Chapter 5 The Crow's Invitation

The private jet soared above the clouds, sleek and silent, cloaked under Castellano security codes. Inside, Anastasiya sat by the window, a storm building in her chest.

Italy.

She hadn't been back since the day she watched her father's empire burn. Since the day she became a ghost in the mafia world.

Now she was returning-not as a slave.

But as a threat.

"Still thinking of backing out?" Damien's voice cut through the silence as he walked over, fixing his cufflinks.

She turned to him slowly. "I don't back out. I destroy."

He arched a brow. "You'll need more than fire in your voice to survive what's coming. The Council doesn't take kindly to secrets or orphans."

Her lips curled into a small smile. "Good. I brought both."

Damien took the seat beside her, watching her closely. There was something dangerous about her now-sharp and coiled, like a blade disguised as silk.

He handed her a folder.

Inside: photos of every person on the Council.

One in particular made her jaw tighten.

Niccolò Rossi.

Her father's former right hand.

The one who held her hand as a child.

The one who smiled as he signed her life away.

"He'll recognize me," she murmured.

"Then make him regret it," Damien replied. "You're not that scared little girl anymore."

She looked up. "No... I'm worse."

---

Flashback – Russia, 10 Years Ago

Young Anastasiya ran barefoot through the halls of her family estate, laughter echoing behind her. Until gunshots cracked through the night.

She hid under the bed.

Whispers. Footsteps. Screams.

Then silence.

When the smoke cleared, the only people left were the ones who had sold her. And they had taken her away like trash.

---

Present Day – Italy, Underground Tribunal

Anastasiya walked beside Damien, her body draped in a deep red velvet gown. The dress clung to her like armor, and with her hair in loose waves, no one recognized the broken girl from years ago.

But Niccolò did.

As they approached the oval council table, his eyes narrowed.

"Who's the girl?" he asked coldly.

Damien's grip tightened on her waist. "My consort."

Anastasiya smiled sweetly. "You can call me Ana."

Niccolò's smile faltered.

She knew he recognized her.

And that terrified him.

---

Back in the Mansion – That Night

The meeting ended in silence and tension. Niccolò hadn't spoken another word.

Back in the mansion, Damien poured himself a drink while Anastasiya leaned on the balcony, heart pounding.

"He knows," she said.

"I saw his hands shake," Damien replied. "You rattled him."

"Then let's shake harder."

He turned, impressed. "You're serious about this revenge?"

She faced him. "Dead serious."

He stepped closer.

"I can give you everything you need, Ana. But that comes at a price."

Her gaze held his.

"What price?"

"You."

---

A Beat of Silence

"You want me as payment?" she whispered, stepping back.

"No," he said, jaw tight. "I want your loyalty. Your fire. And if... something more comes out of this, I won't fight it."

She studied him. He wasn't joking.

But before she could respond-

The power cut. Lights out.

A red light blinked on.

Security breach.

---

Somewhere in the Shadows

Mateo stood in the tech room, fingers flying over the controls.

"She's gotten too close," he whispered to the woman behind him.

"She needs to die," the voice replied.

"No," Mateo said, darkly. "She needs to remember who killed her mother."

---

Back in the Hallway – Anastasiya's POV

She moved fast, remembering every security point Damien had taught her. But someone was already waiting in the hallway.

A man in a ski mask.

He lunged at her.

She dodged, kicking him hard. He fell-but not before slashing her arm.

Blood dripped to the marble floor.

Damien tackled the attacker from behind, slamming him against the wall.

"Who sent you!?" he roared.

The man only smiled... then bit down on something in his mouth.

Cyanide.

Dead in seconds.

Anastasiya collapsed against the wall, shaking. Blood. Memories. The smell of smoke. It was all too familiar.

Damien crouched beside her.

"Breathe, Ana. I've got you."

She gripped his shirt. "They're coming for me. They know who I am."

He nodded. "Good. Let them come."

---

Final Scene – Hidden Location

Niccolò stood over an old portrait of Anastasiya as a child.

His assistant entered. "Sir... confirmation. She's alive."

"I know," he muttered. "And if she's here... the secrets buried with Orlov are about to rise."

He picked up a phone.

"Kill Damien Castellano. Before she falls in love with him."