Chapter 1 The Warning

CHAPTER THREE: The Warning

Elena

"You were talking to him?" Sophia hissed, dragging me into the back pantry.

I blinked, still rattled. "He just asked my name."

"Just?" she whispered sharply, eyes wide. "Elena, that's Leonardo De Luca."

The name felt like a slap.

I'd heard it before, in whispers. In late-night news reports about unexplained murders. In rumors about a man who owned half the city, and crushed the rest under his heel.

My heart sank. "You're sure?"

"Everyone here knows. He funds this charity to clean his name, but his hands are soaked in blood. He's dangerous, Elena. Stay away."

I swallowed. The echo of his voice still clung to my skin. "I didn't do anything."

"That's the problem. You don't have to."

---

Leonardo

She was warned.

Of course she was. People talk. They always talk when they're afraid.

Let them.

Fear was a useful thing. It kept the rats in line. It made people predictable.

But Elena... she was different.

She hadn't flinched when I stepped close. She hadn't simpered or begged or flirted.

She stood.

And something about that-about her-burned deeper than I expected.

I lit a cigar and stared out at the city from the top balcony, already drafting the next steps in my mind.

A name. An address. A family situation.

She was trying to protect someone.

Good. That gave me leverage.

And I always took what I wanted.

With or without permission.