chapter 26: confrontation

The mansion was eerily quiet when they arrived. The opulent halls of Vincenzo's domain felt hollow, as though it was already preparing to crumble under the weight of what was about to happen. Elena's mind raced as she followed Luca and the rest of his men down the darkened hallways. There was no turning back now. The only thing left to do was to execute the plan.

The door to Vincenzo's private chambers stood before them, like the threshold to her past. Elena stopped, her hand on the cool surface of the door. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, remembering all the moments she had spent inside this very room—the moments of passion, the moments of terror, the promises Vincenzo had made to her. She had been a part of this world, but tonight, she was about to destroy it.

Luca nodded to Marco, signaling him to open the door. The room was dark, save for the faint glow of moonlight coming in from the window. Vincenzo sat at his desk, a glass of whiskey in hand, the picture of calm in a storm that was about to break.

"You've come for me, Luca?" Vincenzo's voice was smooth, resigned. He didn't turn around, didn't even flinch at their arrival.

"We've come for everything," Luca replied, stepping into the room with the air of a conqueror. "And that includes you, Vincenzo."

Vincenzo finally turned to face them, his gaze steely but filled with the weight of years in this game. "I knew this day would come," he said, standing up slowly. "You always were a threat, Luca. But you've underestimated one thing."

"What's that?" Luca asked, his voice sharp, almost mocking.

"You," Vincenzo said with a cold smile. "You're not the only one who plays this game."

And before Elena could react, before Luca could make his move, the sound of gunfire echoed through the room.