Chapter 4 A Debt Paid in Blood

The ride back to the estate was silent, but the weight in the air was suffocating. Adriana sat in the back of the black SUV, her fingers tapping against her knee, her mind working through everything Marco had revealed.

Vito Salerno wanted me dead.

It wasn't just about her father. This was personal.

Luca drove, his grip on the wheel tight. "You should've let me put a bullet in Marco's head," he said finally.

Adriana exhaled, her gaze fixed on the city lights flashing past the window. "No. Killing him would've given us nothing. But now? He'll disappear, just like I told him to. And Vito won't know we're coming."

Luca grunted, unconvinced. "You're sure it was him?"

Adriana's jaw clenched. "Marco had no reason to lie. And I know Vito. He's been circling my father's empire for years, pretending to be a friend. He wanted this throne."

Luca glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "And now he knows you're still in his way."

Adriana smirked, though there was no humor in it. "Let's remind him why that's a problem."

---

By the time they reached the estate, a storm had settled over the city. Thunder rumbled in the distance, lightning flashing across the sky. It was fitting. A storm was coming, and she intended to be the eye of it.

Inside the study, the remaining capos were waiting. Enzo, Rocco, Matteo, and Salvatore sat around the long table, tension thick in the air. They knew something was coming.

Adriana walked in, her presence demanding silence. Luca followed, taking his usual place beside her.

"Marco talked," she announced, dropping into the leather chair at the head of the table. "Vito Salerno ordered my father's death. And he wanted me dead, too."

The reaction was immediate.

Enzo swore under his breath, rubbing his temples.

Matteo scoffed. "Salerno? That bastard's been eyeing our turf for years. Should've put a bullet in him a long time ago."

Salvatore leaned forward, eyes sharp. "If Vito wanted you dead, why haven't we seen a move against you yet?"

Adriana crossed her arms. "Because he doesn't know I know. He probably thinks I'm still figuring things out, that I'm too weak to make a move."

Rocco smirked. "Then let's prove him wrong."

Adriana nodded. "We don't wait for him to strike. We take the fight to him."

Enzo frowned. "War with Salerno means war with his allies. He's not just some street thug-he has powerful connections, politicians, law enforcement. If we go after him, we'd better be prepared."

"We are," Adriana said firmly. "I won't let my father's killer walk free. And I won't let him think he can erase me."

Luca stepped forward. "I've already put feelers out. Vito has a private casino downtown. It's one of his biggest operations, and it's where he does most of his dealings. If we want to send a message, that's where we start."

Adriana's lips curled into a slow, deadly smile. "Then let's burn it to the ground."

---

The casino was a fortress.

Located in the heart of the city, it was more than just a gambling den-it was Vito's financial stronghold. Money laundering, illegal trades, underground deals. Taking it out would be a crippling blow.

Adriana and her crew arrived under the cover of night, dressed in black, armed to the teeth. The plan was simple: get in, make a mess, and send a message Vito wouldn't forget.

Luca gave the final instructions as they crouched near the back entrance. "We split into two teams. Adriana, you and I take the floor. Matteo, Rocco, you hit the security room and disable the alarms. Once we're inside, we move fast."

Adriana pulled her gun from its holster, checking the magazine. "No survivors from Vito's men. We leave our mark."

Luca smirked. "I love it when you talk violent."

She rolled her eyes. "Let's go."

---

The moment they stepped inside, chaos erupted.

The first guard barely had time to react before Adriana put a bullet between his eyes. His body crumpled to the floor, and the screams from nearby patrons sent the room into a frenzy.

Luca was already moving, taking out another guard with a clean shot to the chest. Across the room, Rocco and Matteo had reached the security booth, and within seconds, the alarms were silenced.

Adriana walked through the panicked crowd like a queen surveying her kingdom.

People screamed, running for the exits. Dealers ducked behind tables, chips and cash scattering across the floor. But her focus was on one man-Vito's lieutenant, a snake named Giovanni Russo.

He tried to run.

Adriana was faster.

She grabbed a bottle from a nearby table, smashed it against the edge, and hurled the jagged glass straight at him. It struck his leg, making him stumble just long enough for her to close the distance.

She slammed him against the roulette table, pressing her gun under his chin.

"Where's Vito?" she demanded.

Giovanni whimpered. "I-I don't know!"

Wrong answer.

She slammed the gun harder against his jaw. "Try again."

His eyes darted around, desperate for an escape. "He's-he's out of town! He left yesterday, said he had business in Miami!"

Adriana's grip tightened. "Then who's running things here?"

Giovanni swallowed. "Carlo Moretti. He's Vito's right hand. He's the one in charge while Vito's gone."

Adriana exchanged a look with Luca.

Killing Carlo would be a message Vito couldn't ignore.

She turned back to Giovanni, smiling. "You've been very helpful."

Then she pulled the trigger.

His body collapsed against the table, blood spilling across the felt.

She turned to the rest of the casino, taking in the destruction they had caused. It was a beautiful sight.

Luca stepped beside her. "What now?"

Adriana holstered her gun. "Now, we find Carlo."

As the crew made their way toward the exit, the sound of approaching sirens filled the air. Police. Someone had managed to make a call before Matteo killed the security feeds.

Luca cursed. "We need to move."

Adriana turned to Enzo. "Is the back alley clear?"

Enzo peeked out, then nodded. "For now, but we have to hurry."

They slipped out the back, moving swiftly through the alleyway. Rain had started to fall, washing away the blood splattered on their clothes.

As they reached their getaway cars, Adriana turned back to the burning casino, watching as flames licked at the sky.

The first move had been made.

But this war was far from over.

She slid into the car, her voice calm as she spoke.

"Carlo Moretti dies next."

Luca nodded, starting the engine.

And with that, they disappeared into the night.