Chapter 3 : A Dangerous Invitation
363 Words
The first rule of survival was simple.
Never underestimate your target.
Elena broke that rule the moment she accepted Lucian Moretti's invitation.
Three days after their dinner, she found herself standing inside the Moretti estate.
The mansion overlooked the sea, its towering glass walls reflecting the storm clouds gathering overhead.
Luxury.
Power.
Control.
Everything about the place screamed Lucian.
A guard escorted her through endless hallways before stopping outside a pair of dark wooden doors.
"The boss is waiting."
Of course he was.
Elena entered without hesitation.
Lucian stood beside a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the ocean.
His jacket was gone.
The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up, exposing tattooed forearms and the expensive watch resting against his wrist.
For the first time, he looked less like a king.
And more like a man.
Dangerous thought.
She immediately pushed it away.
"You invited me into the lion's den," Elena said.
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Would you prefer I came to yours?"
The image that created was far too vivid.
Elena ignored it.
"What do you want, Moretti?"
Lucian turned toward her.
His expression became serious.
"There is a leak inside my organization."
She remained silent.
"And?"
"And people are dying because of it."
The room suddenly felt colder.
Lucian stepped closer.
Not threatening.
Not aggressive.
Worse.
Calm.
Measured.
"You have a talent for reading people."
Elena's pulse skipped once.
How much did he know?
"I need someone I can trust."
She nearly laughed.
Trust.
From a mafia king.
To an assassin pretending to be someone else.
The irony was almost painful.
Their eyes locked.
Neither moved.
Neither looked away.
Then Lucian said something that unsettled her more than any threat ever could.
"I think you're hiding something, Elena."
Silence filled the room.
Outside, thunder rolled across the ocean.
Inside, Elena felt the weight of the gun hidden beneath her jacket.
The weapon suddenly seemed insignificant.
Because for the first time since accepting the contract, she realized a terrifying possibility.
Lucian Moretti might be closer to the truth than she was ready for.
And if he discovered who she really was...
One of them would not survive.
.
.
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Enjoyy!!!
- Writer
