Elegbede_Habeeb

The first time they met, it felt like fate. The second time, it felt like a warning.

She was running from a past that refused to die. He was chasing a future that seemed just out of reach. When their worlds collided, it was more than just love—it was an obsession, a wildfire that threatened to burn them both alive.

But love isn’t always salvation. Sometimes, it’s destruction in disguise.

Bound by Fire: Ashes of Desire

The storm rolled in without warning. Heavy rain pounded against the penthouse windows, thunder rumbling in the distance. But inside, the real storm was already brewing.

Luca stood at the head of the long dining table, his hands pressed against the polished wood. Around him, his most trusted men sat in tense silence. Dante, cool as ever, leaned back in his chair, twirling a knife between his fingers. Elena sat beside him, sipping whiskey like she wasn't about to be briefed on their next war.

She stood beside Luca, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

"You all know why we're here," Luca said finally, his voice steady. "Adrian's death left a hole in this city. And someone's already trying to fill it."

Dante let out a low whistle. "That was fast."

Luca nodded, his jaw tight. "His name is Rafael Costa. He's not some low-level thug looking to climb the ranks. He's smart. Connected. He runs high-end arms deals through Eastern Europe and has been waiting for an opening like this."

Elena raised a brow. "So, what's the plan? We take him out before he takes a shot at us?"

"That's the easy part," Luca said. "The problem is, he's not alone."

A heavy silence settled over the room.

Luca slid a file across the table. Dante flipped it open, scanning the contents before letting out a low curse. "The DeLuca family?"

Elena sat up straighter. "They've been out of the game for years."

"They were," Luca said. "But Rafael is marrying into their family. And that means we're not just dealing with one man—we're dealing with an entire empire ready to back him."

Sofia's voice was calm, but there was steel beneath it. "Then we hit him first."

Luca glanced at her. "It's not that simple."

Dante smirked. "I'm starting to like her more and more."

Elena leaned forward. "So, what's the move?"

Luca exhaled, running a hand through his hair. The lines between right and wrong had long since blurred. He wasn't just fighting for power anymore. He was fighting to keep Sofia safe.

And to do that, he'd have to be ruthless.

Dante let out a low chuckle. "You want to crash the biggest mafia wedding of the decade?"

Luca's lips curled into a dangerous smirk. "Not crash. We're getting an invitation."

Luca turned to her, his voice low and lethal.

"You're going to be Rafael's weakness."

Next Chapter: A Dangerous Game – Luca and Sofia step into the lion's den, playing a game of deception that could cost them everything.

Smoke and Shadows