The gunshot echoed across the courtyard.
Marco's body jerked violently.
The bullet struck his shoulder, spinning him sideways before he collapsed onto the wet marble steps of the mansion.
Adrian whistled softly.
"Well… negotiations are officially over."
Marco groaned as blood seeped through his jacket.
But even on the ground—
He was smiling.
"You… always did skip the formalities, boss."
Alessandro lowered the gun slowly.
"You should have stayed loyal."
Marco coughed slightly.
"I considered it."
Then he laughed weakly.
"But Orlov pays better."
Adrian rolled his eyes.
"Can someone shoot him again?"
Elena stepped forward, her patience gone.
"Where is my mother?"
Marco tilted his head toward the mansion doors again.
"Still inside."
"With Orlov."
Her fists clenched.
"If he hurt her—"
Marco interrupted.
"He hasn't."
Elena frowned.
"Why?"
Marco's smile widened.
"Because she's useful."
Inside the Lion's Den
Without another word, Alessandro pushed past Marco and walked into the mansion.
The rest of them followed immediately.
The grand hall of the De Luca estate had never looked like this before.
Furniture overturned.
Bullet holes scattered across the walls.
Broken glass covering the marble floor.
And everywhere—
Orlov's men.
Armed.
Waiting.
The moment Alessandro stepped inside—
Dozens of guns aimed at him.
Adrian sighed dramatically.
"Yep. Definitely a trap."
Elena scanned the room desperately.
Then she saw her.
Her mother.
Still tied to a chair in the center of the hall.
Alive.
Relief washed through Elena instantly.
"Mom!"
Her mother looked up with tear-filled eyes.
"Elena!"
She tried to stand but the ropes held her tightly.
"Don't come closer!"
The Man Behind the War
A slow clap echoed through the hall.
Everyone turned toward the staircase.
Viktor Orlov descended slowly.
His presence alone seemed to fill the room.
Tall.
Cold.
Completely in control.
He stopped halfway down the stairs.
"I must say…"
His eyes moved between Alessandro and Luca.
"The De Luca family reunion is more dramatic than I expected."
Adrian muttered quietly.
"I already hate this guy."
Orlov ignored him.
His gaze settled on Elena.
"So this is the famous wife."
Elena glared back at him.
"Let my mother go."
Orlov smiled faintly.
"Straight to business."
He continued walking down the stairs.
"You remind me of someone."
Elena frowned.
"Who?"
Orlov stopped at the bottom step.
"Your father."
A Hidden Truth
The room went silent.
Elena's heart skipped.
"My father?"
Orlov nodded.
"Yes."
Alessandro's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What are you talking about?"
Orlov looked amused.
"You didn't tell her?"
Elena turned to Alessandro.
"Tell me what?"
But Orlov answered first.
"Your father wasn't just a businessman."
Elena shook her head.
"He ran a shipping company."
Orlov chuckled softly.
"Yes."
"He shipped many things."
Weapons.
Money.
Secrets.
The realization slowly dawned on Elena.
"No…"
Orlov's smile widened.
"Oh yes."
He gestured toward Alessandro.
"Your husband's empire…"
"…was built partly by your father."
Elena's Shock
Elena stepped back slightly.
"That's not true."
But Alessandro didn't speak.
And that silence said everything.
Her voice trembled.
"You knew?"
Alessandro looked at her.
"Yes."
"You knew my father worked with the mafia?"
"Yes."
Elena's chest tightened painfully.
"And you never told me?"
His voice was quiet.
"You were grieving him."
"That's not an answer!"
Orlov laughed softly.
"Oh this is wonderful."
The Real Reason
Orlov walked closer to Elena's mother.
"Your father and I had an… agreement."
Elena's mother shook her head violently.
"Don't listen to him!"
But Orlov continued calmly.
"He owed me a debt."
Elena's voice shook.
"What kind of debt?"
Orlov smiled.
"The kind that passes to family."
Elena froze.
"No."
"Yes."
Orlov pointed toward her.
"You."
Adrian whispered,
"Oh that's not good."
The Deal
Orlov leaned closer to Elena.
"You see… your father promised something before he died."
Elena's throat felt dry.
"What?"
Orlov's voice was calm.
"His daughter."
The entire room went still.
Alessandro's eyes turned deadly.
"You're lying."
Orlov shrugged.
"I have the contract."
Elena stared at him in horror.
"That's insane."
"Yes."
"But also legally binding."
Adrian blinked.
"…what kind of mafia contract is this?"
Luca muttered,
"A very old one."
The War Ignites
Orlov suddenly raised his hand.
"Enough talking."
His soldiers immediately tightened their grip on their weapons.
"You came here for the woman."
"Yes," Alessandro said coldly.
Orlov gestured toward Elena's mother.
"Take her."
Two guards began moving toward the chair.
Elena stepped forward instantly.
"Stop!"
Orlov tilted his head slightly.
"Or what?"
Alessandro raised his gun.
"That."
But Orlov smiled.
Then snapped his fingers.
And suddenly—
More than fifty armed men emerged from the upper balconies.
Every gun aimed directly at Elena.
Adrian slowly lifted his hands.
"…this night just keeps getting better."
Orlov looked at Alessandro.
"You want your wife."
"You want her mother."
"You want your empire."
He spread his arms slightly.
"Then come take them."
The Trigger
For one second—
Everything froze.
Then Alessandro pulled the trigger.
And the mansion exploded into gunfire.