The night stretched cold and endless around them. Matteo sat frozen in the car, his small hands gripping the seat as his eyes locked onto the man standing ahead.
Marco still stood calm with that dangerous smirk on his face as if none of this was chaos, like this was all part of a game he was already winning.
Outside, Alessio stepped forward slowly, lowering his head in acknowledgment and total submission.
That alone told Matteo's young but intelligent mind everything that he needed to know.
“You did well,” Marco said, his voice smooth and tinged with approval.
But Alessio didn’t respond or looked up at him because this was not a partnership. It was complete and absolute control.
“Step aside,” Marco added, the shift in power, terrifyingly clear.
Alessio obeyed without any hesitation.
