The black Romano car cut through the quiet city streets like a blade through silk.
Inside the vehicle, silence filled the space.
The events of the gala replayed again and again in Elena's mind.
The spotlight.
Victor's dance.
And the assassin.
She leaned her head slightly against the window, watching the city lights blur past.
Her life had changed so quickly it almost felt unreal.
Three days ago she was just Elena Hart.
Now she was Elena Romano.
Wife of one of the most powerful men in the country.
And apparently…
A target worth killing.
Across from her, Alessandro sat quietly.
His expression was unreadable, but his mind was clearly working.
Strategizing.
Calculating.
Adrian sat in the passenger seat beside the driver, typing rapidly on his tablet.
Finally Elena broke the silence.
"Well."
Both men looked at her.
"That was an exciting party."
Adrian let out a quiet breath.
"You almost got assassinated."
She shrugged.
"Almost."
Alessandro's voice came out colder than usual.
"This isn't a joke."
Elena looked at him.
"I know."
The car slowed slightly as it turned onto the private road leading toward the Romano penthouse tower.
Security gates opened immediately.
Several guards stood outside, already alerted.
Adrian looked up from his tablet.
"I've already contacted the security team."
"Good."
"Additional guards are being deployed."
Elena sighed.
"Fantastic."
She leaned back in her seat.
"I always wanted my own army of bodyguards."
The car stopped in front of the building.
The driver stepped out and opened the door.
Alessandro exited first.
Then he turned and held out his hand toward Elena.
She hesitated slightly.
But took it.
The gesture felt natural now.
Protective.
Possessive.
Inside the building lobby, several security officers stood waiting.
One of them approached quickly.
"Sir."
Alessandro nodded.
"Report."
"We've secured the building."
"Cameras?"
"Fully active."
"Anyone suspicious?"
"No."
Alessandro gave a short nod.
"Good."
They entered the private elevator and began rising toward the penthouse.
The silence returned.
Finally Elena spoke again.
"So."
Adrian glanced back at her.
"Yes?"
"Who do you think placed the contract?"
Adrian sighed slightly.
"That's the problem."
"What?"
"There are too many possibilities."
The elevator doors opened.
They stepped into the penthouse living room.
The large windows showed the city glowing quietly below.
Alessandro loosened his tie slightly.
"Start listing."
Adrian began pacing slowly.
"Victor Hale."
Elena immediately shook her head.
"No."
Both men looked at her.
"You're ruling him out already?" Adrian asked.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because he warned us."
Adrian shrugged.
"That could be part of the game."
Elena thought about it for a moment.
Then shook her head again.
"No."
Alessandro finally spoke.
"She's right."
Adrian looked surprised.
"You agree?"
"Yes."
Alessandro walked toward the bar and poured himself a glass of whiskey.
"Victor enjoys psychological warfare."
He took a sip.
"But this kind of direct move isn't his style."
Adrian nodded slowly.
"That's true."
Elena frowned slightly.
"So if it wasn't Victor…"
She paused.
"…who else hates you enough to kill your wife?"
Alessandro didn't answer immediately.
Instead he looked out the window.
"Several people."
Elena stared at him.
"That's not comforting."
Adrian continued thinking.
"There are rival corporations."
"Organized crime groups."
"Political enemies."
Elena rubbed her forehead.
"Your life is very complicated."
Alessandro finally looked at her again.
"You chose it."
She sighed.
"I'm starting to realize that."
Adrian suddenly stopped pacing.
"Wait."
Both of them looked at him.
"What?"
He walked toward the large screen on the wall and connected his tablet.
Several files appeared.
"What are those?" Elena asked.
"Recent financial activity."
Adrian zoomed into one section.
"Two hours before the contract was placed…"
He tapped the screen.
"…a large payment moved through an offshore account."
Alessandro stepped closer.
"How large?"
"Five million."
Elena blinked.
"That's expensive."
Adrian nodded.
"Professional assassins aren't cheap."
He opened another file.
"The transfer came from a shell company."
"That's normal."
"Yes."
Adrian zoomed in again.
"But the shell company was created only three days ago."
Elena frowned.
"Three days?"
Adrian nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Alessandro's eyes darkened slightly.
"Three days ago…"
Elena suddenly understood.
"That's when we got married."
The realization hung in the air.
Adrian nodded.
"Exactly."
Elena crossed her arms.
"So someone decided to kill me immediately after the wedding."
Alessandro's voice became colder.
"Yes."
"But why?"
No one answered.
The question echoed in the quiet penthouse.
Why her?
Why now?
Adrian suddenly spoke again.
"There's another detail."
"What?"
"The money trail doesn't end there."
He opened another file.
"The shell company received funding from another account."
Alessandro frowned slightly.
"Show me."
Adrian enlarged the information on the screen.
For several seconds, Alessandro studied the numbers carefully.
Then his expression changed.
Elena noticed immediately.
"What?"
Alessandro spoke quietly.
"I recognize this bank."
Adrian looked confused.
"Which one?"
Alessandro tapped the screen.
"This offshore branch."
"And?"
"It's connected to one of my old enemies."
Elena leaned closer.
"Who?"
Alessandro's voice turned colder.
"Someone who disappeared years ago."
Adrian frowned.
"That's impossible."
"Is it?"
Alessandro's gaze hardened.
"Because if I'm right…"
He looked at both of them.
"…this assassination contract wasn't random."
Elena felt a chill run through her.
"Then what was it?"
Alessandro answered quietly.
"A message."
Adrian crossed his arms.
"From who?"
Alessandro finished his whiskey slowly.
Then said a name neither of them expected.
"Marcus Virelli."
The room went silent.
Adrian's eyes widened slightly.
"That can't be."
Elena looked between them.
"Who is that?"
Adrian answered quietly.
"A ghost."
"That's helpful."
He shook his head.
"Marcus Virelli used to control half the criminal networks in Europe."
Elena blinked.
"Used to?"
"Yes."
Adrian looked at Alessandro again.
"Because you destroyed him."
Elena slowly turned toward her husband.
"You really do make a lot of enemies."
Alessandro's voice remained calm.
"Marcus Virelli disappeared seven years ago."
Adrian nodded.
"Everyone thought he was dead."
Elena frowned.
"So if he's alive…"
She paused.
"…he wants revenge."
Alessandro looked out over the dark city again.
"Yes."
Adrian spoke quietly.
"And targeting Elena is the perfect move."
Elena sighed.
"Because hurting the wife hurts the husband."
Adrian nodded.
"Exactly."
She crossed her arms.
"Well that's rude."
But inside…
She understood something.
This wasn't just about business anymore.
This was personal.
Somewhere out there, a man thought killing her would destroy Alessandro Romano.
And that meant the real war was only beginning.
Outside the penthouse windows, thunder rumbled softly in the distance.
The storm had finally arrived.