Alex's desperation dragged him into the lion's den—the Moranos, sworn enemies of Alessandro's family.
The air was thick with tension as whiskey burned down his throat, but it wasn't the drink that sealed the night—it was blood.
"Forty percent," Alex said, his voice steady despite the storm inside him. "That's my offer. Help me bring Alessandro down… and it's yours."
A dangerous silence followed.
Then—
A slow, cruel smile spread across the lips of the Moranos' envoy, Victor.
"Deal."
Victor leaned back, eyes glinting with amusement as he delivered the message.
"Tell him…" he said lazily, swirling his drink, "the King wants a meeting."
His smile sharpened.
"Alone."
The message reached Alessandro within minutes.
Meet at the docks. Come alone. You've got ten minutes.
For a moment, the room went still.
Then—
Alessandro laughed.
Low. Cold. Dangerous.
"He's playing with fire ."
His eyes darkened, a storm rising within them.
"And I'll make sure he burns."
At the docks…
The night was waiting
And so was war.
The Devil at the Docks
The docks lay in eerie silence, swallowed by thick fog that curled and twisted like restless spirits. Not a single soul in sight… except death, waiting patiently.
Footsteps echoed.
Alessandro emerged from the shadows, alone—just as requested. His sharp eyes swept the area, missing nothing. Every flicker of movement, every whisper of wind… calculated.
Then—
A slow clap.
Victor Morano stepped forward, his figure cutting through the mist, a cruel smile playing on his lips.
"Alessandro… you're cornered."
A pause.
Calm. Unbothered.
Alessandro reached into his coat, pulled out a cigar, and lit it with steady hands. The flame briefly illuminated his cold, unreadable face.
He took a slow drag… then exhaled.
"What do you want, Victor?"
Victor's grin widened, predatory.
"Alex gave us forty percent," he said, voice dripping with satisfaction. "Join us… or die."
Silence.
Then—
A low, chilling laugh escaped Alessandro's lips. Not fear… not panic… but pure mockery.
"You think I'd bow to you?"
The air shifted.
Victor's expression darkened instantly, his patience thinning.
"You have five minutes to decide."
Click.
A gun was pressed against Alessandro's head from behind.
The fog thickened.
The tension snapped tight.
But Alessandro… didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Didn't flinch
Instead, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips—
As if…
He was the one in control.