That evening, long after the office lights had dimmed and Elena had gone home, Vincenzo Marino's double life awakened.
The sleek black car that carried him from the city didn't stop at his penthouse. Instead, it wound through darkened alleys and industrial backstreets, arriving at an unmarked warehouse guarded by men in black suits.
The moment he stepped out, the atmosphere shifted. The CEO was gone.
Now, he was Il Fantasma—the masked Don of the Marino syndicate.
"Boss," his men greeted in unison, bowing their heads as he passed.
Vincenzo adjusted the black mask over his face, his sharp eyes glinting with menace. He walked into the dimly lit hall where his top lieutenants were gathered around a long table. The smell of smoke and gunmetal lingered in the air.
"Report," he ordered, his voice carrying the authority of a man no one dared defy.
Adrian, his ever-loyal right hand, stepped forward. "The Rossi family debts have been cleared as you commanded. Their records have been burned. From this day forward, no one in our organization will lay a finger on them."
The men exchanged glances, surprised.
One of the older lieutenants spoke up hesitantly. "Boss… forgive me, but why spare them? They owed us a significant sum. It sets a dangerous precedent."
The room grew tense, every man awaiting Vincenzo's reaction.
Slowly, Vincenzo removed his gloves and set them on the table. He leaned forward, his masked face inches from the trembling man.
"Do you question my decisions?" His tone was calm—deadly calm.
"N-no, Don Marino," the man stammered. "I only meant—"
A single look from Vincenzo silenced him.
"The Rossi family is off-limits. Anyone who dares touch them, even by mistake…" His voice dropped to a whisper, more terrifying than a shout. "…will answer to me personally."
The message was clear. The Rossi family was under his protection now. Not because of business. Because of her.
Adrian cleared his throat and handed Vincenzo a dossier. "There is another matter, Boss. A hit was attempted last night—at the Rossi girl's residence. A falling pot. Paid hands. It wasn't our men, but someone outside hired them."
Vincenzo's jaw tightened beneath the mask. He didn't need to ask who.
"Amara," he muttered, venom lacing the name.
Adrian nodded grimly. "Shall I handle it?"
Vincenzo's eyes burned with cold fire. "No. She's mine. No one touches her but me."
The men exchanged glances, realizing just how dangerous this woman named Elena must be. To stir such fury in their Don, she was no ordinary girl.
Vincenzo straightened, his mask glinting under the low light. "Spread the word. The Rossi family is untouchable. And as for Amara…" He let the threat hang in the air, sharp and deadly. "…she'll soon learn what happens when you try to hurt what belongs to me."
The hall echoed with murmurs of assent.
As he turned and strode into the shadows, Vincenzo's mind wasn't on his empire, his rivals, or even his enemies.
It was on Elena Rossi.
The girl who had no idea that the man who kissed her by moonlight… was the same masked king feared in every corner of the underworld.