CHAPTER 7

The city lay beneath a blanket of shadows, its pulse slowing as it drifted into a restless slumber. Inside the penthouse above The Devil's Rose, Lorenzo emerged from the steaming shower, a towel draped around his low waist, and moved toward the large window overlooking the city, his thoughts unknown. He grabbed a cigar from the polished table, lighting it with a flick of his silver lighter.

"Mateo," he called, his voice low but firm.

Within seconds, Mateo entered the room, standing with his usual composed stance.

"You called, Boss."

Lorenzo took a slow drag, exhaling a ring of smoke before speaking. "What's the update on our shipments?"

"All transactions are running smoothly. However, he is interfering more with our operations," Mateo answered, his tone turning sharp.

Lorenzo's expression darkened. "Him" referred to his long-time rival—an ambitious rival since birth whose growing influence threatened to disrupt Lorenzo's empire. He wondered if there was someone else behind him.

"He's been targeting our suppliers, trying to gain leverage," Mateo continued. "A few of our informants reported that he's seeking alliances to corner us."

Lorenzo smirked, a calculated glint in his eyes. "Let him try. He underestimates the reach of my influence."

"Should we take action?" Mateo's eyes gleamed with unspoken violence.

Lorenzo leaned back, taking another drag of his cigar before responding. "Not yet. Let him think he's winning. When the time is right, I'll personally remind him who he's dealing with."

Mateo nodded, his respect unwavering.

"Have there been a move from the government and the seats?" Lorenzo asked as he uncorked a bottle of wine, pouring the sparkling red liquid into his cup before taking a sip. Mateo watched his actions while contemplating on how to answer that but when Lorenzo turned his gaze at him, he decided to come out with it.

"There haven't been any move from the government and the seats but the Mayor seems to be using this silence to connect with Country A government," Mateo paused for a moment to gauge his boss's expression before continuing. "Although we don't know to what extent the Mayor had connected with them, we've planted our people on both sides and we have their home telephone hacked."

Lorenzo continued to sip his wine as if the report was not related to him. After savoring all the content in the wine glass, he smiled with great satisfaction. "The Mayor had finally played into my hands." "Do remind me to pay him a visit." He ordered and Mateo nodded while also smiling.

The conversation finally shifted to his beloved.

"And Elena?" Mateo asked.

Lorenzo's lips curled slightly. "Give them another day. Let them think they have a chance. Then, we'll settle the score."

Mateo studied his boss carefully. "You're thinking about her again."

Lorenzo exhaled slowly, as if savoring the thought. "Her scent lingers even in my mind… unique, like the rarest perfume." His jaw clenched slightly. "It's amusing, i never intended harm to her family… not really." He paused. "Except him."

Mateo raised a brow. "Rafael?"

Lorenzo's expression darkened. "That day he dared to touch her, to hold her—" His grip on the cigar tightened. "Only I can do that."

Mateo chuckled. "Your jealousy is showing even towards her brother."

Lorenzo shot him a glare but said nothing.

After a moment, Mateo's tone turned serious. "Have you considered what will happen when Elena is brought back into the mafia world?"

Lorenzo's eyes flickered, but he remained silent, his gaze shifting to the night skyline.

Mateo knew that meant yes.

After a long pause, Lorenzo finally spoke. "Bring back my old nanny. And prepare everything for Elena's arrival."

---

The next evening, the Delacroix family was gathered at their shop, the air tense as they tried to figure out a way to salvage their fate but before they could settle on anything, the bells on the door jingled, signaling the arrival of someone.

Lorenzo had arrived, his presence casting a long shadow over the room, signaling a shift in the evening's tension. Dressed sharply in a dark tailored suit, he exuded an aura of quiet danger as he stepped inside. Behind him, Mateo stood like a silent shadow.

Elena's father, Kraken Delacroix, narrowed his eyes, standing up from his seat. Rafael, on the other hand, clenched his fists immediately, already simmering with anger.

Lorenzo's sharp gaze scanned the room before settling on Kraken. "I believe I have been more than generous with my time," he said smoothly. "Have you come up with a way to settle your debt?"

Kraken took a deep breath. "We are prepared to work for you. Our perfumes, our poisons—whatever you need. Just leave my family out of that world."

Lorenzo tilted his head, his smirk widening. "That's unnecessary." He let out a short chuckle. "Once I have Elena, I'll have all that you mentioned."

That was the breaking point for Rafael.

"You bastard!" Rafael lunged at Lorenzo, his fist swinging—

—but before it could connect, Mateo intercepted him effortlessly, shoving him back.

Rafael stumbled but quickly regained his balance, seething with rage. "You think you can just take her?" he spat. "She's not some property to be claimed!"

Lorenzo remained calm, brushing an invisible speck off his sleeve. "I don't think—I know."

Rafael cursed, attempting to charge again, but Kraken's sharp command halted him.

"That's enough." Kraken's voice was low but carried the weight of an old authority, his aura shifting into something formidable, something reminiscent of his mafia days.

For the first time, Lorenzo acknowledged him properly. "Interesting," he mused. "You were once feared and yet, here you are—pleading."

Kraken's jaw tightened. "I am trying to negotiate."

"There is no negotiation," Lorenzo cut in. "Either you pay your debt now, or Elena comes with me."

Tension crackled in the air like a storm about to break. The stalemate continued to persist.

And then—

"I'll go," Elena declared, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging within her, cutting through the tension like a knife, commanding the room's attention.

All eyes turned to her as she stepped forward, her expression unreadable.

Her mother gasped, reaching for her, while Rafael's eyes widened in disbelief. "Elena, no—"

She turned to them, her voice steady. "This is for the best."

"Elena, what best? Do you even know what you're doing?" Rafael demanded, his frustration overflowing. "This will cost you everything, including your peaceful life!"

She looked at him, her eyes unwavering. "I know what I'm doing and it's time you all stopped treating me like some porcelain doll. I am older than you, Rafael. It's my responsibility too."

Kraken remained silent, his expression a mask of stoic resolve, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of turmoil.

Elena took a deep breath before continuing, "And maybe… maybe this will give me the chance to find the truth about my brothers' deaths."

A heavy silence followed.

Then without warning Kraken pulled her into a tight embrace. Her mother soon followed, silent tears running down her face.

Rafael, though still visibly frustrated, exhaled heavily before ruffling her hair roughly. "You're stubborn as hell," he muttered.

Elena smiled faintly. "I wonder where I got that from."

With a deep breath, she turned back toward Lorenzo, who had been watching the exchange with a knowing smirk.

"I'm ready."

Lorenzo extended a hand toward her, his voice like silk. "Then let's go, Delacroix jewel."

And with that, she walked toward him, sealing her fate.