Chapter 4: TheTrap
874 Words
The taxi sped through the rain-soaked streets of Rome.
Aurora leaned back against the seat, her chest rising and falling rapidly.
She couldn't believe she had escaped.
For the first time since entering the Grand Bellagio Hotel, she felt hope.
"I just need to get home," she whispered.
The elderly taxi driver smiled through the rearview mirror.
"Long night?"
"You have no idea."
He chuckled.
"You young people work too hard."
Aurora forced a weak smile before glancing out the rain-covered window.
She didn't notice the black SUV following several cars behind.
Inside the SUV...
A man wearing a black leather jacket lowered his binoculars.
"It's her."
Another man smiled.
"Boss wants her alive."
The driver nodded.
"Let's make this quick."
Meanwhile...
Three black Mercedes sped through Rome.
Inside the lead vehicle, Alessandro sat silently.
Marco glanced at the GPS.
"The taxi is six minutes ahead."
Alessandro stared through the windshield.
"Increase speed."
The convoy accelerated.
Aurora's phone suddenly vibrated.
Unknown Number.
She hesitated before answering.
"...Hello?"
A calm, familiar voice answered.
"Stop the taxi."
Her heart stopped.
"Alessandro?"
"You have exactly ten seconds."
"What are you talking about?"
"Get out of the taxi."
She frowned.
"I'm not coming back."
"You misunderstand me."
His voice remained calm.
"You are not running from me."
"You are driving toward my enemies."
Aurora looked behind the taxi.
Nothing.
"I don't see anyone."
"You won't."
"They're professionals."
She shook her head.
"This is another trick."
Silence.
Then Alessandro spoke one final sentence.
"Look at the driver's left wrist."
Confused, Aurora slowly lowered her eyes.
The driver's sleeve had slid upward.
Tattooed on his wrist...
A black serpent.
Her blood froze.
The driver noticed her staring.
Their eyes met in the mirror.
His friendly smile slowly disappeared.
"You weren't supposed to notice that."
Aurora's breathing stopped.
The driver suddenly locked the doors.
Click.
Aurora grabbed the handle.
It wouldn't open.
"What are you doing?"
He laughed.
"You ask too many questions."
The taxi suddenly swerved into a deserted industrial district.
"No!"
Aurora screamed.
"Stop the car!"
The driver ignored her.
Within moments, three black SUVs surrounded the taxi.
The vehicle screeched to a halt.
Armed men stepped out.
Automatic rifles.
Black masks.
The Black Serpents.
Aurora's worst nightmare had arrived.
The driver calmly climbed out.
"I've delivered the package."
One masked man opened Aurora's door.
She kicked him in the chest.
He stumbled backward.
Aurora bolted.
She ran through the abandoned warehouses as rain poured from the sky.
Gunshots exploded behind her.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Concrete shattered beside her.
She kept running.
Her lungs burned.
Her legs screamed in pain.
She slipped on the wet pavement and crashed to the ground.
Footsteps surrounded her.
Five armed men formed a circle.
There was nowhere left to run.
One of them removed his mask.
Riccardo Moretti.
He smiled.
"So..."
"You're the girl Alessandro chose."
Aurora backed away.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You don't?"
He crouched in front of her.
"Then why did the great Alessandro De Luca send half his army after one ordinary law student?"
Aurora remained silent.
Riccardo gently brushed a strand of wet hair from her face.
Such a simple gesture.
Yet somehow more terrifying than the guns.
"You're beautiful."
"I almost understand."
She slapped him.
Hard.
The sound echoed through the warehouse.
Every man raised his weapon.
Riccardo slowly touched his cheek.
Then...
He laughed.
A deep, unsettling laugh.
"I like her."
He stood.
"Bring her."
Two men grabbed Aurora.
She struggled desperately.
"Let me go!"
"No!"
Suddenly...
Headlights flooded the warehouse.
A deafening roar echoed outside.
Then—
Crash!
A black armored SUV smashed through the warehouse doors.
The impact sent crates flying in every direction.
More black vehicles followed.
Men in black tactical gear poured out.
Gunfire erupted instantly.
"Protect the Boss!"
"Take down the Serpents!"
Bullets flew across the warehouse.
Aurora dropped to the ground, covering her head.
Chaos consumed everything.
Riccardo's smile vanished.
"So..."
"He came himself."
Smoke filled the building.
Through the haze...
A tall figure walked calmly toward them.
Black suit.
Rain dripping from his shoulders.
Gray eyes colder than winter.
Alessandro De Luca.
Even with bullets flying around him...
He never hurried.
He never panicked.
He stopped only a few feet away.
His gaze settled on Aurora.
"Are you hurt?"
Aurora stared at him.
Unable to speak.
Riccardo laughed.
"You crossed half of Rome..."
"...for one woman."
Alessandro finally looked at him.
His voice was quiet.
"You touched something that belongs to me."
The warehouse fell silent.
Even Riccardo stopped smiling.
Alessandro slowly raised his pistol.
"You've made a mistake."
Riccardo smirked.
"No."
"I've started a war."
A single gunshot shattered the silence.
Bang!
Aurora screamed.
Someone had been hit.
But when the smoke cleared...
She realized the bullet hadn't struck Alessandro.
It had struck someone standing behind him.
Marco collapsed to the ground.
Blood spread rapidly across his white shirt.
"Marco!"
Aurora cried.
Alessandro caught his wounded friend before he hit the floor.
For the first time...
The Mafia King showed emotion.
His gray eyes filled with uncontrollable rage.
He looked up at Riccardo.
The temperature inside the warehouse seemed to drop.
When Alessandro spoke...
His voice was terrifyingly calm.
"You just signed your death warrant."
- Writer
