Chapter 1 Club

Chapter 1

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The bass pounded through the walls like a heartbeat, shaking the ground beneath Valentine's heels as she moved through the crowded nightclub. The De Luca family owned this place-one of the most notorious spots in the city, where deals were made, alliances forged, and rivals warned to stay in line.

Tonight, Valentine wasn't here for pleasure. She was here to make sure everything was running smoothly, just like her father ordered. Her presence alone sent a message: the De Lucas were always watching, always in control.

She moved with purpose, her ice-blue eyes scanning the room for anything out of place. A server passed by with a tray of drinks, but Valentine paid him no mind, more focused on the people gathered around the VIP section. A couple of her men were stationed there, nodding respectfully as she approached.

But then the crowd parted, and her blood ran cold.

Standing at the far end of the VIP lounge, leaning casually against the bar, was him. Dark hair, piercing eyes, and that lazy, arrogant smirk that made her blood boil. Matteo Romano.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Valentine hissed under her breath, signaling one of her men to stay alert.

Matteo caught her eye and raised his glass in a mocking salute, as if he owned the place. Fury burned in her chest as she pushed through the crowd, not caring about the whispers that followed.

When she finally stood before him, she didn't bother hiding her disdain. "You've got some nerve, Romano," she snarled.

Matteo took a slow sip of his whiskey, unfazed by the venom in her tone. "Nice to see you too, Valentine. Didn't expect such a warm welcome."

She barely kept herself from punching that smirk off his face. "You're trespassing. Last I checked, your family's territory doesn't include this club."

He shrugged, unfazed. "Just wanted to see if De Luca hospitality is as cold as they say. Looks like I was right."

Valentine leaned in, her voice low and sharp. "You're either stupid or suicidal. Which is it?"

Matteo's smirk faded, his eyes hardening. "Neither. Just curious why the princess herself is out playing guard dog. Your father doesn't trust his own men anymore?"

Her hand itched to reach for the gun strapped to her thigh, but she held back. "Don't push me, Romano. You're already on thin ice."

Suddenly, the tension spiked as Matteo dropped his glass onto the bar, the shattering sound drawing everyone's attention. In one fluid motion, he pulled his gun and pressed it to her forehead.

The room froze. Valentine didn't even flinch, her own gun already aimed at his chest. The bouncers tensed, unsure of whether to intervene.

Matteo's voice was a deadly whisper. "Your family's been poking around our docks. That's a declaration of war, Valentine."

She pressed the barrel harder into his chest, her lips curling into a sneer. "Funny. I was about to say the same thing about your men harassing our dealers. You trying to take over my turf?"

His eyes flashed with something dark and dangerous. "You wish."

Before she could respond, a gunshot rang out, deafeningly loud over the music. Someone screamed, and the room erupted into chaos. Matteo's gaze didn't leave hers, but they both hesitated, scanning the room for the source.

Valentine saw one of her men collapse to the floor, blood pooling around him. Panic rippled through the club, patrons scrambling for the exits. More gunshots followed, and the room became a war zone.

Matteo shoved her down behind the bar, ducking beside her as bullets sprayed overhead. "You set me up?" he snarled, eyes blazing with fury.

She glared back just as fiercely. "You think I'd risk my own men to take you out? Use your brain, Romano!"

Their backs pressed together as they exchanged fire with the unseen attackers. Valentine's heart pounded, adrenaline flooding her veins. She didn't know who was shooting or why, but the look on Matteo's face told her he didn't either.

When the gunfire finally ceased, the club was a wreck-broken glass, bullet holes, and bodies on the floor. Valentine holstered her gun, standing slowly and assessing the damage.

Matteo rose beside her, wiping a trickle of blood from his jaw. "Looks like someone wanted to send a message."

She glanced at him, tension still coiling between them like a live wire. "Someone who wants us at each other's throats. This wasn't your family?"

He shook his head, jaw clenched. "No. But I bet they're counting on us blaming each other."

Valentine's mind raced. Someone wanted to reignite the feud, maybe even take them both out at once. She hated the idea, but for now, there was only one way to survive this.

"We need to find out who's behind this," she said, her tone grudging. "Before they turn the city into a bloodbath."

Matteo hesitated, clearly hating the idea as much as she did. Finally, he gave a stiff nod. "Fine. But make no mistake, De Luca-this doesn't mean I trust you."

She shot him a cold glare. "Trust me? I wouldn't trust you to tie my shoes."

He smirked, and for a split second, something darkly amused flickered in his eyes. "Careful, princess. You might just fall for me."

Valentine scoffed, refusing to let him see how his words made her stomach flip. "In your dreams, Romano."

As sirens wailed in the distance, the uneasy alliance was sealed-not with words, but with the deadly understanding that they had no choice but to work together.

And if it killed her to trust him, so be it. She'd rather die than let the Romanos see her as weak.