At the Heart of the Mafia

but to follow, walking on tiptoe to avoid making any noise. The thick walls seemed to reflect the weight of the decision he had just made, to involve her, a mere assistant, in his war plans. But th

, he had

lain office, stripped of all unnecessary decoration, except for a large dark wooden table on which rested neatly filed documents a

of any warmth. "She'll be handling the logistics fo

piercing eyes and a searching gaze, sketched a slight smile as he looked her up and down. This smile, although discreet, did not escape Elvie. It was false, calculated. Like

his cold demeanor. "We must prepare positions, anticipate every move. You w

ch a war? But she knew that refusing wasn't an option. Not here. Not with Adriano. He d

ally, staring straight into her ey

ing more. But she would not let that define her. She had to survive, understand the system of this world, and most

e conversation was over. Elvie turned to leave the room

e one who had looked at her with that unhealthy smile. "You have

aze met his, cold and determ

ing sound, before turning to Adria

nt game had just begun. She was now a piece of the puzzle. And all she coul

e Corleones were not a family like any other. The Corleone brothers were calculating men, each of them carrying within them a power that bordered on invincibility. But at the

nd, the intelligence of a strategist, and a coldness that recalled Adriano's. He didn't like to waste time and

lite manners lurked a latent violence, like a snake ready to bite at the first opportunity. He watched everything, listened to everyt

nd as the days went by, she realized that what was expected of her was much more than she had imagined. The Corleones did

, a shiver of terror seized her. He was there, alone, like an apparition from her past, but this time, the sit

aid in a low voice, his dark eyes fixed on hers.

h him deeper into his trap. She was a prisoner, and this encounter only c

ng on his lips. "Otherwise, I'll be forced to tell Adr

rp and unforgiving. "You can't do this to me," she replied, her voice

you really think this is going to happen? You're going to do what I want, or

if she gave in? What if she agreed to follow his orders? What would she risk then? One thing was certain: in this world, no

had barel