he night air in Milan was heavy, smelling of rain-soaked asphalt and danger. Adeline followed Donovan silently, each step a test of her courage. Tonight's mission was high stakes: intercept a rival faction attempting to encroach on Donovan's territory. The shadows of abandoned warehouses stretched long and dark, and every sound—the clatter of crates, distant footsteps—kept her on edge.As they approached the rendezvous point, a voice cut through the tension:"Adel?!" Rory's shout shattered the careful silence. She emerged from behind a stack of crates, soaked from the rain, eyes wide with panic and urgency. "What are you doing here? We have to leave—now!"Adeline froze. Part of her longed to run, to leave everything behind and escape with her childhood friend. The memories of their laughter, their shared secrets, tugged at her heart. But then she saw Donovan in the shadows—calm, dark, and commanding. Her loyalty, her fear, her desire for him anchored her."I can't," she said softly, voice tight with conflicting emotions. "I… I have to stay."Rory's face twisted in disbelief. "Stay? Are you crazy? This isn't a game! He'll kill you!"Adeline's thoughts began to spiral. Her mind wandered to Rory's plea, the fear in her eyes, the friendship they had shared. Her hesitation made her falter. She stumbled slightly, distracted, and for a split second, her focus on the mission wavered.Donovan's eyes narrowed, piercing her like a blade. "Adel," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Focus!"Her heart skipped. She realized she had almost ruined the mission. One careless step could have exposed them, alerted the rival faction, or worse, cost lives. Her palms grew sweaty, and she forced herself to concentrate, but the image of Rory—betrayed, hurt—refused to leave her mind."I… I'm sorry," she whispered under her breath, trying to steady herself, but Donovan's patience had limits."Sorry doesn't save lives!" he snapped, stepping closer. His dark eyes were storms of fury. "Do you understand the gravity of what we're doing? One mistake—just one—and you're done. Do you want to fail me? Fail this family?"Adeline swallowed, shaking. "No," she murmured. "I… I won't fail again.""You'd better not," he hissed, leaning so close she could feel his breath. "Your thoughts are a liability. This isn't about feelings. This isn't about Rory, or anyone else. This is survival. And right now, you belong to me and this world. Do you understand?""Yes," she whispered, voice trembling.The moment was broken when Rory, desperate and disbelieving, took a step closer. "Adel… please! You can still leave with me!"Adeline's chest tightened. She shook her head firmly. "No. I… I can't. I made my choice."Rory's eyes filled with hurt and fury. "You're choosing him? Choosing this… this life over me?""Yes," Adeline said, her voice firm despite the knot in her chest. "This is my world now. And I belong here."Rory's lips pressed into a thin line, and with a final glare, she turned and disappeared into the night. "I'm done with you, Adel. Dead to me."The finality of her words hit Adeline like a blow. Rory—the one constant in her life—was gone. The guilt gnawed at her, but when she looked at Donovan, standing silently, his presence suffocating and commanding, she knew she had crossed a line with no turning back.The mission resumed, but Adeline's mind was a storm. Every step, every movement had to be perfect. Her hesitation earlier had nearly cost them everything. She fought to suppress thoughts of Rory, forcing herself to watch Donovan, learn his methods, anticipate his commands.When the rival faction appeared, she nearly froze again—her mind still haunted by Rory's betrayal. A crate tipped slightly under her foot, a small sound—but enough. Donovan turned sharply, eyes blazing with fury. "Adel! Focus, now!"Adeline snapped into action, heart hammering. She moved with precision, following his commands to the letter, but the fear of disappointing him—and the memory of almost compromising the mission—made every nerve taut.By the time the rival faction was subdued, silence hung over the warehouse. Adeline's chest heaved, sweat mingling with the rain, and Donovan's gaze fell on her, dark and unreadable."You almost ruined everything," he said finally, his voice low, dangerous, and laced with something that made her stomach twist. "Do not let your emotions cloud your judgment again. Do you understand?""Yes," she whispered, trembling. "I… I understand.""Good," he said, brushing a hand briefly against her arm—not a comfort, but a claim. "Because you belong to this world now, Adel. And to me. One slip like that again, and there will be consequences."Adeline nodded silently, the weight of the night pressing down on her. Rory's betrayal, the near-failure, Donovan's anger—all of it seared into her mind. She realized then that she had truly entered the darkness. There was no going back. She had chosen him, the mafia, and the perilous life that came with it. And deep down, despite the fear, a part of her… wanted it.
