**48 Hours Earlier**
The Dragon's Circle was filled with powerful figures from the mafia. Different groups met from around the world for an important meeting. The tension in the room was thick as everyone settled in, exchanging cold looks. My father, Knox Stanford, commanded attention like a king. His fierce presence made even the toughest criminals think twice. I stood beside him, stone faced and ready for anything.
This secret meeting had long been controlled by the Chase family. They are the top Mafia leader in the USA, Richard Chase was a master manipulator, easily swaying others with his smooth words. His son, Damien, was a man of few words, his silence bent knees, his stormy gray eyes scanning the crowd, calculating and intense. He had a charm, but his cold gaze sent chills through the room.
The Crown family, the second most powerful leader in the USA, acted like puppets for the Chase family, they have always bent their knees because that was the only thing keeping them in power while my family, the Stanford family, stood firm against challenges. My father's authority drew both respect and fear, creating a tense atmosphere that seemed to bother Richard.
"Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been a big problem for us," Axel from the Crown family said, his frustration clear. "They're blocking our supplies and making it hard to get shipments through. The new leader won't take a bribe; we already tried!"
The room fell silent.
"Who is this new leader?" my dad asked, concern in his voice.
Everyone held their breath.
"Blaze."
That name sent a chill through the room. Blaze was not just another enemy; he was a dangerous sociopath out to take down the three main mafia clans. With military training and skills in technology, he was a nightmare for anyone in his way.
I felt impatient, fiddling with the dagger at my hip, hungry for the thrill of tormenting the new recruits who had just arrived. "We need someone to deal with him," Richard said, looking around for volunteers.
"Who's up for the task?" he challenged, but no one spoke.
"Blaze is pretty scary," Axel admitted, his unease evident. I couldn't help but scoff; scary? Blaze was war itself—brilliant and ruthless. The room turned its attention to me, creating a spark of tension.
"Anything to add, Raven?" Richard asked. I shook my head, feeling the weight of expectation. But one person was still watching me—Damien. I quickly looked away; staring into his eyes felt like stepping closer to danger.
"We need someone skilled," Damien finally said, his voice cold and direct. "Someone who can charm their way out of tough situations." Everyone focused on me, and anger rose within me.
As the First Daughter of the third-largest mafia in the world, my upbringing was tough, with my father pushing me to my limits. I was trained to be a weapon, my looks a tool for trapping and eliminating anyone. They all knew I was more than just a pretty face; they understood I could cause real trouble. Yet my father had kept one secret from them—how much damage I could really do and where my limits were.