Fiery Passion with a Ruthless Mafia

The grand ballroom of the Belle Maison Hotel glimmered with extravagance, its high ceilings adorned with cascading crystal chandeliers that bathed the room in warm, golden light. Elena Garcia walked confidently alongside her father, Viktor Garcia, her arm entwined through his. The two were the epitome of elegance, their presence commanding respect and admiration from everyone in the room.

Viktor held the title of the most influential and wealthiest mafia leader in the country. Tonight's gathering was not just a meeting; it was a show of dominance, a reminder to the other leaders of who truly held the reins. And Elena, his only daughter, was his perfect companion,a symbol of sophistication, power, and legacy.

"Your mother would have loved to see you like this," Viktor said, his voice softer than usual as they made their way through the crowd.

Elena smiled, her hazel eyes glinting with pride. "She'd probably scold me for wearing black to a party," she quipped, her tone light despite the tension she could sense in the air.

"She'd scold you because she'd know how much you remind me of her," Viktor replied.

Elena's heart softened at the rare display of sentiment from her father. "Tomorrow's photoshoot,I've decided to dedicate it to her," she said, referring to her ambassadorship for her late mother's beauty company.

Viktor's lips twitched into a faint smile, pride evident in his usually stoic expression. "You're making her legacy shine, Elena. I couldn't be more proud of you."

Before she could respond, Julio, Viktor's ever loyal right-hand man, appeared at his side. Dressed in an impeccable black suit, his sharp eyes darted around the room before leaning in to whisper in Viktor's ear.

Elena noticed the subtle change in her father's expression a flicker of concern quickly masked by his usual composed demeanor.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity and a hint of worry.

"Nothing you need to worry about, mi hija," Viktor assured her, patting her hand gently. "Enjoy the evening. I'll be back shortly."

With that, Viktor turned on his heel, following Julio toward the back of the room.

Elena watched him go, unease creeping into her chest. It wasn't like her father to walk away from a gathering like this unless something urgent had come up. Shaking off the feeling, she made her way toward a group of women near the bar, engaging in light conversation about fashion and upcoming galas. But her mind remained preoccupied, her instincts telling her something wasn't right.

___

Viktor entered the backroom, the hum of the party fading behind the thick walls. Julio closed the door behind them, his expression grim.

"What is it?" Viktor asked, his tone sharp.

Julio hesitated before speaking. "We've received word that Alexander Volkov is in town."

The name sent a jolt through Viktor. His jaw clenched, and his hands curled into fists. "Volkov? Are you sure?"

"Yes. He's been spotted near the ship hotel. There have also been reports of suspicious activities shipments delayed, men lingering near the docks. It's too coincidental to ignore."

Viktor's mind raced. Alexander Volkov the boy whose parents Viktor had ordered killed years ago had returned. He'd always known this day might come, but he hadn't expected it to be so soon, or so bold.

"Double the security," Viktor ordered, his voice low but firm. "And get Elena out of here immediately. She's not safe."

Julio's brow furrowed. "What's the story with this Volkov? Why does he have you so rattled?"

Viktor shot him a warning look, his patience thinning. "Just do as I say, Julio. Now."

Julio nodded but didn't move. "There's more. I've seen this look on you before, Viktor. What aren't you telling me?"

Viktor ignored the question, brushing past Julio as he headed for the door. He couldn't afford to waste time explaining the past. The present demanded his attention and his daughter's safety.

The moment Viktor stepped back into the grand hall, his worst fears materialized.

The first gunshot shattered the air, the sharp crack silencing the music and the laughter in an instant. Screams erupted as guests scrambled for cover, toppling over chairs and tables in their desperate attempts to escape.

"Elena!" Viktor bellowed, his eyes scanning the chaos for his daughter.

Near the bar, Elena crouched low, her heart pounding as she tried to make sense of what was happening. She saw her father moving toward her, his figure cutting through the panicked crowd like a force of nature.

"Elena, stay down!" Viktor yelled as he pushed through the throng of terrified guests.

Before he could reach her, a group of armed men stormed into the room, their faces obscured by masks. One of them fired a warning shot into the ceiling, commanding everyone's attention.

From the entrance, a tall figure stepped into view. He moved with an air of authority, his black suit tailored to perfection, his icy gray eyes scanning the room with calculated calm.

Alexander Volkov.

"Viktor Garcia," Alexander said, his voice low and lethal, yet carrying across the hall. "It's been a long time."

Viktor froze, his breath catching in his throat. He hadn't seen Alexander since the boy was ten years old, crying over the bodies of his parents. The years had turned him into a man but the fury in his eyes was unmistakable.

"Leave her out of this, Volkov," Viktor growled, glancing toward Elena, who was now being pulled toward the exit by Julio.

Alexander smirked, a cruel twist of his lips. "Oh, but she's the most interesting part of this evening. You should've known your sins wouldn't go unpunished, Garcia."

Viktor lunged toward Alexander, but one of the armed men raised his gun, forcing him to stop.

The room seemed to hold its breath as Alexander took a step closer, his eyes locking onto Viktor's. "This is just the beginning. Tonight, I'm taking back what you stole from me. And I'll make sure you feel every ounce of the pain you caused."

Viktor's mind raced. He couldn't let Alexander get to Elena she was his everything, the only piece of his wife he had left.

As if sensing his thoughts, Alexander's smirk deepened. "She doesn't even know, does she? The blood on your hands? The lies you've built her world on?"

Viktor's stomach churned. He had to end this. Now.

But before he could act, Alexander signaled to his men, and chaos erupted once more. Gunfire filled the room, the cacophony of destruction echoing through the grand hall.

Viktor could only think of one thing as he fought his way toward his daughter: he had to protect her, no matter the cost.