Pierced to kill

CHAPTER 3: THE GIRL WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO DIE

Chapter 3: The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die

Aurora

I refused to cry. Not when they stripped me of my weapons..Not when they locked me inside this luxurious prison. And certainly not because Dante De Luca looked at me like I was some puzzle he couldn't solve. I stood before the massive window overlooking the sea, my arms folded across my chest. The estate was breathtaking. An architectural masterpiece perched on the edge of a cliff. Beyond the wrought-iron gates, armed men patrolled in disciplined shifts, their movements precise, almost military. Escape was impossible.

For now.

I pressed my forehead against the cool glass, forcing myself to breathe. Think, Aurora. There was always a weakness. Every fortress had one. A knock sounded at the door. Before I could answer, Rosa entered, carrying another tray. "You skipped breakfast."

"I'm not hungry."

"You've also skipped lunch."

"I said I'm not hungry." She placed the tray on the table anyway. "You remind me of someone."

"I don't care."

"The young master." I turned sharply.

"Dante.? She smiled faintly. "When he was younger, he'd go days without eating whenever he was angry."

"Don't compare me to that monster." Her expression dimmed. "You only know one side of him."

"I know enough."

She didn't argue. Instead, she quietly uncovered the dishes before leaving. The aroma of freshly baked bread, grilled chicken, herbs, and soup filled the room. My stomach growled. Traitor. I hadn't eaten in almost twenty-four hours.

With a sigh of defeat, I sat down. "I hate this," I muttered before taking the first bite.

Three floors below, Dante stood in his office while Luca placed several files across the desk. "We searched every database we have." Dante flipped open the first folder. Aurora Moretti. Twenty-three. Final-year medical student. No criminal record. No known ties to organized crime. Impossible. No ordinary medical student could infiltrate one of Europe's most heavily guarded charity galas.

"What about her family?"

"They died in a house fire fifteen years ago."

"A fire?" Luca nodded. "That's what the official report says." Dante's fingers stilled. Official reports lied. Especially where the mafia was concerned. "And the pendant?" Luca hesitated.

"We searched the archives."

"And?"

"It's identical." Dante looked up. "You're certain?"

"Every detail."

Silence settled between them. The silver pendant carried the crest of The Order of Saint Michael, a secret society that had once acted as neutral mediators among Europe's five most powerful mafia families. The Order disappeared fifteen years ago. The same night Dante's father was murdered..The same night Aurora's family supposedly died. No survivors Or so everyone believed.

"If Aurora has that pendant..." Luca murmured. ...then someone erased her from history." Dante closed the file. "Bring me every report from that night."

"There are hundreds."

"I'll read every one.” He's sighed

Later that evening. I was pacing my room when the lock clicked. Dante entered alone. No guards..No weapons. At least none that I could see. "You've been busy," I said sarcastically.

"I've been reading."

"Bedtime stories?"

"Your file." I froze. "What do you want?"

"The truth.".I laughed.

"That's rich coming from a mafia boss.".He ignored the insult. "What do you remember about the night your parents died?" The question hit like a bullet. My throat tightened."I remember everything."

"Tell me." I stared at him. "You expect me to relive the worst night of my life because you asked nicely?"

"I expect you to answer."

"And if I don't?"

"You remain here."

I folded my arms. "Fine." The memory clawed its way to the surface. He gave me a look and I realized that I didn't really want to remain here. I began."I was eight and it was raining. I could remember that my father kept looking out the window” I took a deep breath. I hadn't spoken about that night in years. “ He told me mom to take me upstairs but I didn't listen. I ran and hid under the staircase, trembling. It's been 15 years and I haven't spoken about this day but I can still hear the gunshots, the screams and the glass shattering. The were dressed it black suit…men, ai can remember. The killed……. everyone. My dad had begged them to spare me.” My voice cracked despite my best effort and Dante didn't interrupt. He's eyes were fixed on me as if he was taking notes in his mind about everything I spoke about. “And what did they do, they laughed mockingly at him. One of them, I could remember wore a silver ring, a wolf carved into it” I swallowed hard before finishing. “shot my father …right here.” I demonstrated by pointing a finger to my chest. I let out a smirk. “I'll never forget his face.

My breathing became uneven. “ He looked at me, a child who had just witnessed her parents being murdered. I could hardly breathe, I thought I was next.

“Then what happened” Dante asked, expression unchanged

“I don't know. I woke up in an orphanage the next day.” The room was filled with silence. The only noise heard were the leaves of the trees which was forced by the wind to clap.

Dante's expression remained unreadable.

"The man with the wolf ring...He spoke slowly.

...wasn't one of mine." I scoffed "Convenient."

"I've never allowed wolf insignias in my organization."

"Liar." He reached into his pocket. Without warning, he tossed something toward me. I caught it instinctively. The silver pendant. My pendant. My eyes widened with shock and fury. "Where did you get this?"

"It was around your neck." I clutched it tightly. "My mother gave it to me."

"What did she say?"

"Only that I should never lose it."

"Did she tell you why?"

"No." Dante stared at the pendant for a long moment. "You've been chasing the wrong enemy."

Anger surged through me but I still managed to let out a giggle. "Don't you dare."

"I'm serious."

"You think I'd believe you after k********g me?"

"I don't care whether you believe me."He stepped closer. "But someone wants us to hate each other." My breathing quickened. "What are you talking about?"

"Fifteen years ago, someone orchestrated two massacres."

"My father's."

"And your family's."

"They succeeded because both sides blamed each other." I shook my head.

"No."

"You're lying."

"I wish I were."

For the first time since meeting him… There was no arrogance in his voice. No mockery. Only certainty.

Before I could respond, a loud explosion rocked the mansion. BOOM! The windows rattled violently and the lights flickered. Alarms screamed throughout the estate. Gunfire erupted outside. Rapid and relentless. Dante's head snapped toward the window. His calm vanished instantly. "Luca!" he barked into the communicator hidden beneath his sleeve. Gunshots answered through the static. "We're under attack!" The line went dead. Dante cursed under his breath. He looked at me. "Stay here."

"I'd rather die."

No "That can be arranged if you step outside." Another explosion shook the floor beneath us.

The bedroom door burst open. A bloodied guard stumbled inside. "They breached the east wing!"

"Boss..."

"They're asking for the girl." Every muscle in my body tensed. "The girl?" Dante demanded. "They kept shouting...The guard coughed blood before collapsing....Bring us Aurora Moretti." Silence crashed over the room. I looked at

Dante and he looked at me. Neither of us spoke because it wasn't Dante De Luca hunting me. Someone else had found me first.