Shadows of the underworld

h the windows, the bright lights of New York stretching beyond her reach. She had worked hard to carve out this life-one of structure, cont

ied to outrun it, the past al

ghts. A glance at the screen showed a number she didn't

he said, her voice

?" a smooth, calm voice asked on the

t too smooth, too controlled, like it belonged to some

," she replied cauti

"I'd prefer to discuss this in

omeone who wasn't offering a choice. "I don't meet strangers," she replied firmly, h

ou'll want to meet. If you don't, well... let's just say

l she had left of her family. After her father's death, he became her world. And yet, no matter how carefully she'd sh

n her spine. "W

ou're well-versed in. I'll explain the details when we meet. I'm at

ghts spinning. She had no idea who this man was or what he wanted from he

by was busy, filled with businesspeople and well-dressed elites, but Ariana couldn't shake the feeling that something darker lu

op floor. The elevator ascended slowly, as if taking its time to allow her thoughts to race. Wh

a hallway that felt too quiet. There were no other guests in sight, no soun

m 1

her hand hovering above the handle for a mome

ed suit, dark hair perfectly styled, his features sharp and striking. There was s

and smooth. His eyes, dark and unreadable, scanned h

to the gut. Rossi. The Rossi family. The mafia fa

Her words faltered as sh

curling into the slightest of smiles. "