Nora's POV:
The smell of popcorn filled the room. I sat on the couch with my legs pulled up, watching my two best friends argue about what movie to watch next. My house was always their favorite hangout spot.
"Please, no more horror movies" Jace said with a sigh, pleading with Elle.
Elle raised an eyebrow. "Why? Still scared from the last one, little boy?"
I smiled a little as Jace made a face. "He's right, let's pick something light. Something that won't make us scream" I said.
Elle sighed and handed the remote to Jace. "Fine. But if it's boring, I'm blaming you".
Jace laughed. "Rom-com coming right up".
The TV screen lit up in the dim room. I leaned back, letting their voices fade. Moments like this made me feel safe, like everything was okay.
My phone buzzed on the couch next to me. Another message, another reminder of the things I didn't talk about. So, I didn't check it.
Elle glanced at her. "Nora, are you good? You seem quiet."
"I'm fine, just tired" I said, forcing a small smile.
Elle nodded and let it go.
The movie played, but I barely noticed it. My eyes were on the screen, but my thoughts were far away.
My phone buzzed again. This time, I checked it.
Unknown Number: You're running out of time.
I locked the phone quickly and slid it under the pillow, hoping Elle and Jace hadn't seen the look on my face.
"Want some ice cream?" Elle asked, already getting up and heading to the kitchen.
"Yeah, sure" I replied, trying to sound normal.
Jace stretched. "You two and your sugar cravings. I'll pass".
Elle called from the kitchen, "That's because you're boring".
I smiled faintly, but my heart was racing. That message wasn't the first. They had been coming all week. Short, cold and threatening.
Elle returned with a bowl of ice cream and handed it to her. "You sure you're okay?"
I nodded again. "Yeah. Just got a lot on my mind".
"Same" Elle said, sitting down beside her.
"Like how we're going to survive another week at that boring office".
I let out a small laugh "Honestly, if I see one more spreadsheet, I might run away".
Elle laughed, resting her head on my shoulder. "Let's do it. Just me and you, a beach, and no emails ever again".
Jace rolled his eyes. "Without me? You guys wouldn't survive a day without me, you know that, right?"
"Oh, really. Agreed" Elle said with a smile on her face.
The mood lifted for a second.
I took a small bite of ice cream and let the cold numb my tongue. I needed the distraction. Needed something to pull me away from the storm in my head.
They said Friday night. That was tomorrow.
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Adrian's POV:
"How long did you think you could hide it?" I asked, stepping closer, my voice low and sharp.
"How many lies did you think I wouldn't find out?"
He tried to speak, but no words came out.
"Good because excuses won't save you now" I said.
"You were supposed to watch my back, not sell me out to my enemies. That's not loyalty, that's betrayal and betrayal has a price" My eyes locked on his.
He swallowed hard, and almost fell to his knees. I grabbed his shirt front and pulled him close enough to see the terror in his eyes.
"I gave you everything, protection, a place here, and you threw it all away".
His lips shaking. "Please, Boss… I didn't mean to----"
"I don't want your bloody lies," I cut him off.
I leaned in so close he could feel my breath. "Remember this moment. Remember who holds your life in his hands".
I let go and stepped back. The guard stumbled, trying to stay steady. Fear was written all over his face. Good. Fear keeps people in line.
"I swear. I'll be loyal this time, boss" he said with a shaky voice.
"Betrayal has no place here. Trust is earned and once it's broken, it's gone for good" I said, tapping the door for the guards to come in.
Two other guards entered. I pointed at him.
"Take him away and lock him up until I decide what to do with him".
They grabbed him roughly. He struggled, but it was useless.
As they dragged him out, I watched them coldly.
The cell was cold and dark. They pushed him inside and slammed the heavy door shut. The sound echoed in the empty hallway.
I stood there for a moment, thinking.
The Blackwood Mafia Cartel isn't just a name, it's power, it's fear. We don't beg, and we never forget.
My father built it from the scratch with blood, sweat, and a hundred bodies buried underneath. People don't speak our names unless they're whispering.
Loyalty is everything here. One crack in the foundation, and the whole empire could fall.
Betrayal is a silent killer, and those who dare to cross us are forever silenced.
As I turned back heading to my room, I heard a voice. It was Maria.
"Sir, your father awaits you in the dining room".
I nodded once and walked past Maria without saying anything.
The halls of the Blackwood mansion were quiet, too quiet, just the way it should be. The walls were tall and cold, just like my father.
When I got to the dining room, two guards opened the large wooden doors.
Inside, a long table stretched across the room. My father, Don Dominic, sat at the end of it, cutting into a piece of meat like he had all the time in the world.
"Sit" he said without looking up. I sat down in my usual seat beside him.
"You dealt with the guard?" he asked as he poured himself a glass of red wine.
"He's in the prison cell downstairs, I'll deal with him fully after I get some answers," I replied.
"Good" he said. He finally looked up at me, his cold eyes locking onto mine. "There's no space for weakness in this family, Adrian. One weak link and everything we built can fall apart".
"I know," I replied.
"Do you really?" His voice dropped lower. "Because sometimes I wonder if you're truly ready to lead. To do everything that needs to be done".
I stayed quiet for a second. His words always had a hidden meaning. He liked testing people, even his son.
"I'm not like you" I said, looking at him straight in the eyes, "But I've learnt from you, your strengths and your mistakes, and I'm not afraid to make hard choices, no matter what it takes".
"You'll need that strength. Especially with what's coming" he said with a sly smile, taking a sip of wine.
"What's coming?" I asked.
He leaned back in his chair and folded his hands together.