Chapter 3: Revenge

Ana

Rage burned inside me like an uncontrollable fire. Ever since my uncle Marco revealed the truth about my father's death, only one thing occupied my mind: revenge. I was willing to do anything to avenge him. His death would not be in vain.

Paolo Di Marco, the head of the rival mafia, was responsible for my father's death. And I, as his heir, had the obligation to avenge his death. It was as simple and complicated as that. Of course, this delayed my plans, but the time had come to fulfill my destiny.

My bodyguard escorted me to the secret place where I would meet with Paolo. It was a tradition, from what I was told. Mafia leaders had to meet alone. It didn't make much sense to me. Either one could easily kill the other.

The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

"Be careful, Ana," Dante said in his deep, gravelly voice, the one that characterized him so well. "This man is dangerous."

I nodded, feeling a chill run down my spine. Despite Dante's warning, I felt a strange sense of security when he was near. I guess that's the point of having a bodyguard.

"I'll be fine. I know your job is to worry about me, but have some faith in me."

"I do, but that doesn't mean I don't care about you."

We arrived at an abandoned building on the outskirts of the city. Dante led me through a maze of dark passages until we reached an empty room, illuminated only by a faint moonlight.

"Ready, Ana?"

"Of course, as if I haven't been through things like this before."

The truth is, I was terrified, but I wouldn't let him see it. No one could think that the new mafia leader is someone who is afraid of everything.

A shiver ran down my spine as I crossed the threshold of the abandoned building. Darkness enveloped me, and the only sound I could hear was the echo of my own footsteps.

I cautiously walked through the labyrinth of corridors, guided by the faint light that filtered through the cracks. The air was thick with dust and humidity, and a putrid smell made my stomach churn.

Upon reaching the indicated room, I stopped in my tracks. Paolo Di Marco's figure stood out against the dim light, his face obscured by a cruel smile.

"Ana, darling," he spoke with a rough voice, "you finally made it. I was wondering how much longer you'd take."

"Well, here I am. Let's get to the point."

"A woman who knows what she wants, I like that. It seems the wait is over."

His gaze fell on me, scanning my body brazenly. A shiver of disgust ran down my skin, and he just licked his lips. I couldn't tell if he was looking at me with fascination or if he was just getting used to the idea that I would be his next toy. Whatever it was, I wouldn't let any of that happen.

"Thanks for agreeing to come."

"The truth is, I have nothing to talk to you about."

"Come on, Ana, don't be so formal. We're friends, remember?"

Friends. The word tasted bitter in my mouth. Friends who betray. Friends who cause your mother's death. Maybe Paolo and I grew up together, but we stopped being friends a long time ago. If he was ever considered part of my family, I regret it.

I clenched my fists, struggling to control the anger that threatened to consume me.

"We're not friends, Paolo," I assured him. "Not anymore."

His smile faded, replaced by an expression of fury.

"We promised we'd be there for each other. Do you forget that?"

"You killed my mother. Do you forget that?" I repeated, mimicking his tone of voice.

"I've explained a thousand times what happened and I..."

"Enough, I don't want excuses. I've opened my eyes now. I've seen the kind of monster you are."

His eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I saw a flash of fear in his gaze.

"Don't underestimate me, Ana, because you don't know who you're messing with."

"I know perfectly well," I smiled, knowing that I was in control now. "And I'm here to show you that I'm not afraid of you. It doesn't matter if you're a mafia leader or an experienced assassin, to me you're still the same immature child you've always been."

Paolo laughed, a laugh that sounded like a wolf's howl.

"What are you going to brag about, Ana?" he asked sarcastically. "You have no idea what you're talking about. Remember, until recently you were still head over heels in love with me."

I stepped even closer until I was inches from him, showing him my firmness.

"And I remember that you were also in love with me. Hide it all you want, I know I still have the same effect on you."

"It's not true."

"Don't underestimate me," I warned him. "I am my father's heir, and I have the strength and intelligence to destroy you if I want to."

"So what are you waiting for?"

His face hardened, and his eyes filled with hatred. It's clear that Paolo and I can never have a stable relationship again, not after all the damage he has done to my family.

"Very well, Ana. Let's play your game, but first listen to my suggestion."

He moved closer to me, his lips brushing against mine.

"Nothing you offer can tempt me."

I could already feel my pulse racing, I just wished he would step away because I wouldn't be the first to back down.

"I've come to propose a deal. Let's unite and rule both mafias as one."

I felt disgusted by his offer.

"Never," I tried to sound firm. "I would never ally myself with you."

"You will, Ana. Sooner or later you will give in."

Surrendering this time, I took a step back, feeling a lump in my throat.

"You won't force me to do anything."

"We'll see about that." He smiled cruelly.

He turned and started walking towards the exit.

"Wait," I murmured.

He stopped and looked at me with a mocking smile, although deep down I could tell he was still hoping I would accept.

"What do you want now, Ana?"

"I want you to know that this won't end here. I swear I'll destroy you."

His eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I saw a flash of fear in his gaze.

"Go ahead, Ana. Try it."

He turned and walked out of the room, leaving me alone in the darkness. I stood there motionless for a few minutes, breathing heavily. Anger and hatred consumed me from the inside.

But also an unbreakable determination. I had sworn to my mother that I would avenge her death, and I would not rest until I fulfilled my promise.

I walked out of the abandoned building with my heart pounding in my chest. The sunlight hit me like a fist in the face, but it wasn't enough to dispel the darkness that surrounded me.

Dante was waiting for me in the car, his face serious and worried.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded, unable to speak. I got into the car and sank into the seat, feeling an overwhelming exhaustion.

Dante started the car and began to drive in silence. I didn't know what to say. The conversation with Paolo had left me shaken, filled with a mixture of anger, hatred, and fear.

Finally, Dante broke the silence.

"What happened?" he asked in a soft voice.

I told him everything, from Paolo's proposal to my oath of revenge. Dante listened to me in silence, without interrupting, and when I finished, he looked at me with a sad expression in his eyes.

"Ana. This is not easy. But you have to be strong."

I nodded, feeling tears welling up in my eyes.

"I'm not alone, am I?"

I was trying to convince myself of that. Dante looked at me with an intensity that took my breath away.

"You'll never be alone, not as long as I'm here for you."

I smiled at him, a weak and trembling smile. At that moment, I knew I could count on him.

Soon the sadness turned into anger. How could I have backed down from Paolo? How could I have been the first to lower my guard?

I arrived home with fury burning in my veins. The encounter with Paolo had left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.

I had wanted with all my might to finish him off right then and there, but I couldn't. Now, I was in my room, staring into space.

My uncle Marco entered the room without knocking, as usual.

"How did it go?"

I looked at him with a mixture of anger and frustration.

"It didn't go as I expected,"

"What happened?"

I told him everything about Paolo's proposal and my refusal. My uncle listened in silence, his brows furrowed.

"Don't worry, Ana, we'll find a way to defeat him."

I didn't respond. I didn't feel at all calm. I got out of bed and headed to my office. I had a lot of work to do.

Now that I was taking my role as mafia leader seriously, I couldn't afford to waste time. So I sat down at my desk and turned on my computer.

I had to analyze the situation, develop a plan, find Paolo's weaknesses. I wouldn't rest until I had defeated him.

Not until I had avenged my father's death.