Shadows of The throne

e room, casting shadows over leather couches and walls lined with rare art. The scent of cigar smoke and

her uncle Vittorio's inner circle, a supposed Sicilian enforcer with a reputation for ruthless efficiency. Marco was lean and shar

apped her back to the presen

g. "Of course. You were just about to explain how you

't reach his eyes. "As I was saying," he continued, "Marco will be ha

bar, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand. His face betrayed not

ks are a delicate asset. One misstep, and we lose millio

hers. There was no anger, no offense, just a

is voice smooth and deep, "experience is useful,

n by the boldness of Marco's reply. Elena leaned back in her

d, a faint smile tugging at her l

That

quiet roar of the fountain and the rhythmic patter of raindrops against stone o

wasn't

n't tru

ept hidden in her coat. Marco stood a few feet away,

n people," she said coldl

t miss the way his gaze lingered on her hand before meeti

hand. "Trust isn't a word

tone as steady as his stance. "B

ould you t

flicker of something in his eyes. Curiosity? Doubt?

Not because you're weak, because you're stronger than the rest of them

or a moment, she considered telling him to leave

Marco?" she asked. "A

mile spread across

allenges. She wasn't sure whether to feel intrigued or

here?" she asked,

ng nothing. "I wanted to see if you're a

going to do with

the sharp edges of his face. "Use it. Pr

ned impassive. This man was a puzzle she couldn'

t but warning. "The moment you think you'

w and rich. "Then I'll ju

r alone in the rain. But the weight of his presence lingered, and for the fi

s. He was a threat to her throne, an

ation had faded, leaving only the faint hum of the security system and the occasional creak of the old house. The storm out

tudy-a place she rarely entered but one she needed tonight. Ther

room was exactly as her father had left it: the desk meticulously organized, the shelves lined with books

revealing a leather-bound journal and a small black velvet pouch. Her heart raced as she grabbed the

was watc

called softly f

the doorway, his silhouette illuminated by a flash of lightning. He held up his hands in mock sur

our own house, or is this a

ghtened. "How long have

nto the room. His movements were deliberate, calculated, like a

," she said sharply, sliding

his tone losing its playful edge. "You might be the heir, bu

You think you know this family? You're a hired

don't mistake isolation for strength. You're going to

en them, but she refused to show w

the doorframe. "Call it curiosity. Or maybe I just wan

eyebrow. "And

ou," he said simply, his

hem willing to back down. But before Elena could reply, t

ing for silence. The footsteps grew louder, closer. Without thinking, he grabbed

spered, his breath w

men-Gallo, a brute with a reputation for getting his hands dirty. He looked

made a call. "Yeah, it's here," he said gruffly. "The

father's secrets, just as she'd suspected

readable, but she could see the calculation in his eyes. He leaned down

otest, Marco steppe

s though he'd just wandered

going to the gun at his hip. "Rod

y. "Care to explain why you're sno

rco and the open compartment. "Vittorio aske

ast I checked, Vittorio doesn't outrank Elena. A

s gun, but Marco didn't flinch. Instead, he reached into his jacket a

r do we have a problem?" Marco a

hing under his breath, then slowly backed a

hut, and Marco tur

," he said, hol

adows, her eyes narrowing.

th a smirk. "But

he way her heart raced, not from fear, but from the way he l

urnal. "Whatever's in here, it's enough to ma

ion serious. "Then we'd b

he might not have a choice. Marco Rodriguez was a dangerou