da's

sassinations in three years. Who hasn't heard of the Black Rose? As for me knowing that you are Black Rose, you

e need to kill Peter?" I demanded

need you for is to help me find my father's killer, retrieve the cryp

ell have you gotte

tage of it and look me in the eye while I'm talking." He growled and

t, I made up my mind but I won't do the

but the men that alighted from the other cars earlier with F

ored them and walked away peacefully not thinki

my head and tears came rolling down my cheeks. All

He's gone? J

away and focused on the issue

stood by me. Ever since I met him years ago and still had a

who killed Peter. I

da,

ged to open the door and entered the house. When I got to Mom's room, there

I wailed as hot tears poure

lay not faraway. "Francesco, you had b

there. More surprises awaits you," he sang which m

pay. I walked into the kitchen and grabbed two knives

~

ering like the haunted memories of the high-profile t

black suits. My fists clenched at my sides, desperate for

r. My launched myself at them and attacked them bru

me was unnervingly still. The air was thick with te

's voice sliced through the room,

no see. Can you see who you are? Ki

to his direction, his wo

at settled deep within my soul. My legs gave way, my chest constricting, eve

t the sharp ache in my lungs, unable to scream

y from me-was my mother.

arrogance that bordered on insanity. He stood there like a god, looking down o

" The word tore through me as I cradled her body, my fingers tremblin

h a sadistic delight. "Isn't that the best surprise ever?" His voice dripped with mockery. "Perhaps

sco?" My voice cracked, barely able to contain the storm wit

ce, right? I never thought I would see you cry like this. After all, you've taken the same toll on others. What do you

aid nothing. I could barely look at him, my

d I." He paused for a moment, clearly savoring my pain. "I know what you can do, but I

of the Dante family-Mafia. We control the hardest drugs in the market. But it's not just that. There are bigger thing

unding in my ears. "No, Francesco.

e barked out an order. "Time's

body was weak, my spirit drained by the grief, and I could barely hold my

ing dragged away, out of my reach, disapp

me. I darted for the table, grabbing t

was faster. His hand shot out, grabbing mine, and be

eyes open. A primal scream tore through me

ow, mocking applause. My hand instinctively went to my head,

d see Francesco standing there, a

oring its catch. "Hope the journey wasn't too stressful." H

"Do you think this is a joke?" My voice cracked, my

le never faltering. "I'm not here for

e hand, a tablet in the other. "Take this,"

atever you're doing!" I struggled to stand, to escape him, but the weakness fr

liberate slowness, he reached for a small black bottle from the t

cupping my chin with his cold, cruel hands. His fingers dug into my skin

I couldn't stop him. The poison-Deadly Nightshade. I had used it before to end my ta

left is a y

e, watching with sadistic pleasure a

my mouth, and I could do nothing but cry. My vision blurred as

like a death sentence. "Sometimes, the person you once loved may end up

really was," I whispered, my v

e no comfort to offer you. Your little p

managed to say, my voice barel

the key when you have a willful mindset. I know you have h

as the words left my lips, doubt

ured whiskey into a glass, savoring the slow, deliberate motion. He

by the devil's grace." My words hung

ilence, each second pressing clo

flickered-small, fragil

regret every moment of it. I would make him b

they used to whisper my name like a curs