I did my research," Serena said coldly, her eyes narrowing as she stared down at Jace.
Jace frowned. "What do you mean? What research? How do you know anything about—?"
"The person who killed your mother."
Silence.
Serena stepped forward, her heels echoing across the tiled floor. "That very day… I made it my mission to find out who it was. Not because Josh told me anything, but because I was curious. And I have my ways. I discovered the truth you've been too blind or too scared to face."
Jace's voice cracked. "You're lying. You don't know anything."
"I do," Serena snapped. "I know the killer was wealthy. Powerful. And I also know that's the real reason you wanted to join the mafia—not some sudden ambition or thrill. You want revenge. And guess what? I might even know one or two things you don't."
She leaned in, her voice like venom. "So here's the deal. You're going to sign that paper. Join the mafia. Or you won't walk out of here alive."
Jace's fists trembled. "And if I sign… and tell my father about you?"
Serena laughed—a cold, humorless sound. "Then you're dead before the words even leave your mouth. Before you even think of speaking, you'll be lying in your own blood. Because I have eyes everywhere. Something big is coming in the underworld, and I don't have time for foolish little boys like you to ruin everything."
There was a pause.
"Can I stand up now?" Jace asked quietly.
He imagined slapping her. Just once. Right across the face. But he knew if he did, he wouldn't live to regret it. He was too thin, too weak, and too alone in this room full of death.
"No." Serena's voice was sharp. "Stay down. That position suits you. On your knees like the lowlife you are."
Jace gritted his teeth. "Okay, you don't like me. I don't like you either. But you know why I wanted to become part of this world. You know my reasons. So just let me go. Let me walk away. And leave my father out of this. That's all I'm asking."
Serena's expression darkened. "No, that's not going to happen. You want to know why?"
She took a slow step toward him.
"Because from the moment your father introduced you to me, I hated you. You annoyed me so much that day. I wanted to teach you a lesson right then, but I stopped myself. I told myself I'd wait—wait until I marry your father and take everything he owns. Then I'd kick you out of that house like the worthless pest you are."
Jace looked up at her, eyes burning. "So that was your plan all along. But why? What more could you possibly want? You have everything. You run a powerful organization. You make money from dozens of illegal branches. What could you possibly still want from my father?"
Serena raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Is that your car parked outside?" Jace asked suddenly, a bitter edge in his voice. "Or is it your boyfriend's? Do you have one?"
Serena's face tensed. "Why do you want to know?" she asked sharply. "Are you applying for the position?"
"Hell no." Jace scoffed. "I just wanted to know who you're deceiving along the way."
Serena's tone turned icy. "I don't have a boyfriend. I don't need a man. Everything I have, I earned. The car, the mansion, the empire—it's mine. And I didn't get it by being someone's little trophy. I built this from blood and fear."
Jace didn't say anything. He just stared.
And for the first time… he truly understood the monster his father had fallen in love with.
"I'm going to say this again," Serena said, her tone sharp like a blade. "Get on your feet."
Jace didn't move.
"Do you want to?" she continued. "I heard about everything. I did my research—you know I did that. And are you really sure you want to join the mafia for your mother? You could be out there living the rich boy life, being a playboy or whatever. You've got the money. Your father's got even more. And me? I need it."
Jace raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean you need it? I think you already have enough."
Serena crossed her arms, watching him closely.
"I knew that car outside belonged to someone important," Jace said, his voice a little lower now. "That SUV—I saw it before. Same exact one parked outside right now. The day you came to my house, I saw it. As you left and my dad stepped in, that SUV came and picked you up. It didn't click at first, but now… I realize the one outside the casino tonight? It's yours."
Serena didn't flinch. But the corners of her lips twitched slightly.
"Oh, so you saw the car that came to pick me?" she said, mockingly. "What a loser."
She pulled a paper from her jacket, unfolded it slowly, and handed it toward him. "Anyway, here. I'm going to give you this paper. You're going to sign it. It's not much—just a signature."
Jace squinted at her. "Are you going to let me go if I sign it with my signature?"
Serena smiled, slow and dangerous. "Yes. Definitely. Just sign."
He took a breath. "But… can I ask you something first? You're my age. Maybe even younger. Why are you like this? Why are you so ruthless?"
She stared at him in silence.
"You seem normal," Jace went on. "But you're ruling the underworld. That's not something just anyone can do. I don't even know if I could pull off what you're doing. So… why?"
Serena didn't answer.
"I won't answer that question," she said after a moment, her voice calm but final. "Not now."
She stepped closer.
"But I will tell you one thing. The reason I'm working with your father now—it's because something's going on. Something big. There's a massive debt. The old mafia boss left it behind. And now I'm the one sitting in the chair. That debt is mine to pay."
Jace's eyes narrowed. "And if you don't?"
"If I don't…" she said slowly, "there's going to be a war. A brutal one. Between two powerful mafia families. And it's not that I'm scared of war. I'm not. But not now. I don't want it now."
"Why not now?" Jace asked.
"Because I've got a vacation planned," Serena replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "In six months. That's my birthday."
Jace blinked, then let out a dry laugh. "You just lied. You already had your birthday this year. I know you did. You told me. And you don't trust anyone."
Serena tilted her head. "Oops. Looks like you remembered. Was it your father who told you?"
"Yeah," he said. "He told me. You're a liar."
"Mind the way you talk to me," she said sharply, the mood shifting fast.
Jace held up his hands. "Alright, alright. I'll mind how I talk."
He looked down for a second, voice softening. "I'm just saying—I'm not a liar. Everything I told you is true. Except the part about my birthday. That was a lie. My birthday's not anytime soon. I just want freedom, that's all. Maybe in seven, eight months. I want to breathe. That's it. You don't need to know more."
Then she stepped back and her voice turned cold.
"Sit on the ground. Again. Sit down. Now."
Jace clenched his jaw. "I won't ever do something as disgraceful and pitiful as that."
"Benjamin!" Serena called out without looking.
Within seconds, a tall man stepped into the room—her guard, Benjamin, who'd been listening in. He moved fast, didn't say a word, just raised his gun and aimed it straight at Jace.
Jace's eyes widened. He raised both hands.
"Okay, okay—I'm going to sit!" he shouted, dropping down instantly, legs folding awkwardly beneath him.
Serena stepped over, standing above him like a queen over her fallen enemy. She smiled—cold and victorious.
"Good boy," she said,