The penthouse felt more like a cage than ever before. I paced the study, my mind racing. My hands rested over the safe that was now hiding Marina's USB.
I hadn't dared to open it yet. Damian had eyes everywhere. But honestly, that felt irrelevant now.
Because someone close to him, and to me, was leaking information. Whoever it was had already turned their back on us both.
I turned to the massive floor-to-ceiling window. From this height, the city below looked like it could be set ablaze with just a thought.
And maybe, I could.
Just then, the door creaked open.
"Unless you bring me the truth, you can leave." It was Vera. I paused, then heard her say, "Then, I'll stay."
I turned around, narrowing my eyes. I don't even know who you're working for anymore.
"I work for the one who wins." That doesn't sound like loyalty to me.
"It's not. It's survival."
I crossed the room, stopping just a foot away from her. *Is it you?*
She didn't flinch. "No."
But you know who it is.
"There are names, possibilities, but Damian hasn't confirmed anything yet."
Why haven't you?
"Because I'm waiting to see which side you choose."
I choose my side, and if anyone tries to use me again, including Damian, I'll watch their empire turn to ash.
A faint smile flickered on her lips. "You're not the girl Damian married."
No, that girl died the night my father did.
I reached for a sealed envelope on the desk and handed it to her.
Get this to Marina. It's a list of Damian's lieutenants. She'll know who to start with.
She nodded, taking it without hesitation. No questions asked.
As she was about to leave, she paused at the door.
"There's a name you should prepare yourself to hear." Without looking back, she added, "And it won't be Lucien."
The next morning, I found myself sitting across from Damian in the private lounge of his office. He looked composed, black shirt, sleeves rolled up, veins prominent in his forearms, and a fresh bruise on his knuckles.
Whatever fight he dealt with overnight, he'd won. Yet something about him seemed off.
I poured tea for both of us, a quiet ritual we never discussed.
"I'm tired of secrets," I said, getting straight to the point.
He took the teacup, his eyes narrowing. "Are you talking about my secrets or yours? I know you met with Marina. You didn't think I'd notice?"
If you knew, why didn't you stop me?
He sipped slowly, "Because I wanted to see what you'd do with the information she gave you."
And?
He set the cup down, his gaze piercing. "I think you're smarter than you let on. And more dangerous."
I folded my hands. "Do you know who the mole is?"
"Yes."
I held my breath. Then say it.
His eyes flickered to my lips before he finally spoke. "It's Enzo."
Silence crashed down around us.
Enzo. The young enforcer. Damian's protege. Loyal, gentle, at least for a mafia guy. He was the only one in Damian's circle who treated me like I wasn't just a pawn.
My throat tightened. *No, that doesn't make sense.
"It does," he said coldly. "He grew up with Lucien. They were like brothers before they became enemies. Enzo stayed loyal to me even after Lucien killed his sister. But hatred like that comes with a cost, and Lucien found Enzo's price."
I stood up, trembling. "How long?"
"Months, maybe a year. He kept it subtle, small things. Leaks in shipments, addresses, intel on you. He never fully turned you in. But it was enough."
I backed away. You knew. You let him stay around me, knowing that.
"I had to confirm it. I wanted to see how far he would go."
I stared at him, disbelief rising in me. So I was bait.
"You were always more than that. But yes. Now that I have proof, he'll be dead by tonight."
No.
The word slipped out before I could stop it.
His eyes narrowed. "No?"
I stepped closer. "Killing him solves nothing. We need leverage. Use him. Let Lucien think he's still feeding information. Feed him false intel, trap him."
He stared at me, then slowly nodded. "You're starting to think like me. That should scare you."
I did admit it, but honestly, it didn't hit me as hard as the thought of losing everything.
That night, I found myself alone in the master bedroom, my fingers grazing the edge of the ring Damian had slipped onto my finger just a few weeks back.
It had transformed from mere jewelry into a symbol of battle.
Then came a knock at the door.
I didn't bother to look up. "Come in."
Enzo walked in. I glanced up and immediately saw it in his eyes: guilt, shame, fear.
He knew I knew. "I came to say goodbye," he said softly.
So, it's true.
He nodded, his gaze on the floor. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I just didn't see another way."
You could've come to me, you could've trusted me.
"I couldn't trust anyone in this world, not until it was too late."
I stood up and walked over to him, close enough to catch the scent of gunpowder mixed with guilt clinging to his jacket.
Damian is giving you one last chance to fix this.
He blinked, clearly shocked. "He's not going to kill me?"
Not yet. But if you lie again, or even glance in Lucien's direction without permission, you're done. Got it?
He stared at me for a long moment, as if he couldn't recognize me anymore.
"Yes," he finally said.
"Then start talking."