The Capo’s Daughter

Chaos Erupts

Kat tried to tug Mia back onto the dance floor, but Mia slipped out of her grip. The crowd felt thicker now, bodies pressing in from every direction. As Mia stepped back, she bumped into someone behind her. When she turned, her stomach dropped — something about the man instantly unsettled her.

“I’m sorry about that, I didn’t see you there,” Mia said quickly.

The man flashed a mischievous grin. “It’s okay, birthday girl. Things happen, bellissima.”

Mia stiffened and immediately turned back to Kat. “I need to go to the ladies’ room. Come with me?”

Kat rolled her eyes dramatically. “I’m gonna go see Benny and get us a drink. Meet me at the bar when you’re done.”

Mia groaned. “Fine. I’ll be right back. I’m ready to go after this.”

“Buzz kill,” Kat slurred. “One more drink.”

“Ugh, I don’t think you need another drink. One drink, then we go. I’m texting Luca.” Mia muttered, pulling out her phone. She unlocked it and found Luca’s contact.

Mia: Hey. I don’t see you anywhere. I’m headed to the bathroom and then I want to go home. Kat might be a little intoxicated. If you’re not ready, we can get an Uber.

With that. Mia angrily shoved her phone in her clutch and turned for the bathroom. She felt really uneasy and wished that Kat had accompanied her. If she wasn't so drunk, she probably would have. Mia made her way down the hall they had entered from. A few women were chatting in front of the bathroom door, but as soon as Mia approached, they slipped back into the club—apparently realizing they were in the way.

Her eyes widened the moment she stepped inside. The bathroom was surprisingly elegant and modern. Everything was clean, it smelled nice, and the stalls were a decent size. After finishing up, she paused—she could hear the door swing open and the sound of footsteps. More than one person, she thought.

“Oh, Grace, I am having so much fun. Dante is busy working. I don’t know why he even told me to come.” A squeal followed. “But this… this will make the night more interesting.”

“Charlotte… I don’t think Dante would like that.” This voice was softer, timid, unsure.

Mia stepped out of the stall just as the two women came into view. One was voluptuous, clearly a bottle-blonde; the other was slimmer, dark-haired, with striking features. Mia moved toward the sink, but before she could reach it, the blonde snapped open her compact—and in a blink, she brought it to her nose, sniffing it quickly.

The surprise on Mia’s face must have been obvious, because when the girl turned, she giggled and held out the compact toward her. “Care to join our party? Take a bump. You’ll love it!”

“Oh—no, thank you. I’ve already had a bit to drink.” Mia knew exactly what the white powder was, and she never took part in that kind of partying.

“Suit yourself. Hope you have a good night!” the girl chirped before heading toward the bathroom door.

Mia exhaled in relief. She knew that type of girl—she looked like the kind who’d pressure her harder, a classic mean-girl type. Turning back to the mirror, Mia realized just how drunk she actually felt. She cupped cool water in her hands and pressed it to her face, the chill refreshing against her flushed skin. After washing her hands, she headed out of the bathroom.

But the moment she stepped through the door, rough hands grabbed her from behind and yanked her backward. She shrieked, spinning around—and froze. It was the man she had accidentally bumped into earlier. The look on his face told her everything she needed to know.

"Bellissima ragazza. Ci divertiremo un po'. Sapevo che lo volevi quando mi hai urtato." (Beautiful girl. We're going to have some fun. I knew you wanted it when you bumped me.)

"Get your f*cking hands off me." Mia yelled and she struggled.

He spun her and slammed her back into the wall behind them. Mia felt as though the wind was knocked out of her. Still she thrashed and tried to knee the man between his legs. He grabbed her harder and stuck one hand up her crop top, grabbing her breast and squeezing roughly. Mia, thrashed and screamed, though she doubted anyone heard it over the music. She finally stopped and looked at the mans face. She jerked her head back, then launched spit right into his face.

"I'll k*ll you — you son of a b*tch."

The man, now visibly furious, tore one hand away from her and tried to wipe the spit from his eyes. And that’s when Mia realized—her blade. Small, discreet, hidden in the inner seam of her leggings. Every piece of clothing she owned had some custom feature like that; she never went anywhere unprepared. Not since she’d turned sixteen and one of her father’s trainers had drilled her relentlessly in every kind of combat.

Blade now in hand, before Mia could raise it. The man's fist slammed into the side of her face, causing her to loose her footing and sending the tiara she wore flying. She cold feel warm liquid dripping down the side of her face. He held her by the back of her top so she didn't fall and ripped her backwards. "I'm going to make you regret that, whore." The man growled viscously.

Her back hit the wall again, and she coughed. She thought she saw a door swing open behind the man. She knew she couldn't wait to be saved as the man lifted his fist again, she swung up her hand with the blade in it. It landed in his neck and his eyes widened, his arm fell.

"I told you I'd k*ll you! I gave you a chance." Mia seethed as she pulled the knife from his neck. Blood sprayed across the small corridor. The moment the man dropped, Mia’s eyes snapped to Lucas. He stood rooted to the spot, stunned into silence—an expression she’d never seen on him. Just as Luca stepped forward to go to Mia, a deep voice boomed from the club entrance.