Chapter 3: Failed Assassination
1431 Words
Chapter 3: Failed Assassination
***
Aldo sat behind his desk, scanning the documents Marco had placed before him.
“The shipment from Sicily arrived safely,” Marco reported. “The casino has exceeded this month’s projections, and the Romano family hasn't made a move.”
Aldo scrawled his signature on the final page, the heavy gold nib scratching loudly against the paper in the quiet room.
“Anything else?”
“No, Boss.”
“Leave.”
Marco nodded and disappeared through the door.
Almost immediately, another knock followed. “Come in.”
The heavy office door clicked shut as Enzo stepped in. He didn’t wait to be asked; he laid a thin, matte-black folder over the spreadsheets Aldo had been agonizing over for the last three hours.
“Cavallo’s girl,” Enzo said quietly.
Aldo dropped his pen. The sudden movement sent it rolling across the mahogany desk, but he didn’t track it. His focus was entirely on the folder.
"Give me the short version."
"Usual routine. Out the door at seven-thirty, grabbed a stale croissant from Rossi’s, and walked the rest of the way."
Enzo shifted his weight, checking his watch. "The tail noted she looked tired. Pale.”
Aldo remained silent.
“She arrived at the café at eight. She smiled twice today. Once at an elderly customer... and once at a little girl who gave her a flower.”
Aldo’s fingers paused over the file in front of him.
“She skipped lunch.”
The pen snapped between his fingers. “Why?”
Enzo lowered his eyes.
“The café was busy.”
Aldo picked up his pen.
“Have someone deliver lunch to the café.”
“Boss... she may refuse.”
“Then leave it anonymously.”
Enzo nodded.
“She got home at six-thirty. She called Clara at seven. The call lasted fourteen minutes.”
Aldo looked up, the sudden stillness in his posture more threatening than a shout.
“What was discussed?”
“Our tech team couldn’t hear everything, but they mentioned the will... and the marriage.”
A faint smile crossed Aldo’s lips. “So she knows.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Silence settled over the office.
Finally, Aldo spoke. “How many days?”
“One.”
Aldo rose from his chair and walked to the window. His reflection stared back at him.
“She’s stubborn.”
Enzo allowed himself a small smile.
“Very.”
“She'll fight me,” Aldo smirked.
“I believe she will.”
Aldo’s smirk deepened.
“I expect nothing less.”
He turned.
“Double the surrounding security.”
“Boss?”
“I don’t want anyone getting close to her.”
“Yes, Boss.”
“And remind Natalia…”
Enzo waited.
“...that tomorrow is her final day.”
“And if she refuses?”
Aldo’s expression softened for the first time.
His voice dropped to almost a whisper.
“Tell her to spend tonight with the people she loves.”
“Because when the sun rises after tomorrow…”
He picked up the engagement contract from his desk.
“...she'll belong to me.”
Enzo bowed his head.
“Understood, Boss.”
***
The lunch rush had barely begun when the café door opened.
Three men in black suits stepped inside.
The conversations around the room faded.
Natalia didn't have to look up to know who they worked for.
She finished pouring a customer's coffee before wiping her hands on her apron and walking toward them.
“I’m working.”
Enzo removed his gloves with unhurried precision. “It won't take long.”
“I don't have anything to say to Aldo De Luca.”
“No,” Enzo replied evenly. “But he has something to say to you.”
Natalia folded her arms.
“I'm listening.”
Enzo met her eyes. “The boss asked me to remind you that your deadline expires tomorrow.”
She didn’t blink.
“And?”
“He suggests you spend whatever time remains with the people you love.”
The words settled between them.
A customer quietly stood, picked up his coffee, and left.
Natalia let out a small, humorless laugh.
“Is that supposed to frighten me?”
“It wasn’t meant to.”
“No?”
Enzo shook his head. “It was meant to prepare you.”
She stepped closer until only the counter separated them.
“Tell your boss something for me.”
Enzo waited.
“If Aldo De Luca wants an answer…” She smiled, but there wasn’t an ounce of warmth in it. “...he already has one.”
“And what answer is that?”
“I don’t belong to anyone.”
She turned her back on them. “Now, if you'll excuse me…”
She picked up a tray. “...my customers need me more than your boss does.”
Without another word, Enzo inclined his head and walked out.
The three black SUVs waiting outside pulled away together.
Natalia kept serving coffee.
Only the slight tremble in the tray she carried betrayed her.
---
The next day.
The café was unusually quiet. Natalia glanced at the wall clock. Five O'clock. The deadline was over. Nothing had happened.
She released a slow breath.
Maybe he will finally accept her answer.
The bell above the door chimed.
Every head turned as Aldo De Luca walked in. His tailored black suit fit him perfectly, his expression unreadable.
The room fell silent.
He didn't acknowledge anyone else. His gray eyes settled on Natalia. “I'm here for you, princess.”
Her pulse stumbled. “Don't call me that. I have already given you my answer.”
“You gave me your opinion.”
Aldo took another step. “I'm here for your decision.”
“My decision hasn't changed.”
“It will, princess.”
“It won't.”
A faint smile touched his lips. “We’ll see.”
“I'm not going anywhere.”
Aldo’s gaze swept across the café before returning to her.
“We are leaving, and you are coming with us.”
“No.”
“You have two choices, princess.”
She laughed bitterly. “I don't remember asking for any.”
“You walk out with me now…”
His voice remained calm.
“...or I buy this café before sunset and lock its doors for good.”
Natalia’s smile disappeared. “You wouldn't.”
Aldo looked toward Sofia, who stood frozen behind the register.
“I already have.”
Sofia’s face was drained of color.
“Natalia…” she whispered.
“The papers were signed an hour ago.”
Natalia stared at him. “You closed the café?”
“I protected my future wife from working herself to exhaustion.”
“I'm not your wife.”
“Not yet.”
She glared at him.
“I hate you.”
“I know.”
He held out his hand. She ignored it.
Aldo lowered his voice so only she could hear.
“Listen carefully.” His eyes never left hers.
“If you behave, this remains exactly what it is.”
He tapped the marriage contract tucked beneath his arm.
“A contract.”
Her jaw tightened.
“But if you insist on fighting me at every turn…” He leaned closer.
“...I'll stop pretending.”
She swallowed.
“You will share my home.” His voice was little more than a whisper.
“My name.”
“My bed.”
“And every responsibility that comes with being my wife.”
Natalia's breath caught.
Aldo straightened.
“So…”
He extended his hand once more. “Are we leaving?”
She looked around the café. The staff avoided her eyes.
Outside, black SUVs waited at the curb.
There was nowhere left to run.
Slowly...
Reluctantly...
Natalia stepped around the counter. Without taking his hand, she walked past him.
And with it...
The life Natalia had fought to keep,
She looked around the café. Sofia’s eyes were filled with apology. The customers had quietly slipped away.
Outside, three black SUVs waited.
There was nowhere left to run.
She closed her eyes.
Then, with trembling fingers, she untied her apron and placed it on the counter.
“I'll be back,” she whispered.
No one answered.
“After you, princess,” Aldo said, gesturing toward the door.
Natalia took one step toward him...
A deafening gunshot shattered the silence.
The café windows exploded. Someone screamed.
Aldo spun around, grabbing Natalia and pulling her against his chest.
“Get down!”
- Writer
