Chapter 2 The Devil You Know

Luciana Fester hated late-night phone calls.

They were never good news. There always was a fire to put out, a deal to negotiate, or some last-minute revelation that meant s

more hours spent going through case files instead of sleeping. This one came from her boss's burner line that was a sign in itself that it wasn't just another request for an update on one of her cases

"This is a high-profile case" Paulson had said, his voice sharp with something close to panic. "The Romano case is more complicated than we thought. Play it smart, keep it clean, and whatever you do don't let this blow out of proportion."

She'd almost laughed, if only he knew how much more of a scene she planned on making.

As if keeping things quiet was still an option.

Luciana hung up without promising anything. She never promised what she couldn't guarantee. If danger was what it took to find her father then the Romano family could do their worst.

....

Outside the courthouse, the sun was setting and people filled the most heading back home after a long day of work. Luciana clutched her purse tighter as she crossed the street, ignoring the itch crawling down her spine-the one that said someone was watching.

She didn't hear the footsteps behind her until she was halfway to the bus stop.

"Careful, Fester. Someone might think you've got enemies."

She jolted, startled by the sudden presence just behind her and without hesitation she swung her purse.

Alexander Romano stepped out of the way smoothly avoiding the purse meant for his face. He wore a casual fit with rolled-up sleeves and a familiar arrogance. No jacket, no tie but he still maintained his smirk.

"What do you want?" she asked, not slowing her pace.

He matched her stride easily.

"Can't I just enjoy a nice walk with my favorite prosecutor?"

"You're not charming."

"Maybe not. But I'm persistent."

"Persistent is a polite word for annoying," she said coolly. "Except you are here to tell me of your plans to admit to the charges against you I'd rather you not be around me"

Alexander chuckled. "You wound me."

"I hope so."

They walked in silence for a few minutes, the city was buzzing around them. Soon the nightlife would take over and it would become even more busy. .

Luciana wasn't a big fan of crowds, she wasn't good with people they were too complicated and twisted for her especially people like Alexander Romano.

"I liked the way you handled yourself today," he said eventually. "You've got teeth. The courtroom could use more sharks."

She didn't take the bait. "Did you attend my trial just so you could brag and fish for compliments. That's sad."

"Not a compliment," Alexander replied easily his smirk never fading "An observation. Most people flinch around my name. You don't."

"Should I?"

He stopped walking. She noticed it a second too late and had to turn back to face him.

"No," he said. "You shouldn't. But most do."

Luciana studied him for a moment. Whenever she saw him in the courtroom, he was all show smooth lines and smug smiles. Out here, he was quieter, sharper more like someone who'd learned a long time ago that power wasn't about volume rather it was about silence. About knowing exactly when to speak, and when to let other people sweat.

She didn't like that he intrigued her.

"You think being underestimated is a strength," she said.

"I know it is."

"That's dangerous."

"I'm not the dangerous one not to you" Alexander said. "Not yet."

"And that's supposed to reassure me?"

He shrugged. "Depends. Are you afraid of what I might become?"

She took a step closer, chin tilted up. "No. Is there any reason i should be worried about an honest transparent buisness man." Sarcasm dripped off every word she spoke.

For a second, something shifted in his expression. A flicker of real interest-or maybe real offense.

"You don't know me, Fester."

"I know more than you think" she said. "I know your family and what it does. That's enough."

"Maybe," he said softly. "But files lie. People lie. Sometimes, even blood lies."

She didn't respond to that. He didn't expect her to.

They reached the bus stop a few minutes later.

Alexander stopped beside her

"I didn't take you for the public transport type" she said a cue for him to get lost.

"I could say the same about you. Why don't i give you a ride back home we can catch up on my case. Who knows having me around might help a lot."

She gave him a long, unimpressed look. "Why so you can get my address or maybe kill me and make it look like an accident"

She was at this point thinking to get a taxi, but his voice stopped her halfway.

"You made a mistake today."

She glanced back at him. "Did I?"

"You assumed I care about winning."

"And you don't?"

"I care about control," he said. "Winning's just a means to that end."

"And yet you lost."

He smiled again a slow, amused, infuriating smile. "Did I?"

She watched him walk away, his figure disappearing as he moved farther.

**

Luciana unlocked her door, stepped inside, and bolted it behind her. All four locks. Then she stood there, hand on the knob, heart steady but mind racing.

Alexander Romano wasn't just dangerous.

He was complicated she still couldn't figure his role asides being the heir of the Romano family nothing she dug into enlightened her on who he was.

...

The next morning, Luciana sat at her desk, nursing a black coffee and trying to ignore the fact that she'd only gotten four hours of sleep.

Her inbox was a mess. Her phone kept buzzing. Paulson had already sent three texts reminding her that "The Romano family is a political landmine watch your step." As if she needed the warning.

Her phone buzzed again.

Unknown Number: Your cross-exam was impressive yesterday. Still thinking about it.

She stared at the screen, jaw tightening. He did not just text her. Was this his way of getting into her head.

Luciana tossed her phone on the desk and opened the Romano case file again. She wasn't going to play his game. She had to find her dad there was no time to exchange words.

Her phone buzzed for the third time and she was just about to call the number and curse Alexander till he dropped dead on the other end when she saw it was from a different person.

Keep digging and soon it will be others digging your grave.