Chapter 1 THE MAN BEHIND THE GLASS

The city never truly slept-it only learned how to whisper.

From the top floor of the building, the lights below looked harmless, almost beautiful. Cars crawled like glowing insects, people unaware of who really owned the streets they walked on.

Alessandro Moretti stood behind a wall of reinforced glass, hands clasped behind his back. His suit was perfectly tailored, dark as the night outside, not a wrinkle out of place. The same could not be said for the men kneeling behind him.

"Again," he said calmly.

The man on the floor shook his head violently. "I swear, Alessandro, I didn't-"

A single glance silenced him.

Alessandro didn't raise his voice. He never had to. Authority clung to him like a shadow-quiet, inevitable. He turned slightly, just enough to acknowledge the presence of his right-hand man, Luca, who stood nearby with his arms crossed.

"You were warned," Alessandro said, finally facing the traitor. "Twice."

The room felt smaller, tighter, as if the walls themselves were listening.

Minutes later, the problem was handled.

Alessandro returned to the glass, jaw tight-not from anger, but exhaustion. Power required vigilance. Mercy was a luxury he couldn't afford.

"Another issue," Luca said carefully. "Not business this time."

That got Alessandro's attention.

"There's a woman," Luca continued. "She witnessed the exchange at the docks last night."

Alessandro's reflection stared back at him. Cold. Calculating.

"Witnesses don't stay witnesses," he replied.

Luca hesitated. "She's... different. Not connected. Wrong place, wrong time."

Alessandro turned fully now. "Find her!".

And just like that, her fate was sealed.