, amused.
“Victor Salvatore,” he murmured, introducing himself. “Try not to spill anything else on me next time, cara.”
The elevator doors shut before she could respond.
---
Inside Lorenzo’s Office
The room was majestic.
Dark wood. Sleek furniture. Floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city skyline. The air was laced with the faintest scent of whiskey and leather.
The space was controlled. Elegant.
Just like the man standing before her.
Lorenzo reached for a handkerchief, stepping closer. Without a word, he dabbed at the coffee stain on her shirt.
Elena stiffened.
His touch was… gentle. Unexpected.
But she didn’t need his help.
Snatching the handkerchief from his hand, she huffed. “I can handle it, boss.”
A flicker of amusement danced in his eyes. “Could’ve fooled me.”
Elena scoffed. “If you’re done manhandling me, I’d like to get to the actual reason I’m here.”
But before she could push further, his phone buzzed.
Lorenzo glanced at the screen. His expression darkened instantly.
Without another word, he turned toward the door.
“Stay here. Kelvin will bring you clothes.”
“Wait….”
He was gone before she could finish.
Elena scowled. Seriously?
She glanced at her screen. It was Sophia, her best friend who called. She also reminds Elena to be safe. Elena smiles. They all worry too much about her. She somehow knew she was safe
Minutes later, Kelvin arrived with clothes that oddly enough fit her perfectly.
How did he even know my size? Why do they keep women's clothes in a mafia's empire?
---
Later That Night
She must have dozed off waiting for him.
When she opened her eyes, the office was dim.
Her stomach grumbled.
She checked her phone.
No messages.
He ditched me.
Frustration burned through her. No interview. No answers.
She packed her things, determined to leave.
But the moment she stepped out, she ran straight into him.
Victor.
His gaze flickered with recognition, a small smirk forming. “We will meet again.”
Elena let out an awkward laugh. “Uh….yeah. About earlier….”
“No harm done.” He leaned in slightly. “Though I must admit, I don’t usually have women falling into my arms within minutes of meeting them.”
Elena rolled her eyes. “Charming.”
They talked as they walked toward the lobby. The conversation was easy. Light. Until….
She spotted them.
Lorenzo.
And a blonde woman.
The woman’s fingers delicately traced Lorenzo’s sleeve as she gazed at him like he was her whole world. And he let her.
Something sharp twisted in Elena’s chest.
He left me waiting for hours… for this?
Lorenzo’s head lifted. Their eyes met.
His expression shifted.
And then, he moved.
In seconds, he was in front of her, gripping her wrist.
“Elena.” His voice was edged with something unreadable.
Victor’s brow arched. “Possessive, aren’t we?”. He chuckled softly.
Lorenzo ignored him.
“Elena, let’s go.”
It wasn’t a question.
She tried to pull away. “Excuse me?”
Lorenzo leaned in, voice low. “I said. Let’s go.”
Before she could argue, he ushered her outside.
A sleek car waited.
He opened the door.
“Get in.”
Elena hesitated.
Lorenzo’s gaze burned into hers.
She should refuse. She should walk away.
But she didn’t.
As the car pulled away, the city lights blurred around them.
Elena’s
exhaustion won.
And as she drifted into sleep, she felt it….
The weight of his stare.
Watching.
Unyielding.
Unreadable.
And for the first time in years…
She felt safe, right here with her possible nemesis….. The car went silent, their location still unknown.
- Writer
