A black SUV waited at the end of the alley, the doors already open. Enzo shoved me inside without a word, slamming the door shut behind us. I wanted to scream and cry for help but I knew it'd make matters worse so I remained silent. The vehicle roared to life. The city lights blurred past the tinted windows, my mind racing with a million thoughts.
If they were driving me out of the city, it only meant one thing. I wasn't meant to come back. That was the way of Lorenzo Ricci.
My hands clenched into fists. Lorenzo must have known I was snooping. Must have known I was planning to escape. And now, he was tying up loose ends.
The car sped through the dark streets until it finally screeched to a halt outside a deserted warehouse. The moment the door opened, Enzo grabbed me again, hauling me inside the creepy warehouse. The air smelled of rust, dirt, and gasoline, the lights flickering against the walls.
And standing in the center of the room—waiting—were two figures.
One was Lorenzo Ricci.
The other?
Seraphina Marone.
Seraphina's lips curled in amusement as she stepped forward, arms crossed.
"You weren't supposed to know, sweetheart," Her voice was soft, condescending. Mocking. "But don't worry—you won't leave this place alive."
Lorenzo stepped beside Seraphina, his expression unreadable. "Did you really think you could outsmart me, Valeria?" His tone was smooth, almost amused.
I met his gaze, my expression blank. "I was hoping for it."
Seraphina laughed, walking in slow, devastated steps toward me. "You were always so naive. That's what made you perfect for this role."
She tilted her head, eyes glowing like a viper. "Tell me, did you really believe Lorenzo ever loved you?"
I didn't answer. Because I already knew the truth.
"Seven years, Valeria. Seven years of your pathetic loyalty, and what did it get you? Five dead children and a husband who never even considered you his wife." Seraphina's hand drifted to a silver tray beside her, where a scalpel glinted under the light.
"But don't worry, I'll make this quick." She stepped forward, and placed the scalpel on my face, marking a cut on my cheek. Her hand drifted down to my stomach and before she could make the cut on my belly—
A gunfire erupted. Seraphina staggered back, the scalpel slipping from her fingers as bullets tore through the walls.