The Pact of Blood and Ashes

Years ago…

Before the lies. Before the violence.

A younger Luciano knelt before a dying man in a candlelit basement in Milan.

That man was Silvano Moretti—Grace's father.

His voice was wet with blood, his grip tight on Luciano's collar.

> "Protect her. Even from me.

Swear it. Swear on your mother's grave."

Luciano didn't hesitate.

"I swear."

He took the dagger from Silvano's chest and sliced his own palm.

Their blood mingled on the marble floor.

The Brotherhood called it a sinner's pact—binding a killer to the child of his enemy.

Luciano became her invisible shadow.

He watched her grow from afar.

Protected her without ever letting her know.

Until the day Silvano was murdered.

And Grace became an orphan.

That's when Luciano broke the pact.

And let himself get close.

Too close.

---

Present Day…

Grace drove fast through the Italian countryside, the locket clenched in one fist, her free hand shaking on the wheel.

Luciano's name in her mother's journal.

His face in her childhood locket.

His promise hidden in the shadows of her bloodline.

She realized something terrifying.

He didn't fall in love with her.

He was raised to save her.

All his obsession.

All his control.

All his love…

Was born out of duty.

A blood debt.

Not a heart's desire.

---

Luciano stood alone in a chapel, gripping his rosary like a weapon.

He spoke aloud—not to God, but to her ghost.

> "I never meant to love you.

You were a job. A duty. A curse."

His voice broke.

> "But you ruined me, Grace.

And if loving you damns me,

then let hell open its gates."

The candles around him flickered violently.

A storm was coming.

---