Chapter 4 The shadow of the past

Alba Ricci

I head for the door, slip on my leather jacket and retrieve my gun from under the pillow. A simple Glock, light and reliable. I never go out without it.

The streets are deserted at this hour. Just a few wandering souls, silent shadows not looking for trouble.

I walk without a destination.

Until I felt a shiver down my spine.

An instinct, a visceral alert. Someone is following me.

I slowed down slightly, putting my ear to the ground.

The footsteps are muffled, discreet, but I can hear them.

I enter a darker alley, tighten my grip on my gun.

Then I suddenly turn around, barrel pointed straight at the stranger.

The man stops dead in his tracks. A smirk appears on his face.

- Responsive as ever, Ricci.

I immediately recognize the voice.

My blood runs cold.

- You.

The man takes a step forward, his smile widening.

- It's been a long time.

His shadow stretches under the streetlamps.

I didn't expect to see him again.

Not so soon.

And especially not here.

The night is getting colder all around me.

I'm not lowering my weapon.

Facing me, the man takes a step back, his hands raised in a gesture of false innocence. His smile remains fixed, but his gaze scrutinizes me as if assessing my weaknesses, looking for the slightest flaw.

- No need to pull out all the stops, Alba.

His voice feels like an icy blade against my skin.

- What are you doing here, Carlo?

His smile widens. I hate that look on his face, that mixture of arrogance and unhealthy pleasure.

- I was sent to find you.

I grit my teeth. Of course you do.

- My father.

Carlo Ricci nods slowly.

- He'd like to see you.

A bitter laugh escapes me.

- Really? After years of not hearing from me, he suddenly remembers that I exist?

Carlo lowers his arms, takes another step. My index finger grazes the trigger.

- Don't do it, Alba.

His tone is lower, more serious.

- Why?" I retort coldly. Are you going to kill me?

He doesn't answer right away.

- Not me.

A silence settles in.

My heart is pounding in my chest, but my face remains impassive. You must never show fear. Never show fear.

- Follow me, Alba. It'll be easier.

I shake my head slowly.

- And if I refuse?

Carlo sighed, as if expecting this answer.

- Then others will come. And they won't talk until they shoot.

I stare at him for a moment, my fingers tightening on my gun.

Carlo is no amateur. He wouldn't risk coming alone if my father hadn't already planned other options.

I back away slowly, still playing it safe.

- Tell my dad he can go fuck himself.

Carlo shakes his head with a weary sigh.

- You complicate everything, as always.

- That's the way I am.

Then, in one swift movement, I disappear into the shadows of the alleyway.

---

Gabriel Moretti - The Art of War

Dawn is just breaking over the city when I leave my villa.

My wound still pulls, but I ignore it. The human body is a machine. You just have to master it.

Matteo is waiting for me by the car, file in hand. His expression is serious, concentrated.

- Any news?" I ask, grabbing the folder.

- Yes.

I quickly flip through the pages. Photos, reports, statements. My gaze lands on a familiar face.

Carlo Ricci.

A slow smile stretches across my lips.

- He's in town.

Matteo nods.

- Saw it last night, looking for someone.

My smile fades slightly.

I close the file and stare at the horizon.

Carlo Ricci comes to Milan for a reason.

And the only plausible reason is Alba.

A slight rumble rises inside me.

I hate the unexpected.

- Find it.

Matteo doesn't ask questions. He knows that when I give an order, it's not a suggestion.

He pulls away immediately, and I get into the car.

The engine roars to life.

It's time to deal with the Ricci problem.

---

Alba Ricci - An impossible escape

I run.

Not physically. Not this time.

But the instinct is the same. To leave this place before it's too late. Before my father tightens his grip.

I know what he wants.

It's not about reconciliation, or a family reunion.

He wants to possess me like a chess piece on his board.

And I refuse to be a pawn.

I arrive in front of my apartment, check the surroundings before entering. Nothing unusual. But the adrenalin keeps me on my toes.

I push open the door and close it behind me.

Then I freeze.

Here it is.

Sitting on my sofa, as if he already owned the place.

Gabriel Moretti.

His dark gaze settles on me, appraising, piercing.

- Looks like you had a rough night.

I stand by the door without answering.

He taps the file on the coffee table.

- Carlo Ricci.

My jaw clenches.

He knows.

- Why are you interfering?" I murmur.

A joyless smile stretches his lips.

- Because I don't like people touching what's mine.

A shiver runs through me.

- I don't belong to you.

He slowly rises, approaches, his shadow merging with mine.

- Not yet.

His gaze burns with an intensity I refuse to understand.

But deep inside me, a certainty takes root.

Gabriel Moretti will never let me go.

And neither does my past.