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Master

The barrage of gunfire continued, each shot echoing in the confined space of the car. Annabelle remained crouched, pressing herself as low as she could, hoping the metal of the vehicle would be enough to protect her. Riccardo’s movements were swift and calculated, his every action fueled by a cold determination she hadn’t seen before.

He reached into the glove compartment with one hand while still firing with the other, pulling out a second gun. With a quick glance at Annabelle, he tossed it towards her.

“Take this,” he ordered, his voice sharp and commanding. “Just in case.”

Her hands shook as she caught the weapon, her fingers barely able to grip it. She had never held a gun before, let alone imagined she’d ever have to use one. But the fear and adrenaline pumping through her veins left her no time to think. She clutched it tightly, her knuckles turning white.

The gunfire stopped suddenly, leaving an eerie silence in the car. Annabelle stayed low, her breath shaky as she clutched the gun Riccardo had handed her. She couldn’t believe this was happening, she wasn’t supposed to be in a situation like this. But here she was, her heart racing, trying to hold onto the tiny bit of calm she had left.

Riccardo glanced over at her, his eyes sharp, calculating. “Stay here,” he said, his voice firm. Before she could reply, he pushed the door open and stepped out, moving quickly but carefully. Annabelle watched through the cracked windshield as he moved toward the men who had attacked them. There were three of them, all dressed in black, their faces as cold as stone.

She could hardly breathe as she watched Riccardo take down the first two with quick, deadly shots. The third man hesitated, and Riccardo didn’t waste any time. He was on him in a flash, knocking the gun out of his hand and forcing him to his knees. Annabelle couldn’t hear what Riccardo said, but whatever it was, it made the man’s face go pale. Then Riccardo fired, and the man fell to the ground, lifeless.

The danger seemed to be over, but Annabelle couldn’t shake the fear gripping her. Riccardo walked back to the car, his steps slow, as if he was thinking deeply. He got in and slammed the door shut, gripping the steering wheel tightly. They sat in silence, the weight of what had just happened hanging in the air.

Annabelle’s hands shook as she set the gun down in her lap. She turned to Riccardo, her voice barely above a whisper. “What happens now?”

Riccardo’s jaw clenched, his eyes staring straight ahead. “Now, we keep moving,” he said, his voice low. “No one can know about this, not even the Moretti Famiglia.”

His words sent a shiver down her spine. She had a feeling that things were going to get a lot worse before they got better. And she wasn’t sure if she was ready for what was coming next.

Riccardo started the car, and they sped away, leaving the scene behind. The engine’s hum filled the silence, but it did nothing to calm the storm in Annabelle’s mind. Her heart was still pounding from what had just happened. She stared out the window, trying to make sense of it all, but the fear and confusion wouldn’t leave her.

Riccardo’s grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles white. He kept his eyes on the road, focused and serious. Annabelle could tell he was deep in thought, likely planning their next move. She wanted to ask where they were going, but the words caught in her throat. After what she’d just seen, she wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

The events of the past hour played over and over in her head. The men, the gunfire, the cold way Riccardo had taken them down, it all felt like a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from. This wasn’t supposed to be her life. She had always lived in a world where things made sense, where danger was something you saw on TV, not something that happened to you.

She glanced at Riccardo, who seemed unfazed by it all. How could he stay so calm? How could he kill those men and then just drive away like nothing happened? Annabelle couldn’t understand it. And the more she thought about it, the more scared she became. What if this was just the beginning? What if there were more dangers ahead, ones she couldn’t even imagine?

The road ahead was long and empty.

Annabelle felt trapped, like there was no escape from the fear that had taken hold of her. She wanted to ask Riccardo what would happen next, but she was too afraid of the answer.

Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore. “What’s going on?” she asked, her voice trembling. “Why did those men attack us? And why did you... why did you kill them?” She stuttered.

Riccardo’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, she thought he wouldn’t answer. But then he spoke, his voice low and serious. “Those men were sent to kill me, Annabelle. It’s part of the life I live. A life you’re now a part of too, whether you like it or not.”

Annabelle’s heart sank at his words. She had known that going with Riccardo meant stepping into a world of danger, but she hadn’t fully understood what that meant until now. “But why?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper. “Why did you bring me into this?”

Riccardo’s eyes flicked toward her for just a moment before returning to the road.

Annabelle didn’t know what to say. Her life had changed so much in such a short time, and she wasn’t sure how to handle it. The fear, the uncertainty, it was all too much. She leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes, trying to block out the world around her. But even with her eyes closed, she couldn’t escape the reality she was now a part of.

The car continued down the road, the darkness closing in around them. Annabelle knew that this was just the beginning of a journey she never wanted to take. And there was no telling where it would lead.

Soon, Riccardo brought the Car to a stop in front of a big deserted looking area. Annabelle stared out of the Car and beheld the huge gate and building before her. Was here perhaps his Clan?

Riccardo alighted from his car, and having no other choice, Annabelle followed him.

Reaching the gate, an iris scanner scanned his eyes and the huge gates unlocked. Riccardo walked inside and Annabelle stood still.

Riccardo paused, staring at her over his shoulders. "Are you not coming in?" His voice was cold as usual and Annabelle shivered.

She hesitated before stepping in, and the huge gate closed behind her.

As Annabelle walked in behind Riccardo, she was surprised by what she saw. The Mafia clan’s base wasn’t dark or old-fashioned like she expected. The building was sleek and modern, with glass walls and polished floors. Maids moved around, quietly tending to their tasks, and outside, soldiers were training in a well kept courtyard.

The place was busy but orderly, with everyone knowing their role. The air smelled clean, and the rooms were bright, filled with natural light. It was more like a high end estate than a crime organization’s headquarters. This wasn’t the harsh world she had imagined, it was something much more controlled and polished.

Riccardo's steps flattered and Annabelle stopped behind him. Staring up in front of her, she was a beautiful Lady.

"Welcome back, Master." She heard her say.

"Take her to her room." Riccardo said to the lady as he glanced at Annabelle.

"Follow me." The lady muttered, her voice as cold as Ice.

Why was every one here so Cold? Vanessa wondered.

"Hey. How about my...?" Vanessa wasn't chanced to finish her statement when the lady Cut in.

"You don't address the Master with such Language!"

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