Mafia's Coded Heart
img img Mafia's Coded Heart img Chapter 3 Three
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Chapter 6 Six img
Chapter 7 Seven img
Chapter 8 Eight img
Chapter 9 Nine img
Chapter 10 Ten img
Chapter 11 Eleven img
Chapter 12 Twelve img
Chapter 13 Thirteen img
Chapter 14 Fourteen img
Chapter 15 Fifteen img
Chapter 16 Sixteen img
Chapter 17 Seventeen img
Chapter 18 Eighteen img
Chapter 19 Nineteen img
Chapter 20 Twenty img
Chapter 21 Twenty one img
Chapter 22 Twenty two img
Chapter 23 Twenty three img
Chapter 24 Twenty four img
Chapter 25 Twenty-five img
Chapter 26 Twenty six img
Chapter 27 Twenty seven img
Chapter 28 Twenty eight img
Chapter 29 Twenty nine img
Chapter 30 Thirty img
Chapter 31 Thirty one img
Chapter 32 Thirty two img
Chapter 33 Thirty three img
Chapter 34 Thirty four img
Chapter 35 Thirty five img
Chapter 36 Thirty six img
Chapter 37 Thirty seven img
Chapter 38 Thirty eight img
Chapter 39 Thirty nine img
Chapter 40 Forty img
Chapter 41 Forty one img
Chapter 42 Forty two img
Chapter 43 Forty three img
Chapter 44 Forty four img
Chapter 45 Forty five img
Chapter 46 Forty six img
Chapter 47 Forty seven img
Chapter 48 Forty eight img
Chapter 49 Forty nine img
Chapter 50 Fifty img
Chapter 51 Fifty one img
Chapter 52 Fifty two img
Chapter 53 Fifty three img
Chapter 54 Fifty four img
Chapter 55 Fifty five img
Chapter 56 Fifty six img
Chapter 57 Fifty seven img
Chapter 58 Fifty eight img
Chapter 59 Fifty nine img
Chapter 60 Sixty img
Chapter 61 Sixty one img
Chapter 62 Sixty two img
Chapter 63 Sisty the three img
Chapter 64 Sixty four img
Chapter 65 Sixty five img
Chapter 66 Sixty six img
Chapter 67 Sixty seven img
Chapter 68 Sixty eight img
Chapter 69 Sixty nine img
Chapter 70 Seventy img
Chapter 71 Seventy one img
Chapter 72 Seventy two img
Chapter 73 Seventy three img
Chapter 74 Seventy four img
Chapter 75 Seventy five img
Chapter 76 Seventy six img
Chapter 77 Seventy seven img
Chapter 78 Seventy eight img
Chapter 79 Seventy nine img
Chapter 80 Eighty img
Chapter 81 Eighty one img
Chapter 82 Eighty two img
Chapter 83 Eighty three img
Chapter 84 Eighty four img
Chapter 85 Eighty five img
Chapter 86 Eighty six img
Chapter 87 Eighty seven img
Chapter 88 Eighty eight img
Chapter 89 Eighty nine img
Chapter 90 Ninety img
Chapter 91 Ninety one img
Chapter 92 ninety two img
Chapter 93 Ninety three img
Chapter 94 Ninety four img
Chapter 95 Ninety five img
Chapter 96 Ninety six img
Chapter 97 Ninety seven img
Chapter 98 Ninety eight img
Chapter 99 Ninety nine img
Chapter 100 One hundred img
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Chapter 3 Three

Chapter Three

Luca's POV

My plan had taken an unexpected turn. Bringing her here was supposed to be a calculated move, but instead, I found myself desiring her. The last thing I anticipated was succumbing to my attraction and crossing the line with her.

At first, I couldn't grasp why someone with her exceptional hacking skills would abandon a life of luxury and protection under a powerful patron. She could have had everything she wanted, shielded from harm. Yet, she chose a different path.

But there was something about her that awakened a spark within me, a spark I'd tried to ignore. She was meant to be a mere asset, a chess piece to move. Now, things have become complicated. Our one night stand had stirred feelings I couldn't ignore.

Looking at her expression now that she had the pictures, I was positive she was going to work for me no matter what. For a hacker who was meant to be tough, she was really easy to read. "How did you get these?" She asked, a faint tremble creeping into her voice.

"I have my ways Ash," I said in a matter of fact tone. "I'll help you look for them and bring them to you safely. But, you're going to have to earn it," I added firmly.

I read her expression while she stayed silent. Everyone who operated underground knew it, the cost of working for me meant your soul, you have to lose a piece of yourself. However, you'll get whatever I promise you in return because a Santoro never goes back on their words.

"What's the job?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as though she was testing the waters.

A small smile flickered across my face, but I reined it in, my expression snapping back to neutral. "There's a rival family trying to muscle in on my turf," I said, my tone even. "They've been a pain in my ass for too long. I need someone to dig up the dirt on them, find a weakness I can exploit. They're smart, and cover their tracks well. But I have a feeling you might be the one to uncover what I need."

"Consider it your first task as my worker."

"What if I don't want to continue after this? Will you still help me find them?" She asked, staring at me in a hopeful manner but honestly, I couldn't care less if she left after the first job as long as she doesn't screw it up and tell others.

"No can do. You'll remain here but you don't have to work. By then, you'll know too much and trust me, they might be after your head." I said, quite relaxed since I was used to the scenario of that happening.

"Exactly why I don't want to do this." She snapped but immediately took in a deep breath. "You'll help me find them after this?"

I nodded. "I'll give you my word. Once the job is done, I'll reunite you with your family. But it'll be much better to stay away from them after that for their own safety."

"Fine," she muttered reluctantly. "Just promise me you'll let them go once you're done with them. And don't think you can use them as leverage against me either. Or try to threaten me into being your slave. I can play that game too, if you hadn't noticed."

"Is that so?" I asked, trying not to sound amused. "Deal, then."

I stood up, my hands in my pockets while looking in the direction she just came from. "You'll see an unlocked room, everything you'll need is in there. You're not to leave unless I say so." I walked towards the table behind me, handing her a black sleek laptop. "Start with this."

For a moment, she wavered, then reached out to take the laptop. As she began to work, her initial hesitation gave way to a spark of enthusiasm, her eyes lighting up with interest as she tapped away. Yet, her brow remained furrowed, her focus intense, as her fingers flew across the keyboard with a practiced ease.

This was the Astrid I'd been waiting for - the elusive Ash Vega, master hacker with a reputation for infiltrating even the most secure systems. As she worked, her movements fluid and confident, it was clear she was in her element.

But I wasn't fooled. She might be playing along, adhering to the terms we'd agreed upon, but I knew better than to trust her completely. Astrid was a wild card, and I had no doubt she'd try to outmaneuver me. Well, I had news for her: I played the game too, and I always came prepared.

For the time being, I needed Astrid's undivided attention on the task at hand. The Ivano family had been a persistent nuisance, and their audacity was starting to grate on me. They seemed to think they could encroach on my territory with impunity, flexing their muscles without facing any real repercussions. That was a grave miscalculation. One they would soon regret, and in the most painful way possible.

But first, I required Astrid's expertise. I had exhausted all other avenues, dispatching my top men to unearth dirt on the Ivanos, but they had returned empty-handed. The family had covered their tracks with impressive thoroughness, but I knew that no one could remain hidden forever. Not from me, and certainly not from Ash Vega.

"What's the holdup?" I asked, noticing her pause.

"You didn't tell me that I was to work on Top-notch encryption," she said, reclining in her seat with a nonchalant air, her legs stretched out on the couch. "It'll take hours to crack. Are you sure you're okay with the wait?"

"Just get it done ASAP, and be careful," I warned her.

She shrugged, muttering, "Whatever," before refocusing on her task.

Just then, my phone buzzed on the table, catching my attention. The screen displayed a familiar name: Vincent. He is very loyal, reliable, and ruthlessly efficient when needed.

I picked up, my voice steady. "Speak."

"Boss," Vincent's voice came in sounding crisp and professional. "We've got a tip on the Marcello shipment to the Ivano family. It's scheduled to arrive tomorrow night, coming in through the docks."

A thrill of satisfaction coursed through me. The Marcellos had just sealed their fate, proving their disloyalty once and for all. "Good," I said firmly. "Get everything in place. I want that shipment intercepted and destroyed. It's time I sent a message: This is my city, and I am the one who runs it and always will."

"Yes boss, consider it done." Vincent replied, a hint of grim satisfaction in his voice. He was the one I could trust with jobs of this nature: tough and bloody- and he lived for it. "What about Ash Vega?"

"You know what to do."

            
            

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