Chapter 37: Dangerous Alliance
Enzo stood alone in the shadow of an old fishing shack, one hand in his coat pocket, the other tapping his phone screen.
The black book was inside his bag, wrapped in oilskin, its weight like a live heart thudding against his side.
Tonight wasn’t about survival.
Tonight was about becoming untouchable.
The call connected with a faint click.
"Put me through to your boss," Enzo said, His voice low and firm.
A pause..... Then another voice came on. Smooth as silk over steel.
"Valerio Atlan." enzo asked
The name alone was poison.
Luca Morano’s longest-running enemy, the kind of man who could make you disappear without leaving a shadow.
Valerio didn’t just rule the Atlan group.... he was the Atlan group.
"I hear you have been looking for something," Enzo drawled, letting arrogance bleed into every words.
"I hear you have it," Valerio replied, his tone measured.
Enzo’s smile was slow, deliberate. "Oh, I do. The book... The great book". He boosted.
There was silence on the line, heavy enough to feel like a hand pressing on his chest.
When Valerio finally spoke, his voice was a shade darker.
"Name your price." he said.
"I can’t... Just tell me how much you are willing to pay ". Enzo replied.
"Three million dollars, Cash." Valerio said.
No hesitation, no tremor. Inside, Enzo knew that sum could buy him a new life... fast cars, big houses, make many beautiful and curvy women whose lips tasted like champagne be around him.
But he also knew Valerio.. He never showed need, he needed power, and will be willing to give him more money.
Enzo laughed softly, but there was no humor in it.
"Three million dollars? You’re either not brave... or stupid." he said.
Enzo didn’t say any word again. He just let the silence grow, picturing Valerio on the other end. calculating, testing, waiting.
Finally, Valerio spoke again. "Three million dollars in cash. And... two medium chests of jewelry. Handpicked. Rubies, emeralds, diamonds, the kind that will never touch a market. Worth more than your asking price."
Enzo’s heartbeat picked up, but he kept his tone lazy. "That works for me."
"But," Valerio’s voice sharpened, the edge of a blade sliding into the conversation, "if you try to play me, Enzo... I will make sure your body is never found."
Enzo smirked, shifting the phone to his other ear. "No games. You’ll get the book. I’ll get my price. Everyone walks away happy."
"Location," Valerio demanded.
"There’s a cave at the base of Mount Argento. Hidden, no foot traffic. You’ll like it."
"We’ll come in a private jet," Valerio said. "Ten men, and I’ll be there myself. You hand it over, and we will path or different ways and disappear."
Enzo ended the call and leaned against the wall, exhaling slowly.
The dockside shadows seemed to bend around him.
He felt invincible.
The Moranos? Dead to him. Loyalty? A myth.
He had outplayed everyone.
He ran a hand over the leather-bound book in his bag, his fingers tingling at the thought of the fortune waiting for him.
Who’s the king now? He boasted. Who’s the boss? he asked himself, grinning in the darkness.
"Me, Enzo. I’m the King of kings."
*****
The Firenze Grand was lit like a palace, its gold chandeliers spilling light across the marble floors.
Daisy paused in the doorway, adjusting the strap of her wine-red dress.
Every eye in the room seemed to track her as she walked in.
At a corner table, Romeo stood, his suit cut sharp enough to slice through air.
"You came," he said with a faint smile.
"You asked," Daisy replied, arching a brow.
"I was curious." Romeo said grinning.
They ordered wine, the kind that left your lips stained just enough to notice, and talked over slow, exquisite courses.
Romeo had the easy charm of a man who would never had to beg for attention, but his eyes ... those dark, watchful eyes .... missed nothing.
Between the second glass and dessert, his voice dropped into something quieter.
"Have you heard about Seraphina?" she asked him.
Romeo tilted his head. "Not recently. Why did you asked ?"
"She got a call," he said, leaning in. "From someone named Enzo.
He was demanding a ridiculous price for a certain... book." he said
Daisy’s brows lifted just enough to feign surprise. "A book?" she asked lightly. "What could be worth that kind of money?"
Romeo’s gaze held hers. "Not just any book. This one’s tied to the Morano empire. It’s deepest history, its most guarded secrets.
Rumors say it’s not just valuable... it’s dangerous. If Enzo’s asking for that much, it’s worth ten times more."
Daisy swirled her wine, masking her interest behind a skeptical smile. "And how would Enzo have it?" she asked.
"Probably stumbled on it while running from the Moranos," Romeo said. "Or maybe he took it from them on purpose. Either way, it’s a betrayal."
"And Seraphina?" Daisy asked. "Is she after it also?"
Romeo shook his head. "She says it’s not worth the risk."
Daisy leaned forward, lowering her voice until it was a whisper.
.
"Then convince your boss it is worth it.
If someone else gets it first, you’ll both regret it." Daisy said, trying to sound serious.
Romeo studied her, a slow smile pulling at his lips. "You’re dangerous, Daisy."
"I know," she murmured, and raised her glass.
******
At the Hospital, where donato was taken to, for treatments.
The smell of antiseptic was sharp enough to sting the nose.
Machines beeped steadily in the background, a thin, mechanical reminder that Donato was still alive.
He lay motionless under the harsh hospital lights, his skin pale, lips dry, chest rising and falling in shallow rhythm.
The doctor stood at the foot of the bed, his voice clipped. "He’s in a coma. We’ll need significant funds for full treatment. Brain surgery later, minor treatments for now to keep him stable." The doctor concluded.
Maria Nathaniel (Jackson’s mother) crossed her arms. "Then will have to find his family. He said they were wealthy,, Let them pay."
Jackson’s father mr Nathaniel, nodded slowly. "We track them down. If they have money, they can afford it. And maybe we take our share for helping."
The doctor didn’t look surprised. "When the money is ready, I can operate. Until then, I’ll try and keep him on treatments."
Maria gave a cold smile. "Then tomorrow, we start the search."
******
The Morano mansion was quiet.
The golden light from the setting sun streamed through the windows, casting warm patterns across the living room floor.
Alessia sat curled on the sofa, the hum of the fridge and the faint ticking of the wall clock the only sounds.
She was halfway through a book when her phone buzzed against the coffee table.
She reached for it without thinking.
The message on the screen made her lips part.
It reads: Baby, let’s meet at Nuk View Hotel. I booked room 403 for us. A special day to spice up our previous fight. I love you now and always.
Her chest softened.
It’s her Luca.
Her safe haven. The man who could be both devil and angel in the same heartbeat.
She imagined him there already, waiting, maybe with that rare smile he only gave her when no one else was watching.
Maybe this was his way of saying he couldn’t stay mad at her.
*****
Alessia stood before the tall gilt-edged mirror, her fingers smoothing the silken folds of the deep blue sequin gown.
It is Luca’s favorite.
He love how it clung to her in all the ways that made his dark eyes turn molten—skimming her waist, embracing the swell of her hips, flowing like liquid midnight to the floor.
The plunging neckline hinted at temptation without surrendering too much, just as he liked.
She had chosen it without hesitation.
Her touch lingered over her cheekbones as she dusted on the faintest blush, her lips painted a soft rose that whispered more than it screamed.
The mascara framed her eyes in shadows, just enough to hold his gaze when he looked at her.
when his lips inevitably curved into that sinful, knowing smile.
She could already feel the ghost of his hands on her waist, hear the low timbre of his voice as he whispered those words meant for her alone. Words that stole her breath...
Words that tasted of promises and love.
In her mind, she was back in that moment by the balcony, the city lights glinting in the distance, his mouth brushing the shell of her ear.
His breath had been warm, his hands firm, his presence wrapping around her like velvet and steel.
She couldn’t wait to see him soon.
Her pulse quickened. She ran one last glance over her reflection, curves, hair, smile—every detail perfected for him.
She wanted him to look at her tonight and remember why no other woman could ever be compare to her.
Not even the one claiming to be carrying his child.
But as she reached for her phone, heart skipping at the thought of his arrival, she read the messages he sent and smiled again... Blushing so much.
Little did she know that the message that had made her heart race and made her face blushed... wasn’t from Luca Morano at all....