Chapter 3: The Devil's Mansion
1022 Words
Olivia sat frozen as the convoy sped through the sleeping city.
Her heart was still pounding from the attack.
She glanced through the tinted window, but all she could see were dark roads and flashing streetlights. Every few minutes, she noticed another black SUV either ahead or behind them.
It was as if they were traveling with an army.
Silence filled the luxurious vehicle.
Luca sat opposite her, his elbows resting on his knees.
Even after everything that had happened, he looked perfectly composed.
His expensive black suit remained immaculate except for a few streaks of dust from shielding her during the attack.
Olivia couldn't stop staring at him.
Five years ago, he had been warm.
He laughed often.
He dreamed of opening his own business and traveling the world with her.
Now...
He looked like a man capable of ordering someone's death without blinking.
The thought sent chills down her spine.
Finally, she broke the silence.
"Who are you?"
Luca slowly lifted his eyes to meet hers.
"You already know my name."
"I don't know the man sitting in front of me."
His expression remained unreadable.
"Maybe that's for the best."
She laughed bitterly.
"You disappear for five years, come back surrounded by armed men, and expect me not to ask questions?"
"You deserve answers."
"Then answer me."
Another long silence followed.
Finally, he spoke.
"I'm the head of the Moretti Syndicate."
Olivia frowned.
"The what?"
"The Moretti Syndicate."
"I've never heard of it."
"You weren't supposed to."
He looked out the window.
"My family controls one of the largest mafia organizations in Europe."
The words struck her like a slap.
She blinked.
"No."
"It's the truth."
"You expect me to believe you're... a mafia boss?"
"I don't expect anything."
She shook her head repeatedly.
"No... this isn't real."
"It is."
"You hated violence."
"I still do."
"You wanted a normal life."
"I did."
"What happened?"
For the first time, pain flickered across his face.
"My father died."
Olivia's anger softened slightly.
"I'm sorry."
"He wasn't murdered."
She frowned.
"He was executed."
Her breath caught.
"The families voted."
"What families?"
"The Mafia Council."
She stared at him in disbelief.
"They chose me to replace him."
"You could have refused."
A humorless smile crossed his lips.
"In our world..."
"You don't refuse."
The convoy left the city behind.
Minutes later, enormous iron gates slowly opened.
Olivia gasped.
A massive estate appeared before them.
It looked more like a royal palace than a home.
Elegant fountains danced beneath golden lights.
Luxury cars filled the circular driveway.
The mansion itself stretched across acres of land, surrounded by high walls and heavily armed guards.
"This is your house?"
"It's where I live."
She whispered,
"This place is bigger than a hotel."
The convoy stopped.
Before Olivia could open her door, one of the guards hurried over.
He bowed respectfully.
"Boss."
Luca stepped out first.
Every servant standing outside lowered their heads.
"Welcome home, Don Moretti."
Olivia noticed something.
No one called him Luca.
Everyone called him...
Don.
The title alone carried terrifying authority.
Luca extended his hand toward her.
She ignored it and climbed out on her own.
Several maids smiled politely.
One stepped forward.
"Miss Carter, we've prepared your room."
Olivia looked at Luca.
"My room?"
"I had it prepared."
"You assumed I'd stay?"
"I knew you would."
"I never agreed."
"You didn't need to."
She glared at him.
"You haven't changed."
His lips twitched slightly.
"You'll discover I've changed more than you think."
Inside, the mansion was breathtaking.
Crystal chandeliers sparkled above polished marble floors.
Paintings worth millions decorated the walls.
Everything screamed wealth.
Everything screamed power.
Yet Olivia couldn't enjoy any of it.
She felt trapped.
A beautiful prison was still a prison.
As they walked through the hallway, servants respectfully stepped aside.
Nobody dared look Luca in the eyes.
Fear followed him like a shadow.
A young maid accidentally dropped a silver tray.
The loud crash echoed through the hall.
The girl immediately fell to her knees.
"I'm so sorry, Don Moretti!"
Olivia expected Luca to shout.
Instead, he calmly said,
"Did you hurt yourself?"
The maid looked surprised.
"N-No, sir."
"Then clean it up."
"Yes, Don Moretti."
She quickly gathered the broken pieces.
Olivia looked at him.
"I thought mafia bosses punished people for mistakes."
"I punish betrayal."
His voice turned cold.
"Not accidents."
A maid led Olivia upstairs to a luxurious bedroom.
The room overlooked the gardens.
Fresh flowers decorated the balcony.
Designer clothes filled one side of the wardrobe.
Jewelry sparkled inside glass cases.
Olivia frowned.
"What is all this?"
The maid smiled.
"Don Moretti selected everything personally."
"He bought these?"
"Yes, Miss."
"When?"
The maid hesitated.
"For... several years."
Olivia froze.
"Several years?"
The maid realized she'd said too much.
"I... I should leave."
She hurried out.
Olivia slowly walked toward the wardrobe.
She touched one of the dresses.
It was exactly her size.
Every shoe fit her style.
Even the perfume on the vanity was the same brand she used years ago.
A knot formed in her throat.
Had Luca really been watching her all this time?
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Luca entered carrying a small velvet box.
"I brought something."
"I don't want gifts."
"It isn't a gift."
He placed the box on the table.
"It belongs to you."
Confused, Olivia opened it.
Inside lay a delicate silver necklace.
Tears instantly filled her eyes.
It was the necklace she had given Luca on his twenty-fifth birthday.
She remembered thinking he had thrown it away when he disappeared.
"You kept it?" she whispered.
"I never took it off."
Her fingers trembled as she held the necklace.
"If you loved me so much..."
She looked up, her voice breaking.
"...why did you leave?"
Before Luca could answer, his phone rang sharply.
His expression darkened as he answered.
"What happened?"
He listened for several seconds.
His eyes became ice-cold.
"They found her?"
A long silence followed.
Then he said in a deadly calm voice,
"Lock the gates."
"No one leaves this mansion."
"They've sent an assassin... and Olivia is the target."
- Writer
