Chapter 2 : A Deal with the Devil
The black limousine stopped in front of the towering skyscraper that loomed like a giant beast devouring the city skyline. The sign at the top gleamed in silver: *Valenti Enterprises*.
Alina inhaled deeply as she stepped out, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor of the grand lobby. Several guards turned their heads, but she walked past them with quiet confidence.
The receptionist stiffened at her approach. "Miss… do you have an appointment?"
Alina smiled. "No. But you can tell Mr. Leonardo Valenti that Alina Moretti is here. He'll want to see me."
The woman's face paled slightly at the mention of her name. It worked every time. The power of the Moretti name still carried weight in this world. For now.
After a tense minute, the receptionist nodded and gestured toward the elevator. "Top floor. He's waiting."
Alina stepped inside the elevator, her heart pounding. This was it. Her first move.
In her previous life, she had always feared Leonardo Valenti, the king of the underworld, the man rumored to have more blood on his hands than any other. Her father had warned her never to cross paths with him.
But now, she understood why.
Leonardo wasn't just a mafia lord. He was the silent force behind the Moretti family's power. A silent partner, biding his time, letting the Morettis dance on puppet strings.
Until they decided they no longer needed him.
In her past life, Alina had never been important enough to meet him face to face. But this time… she would become indispensable.
The elevator chimed, and the doors slid open.
The office was vast, minimalistic, and intimidating. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows displayed the sprawling city beneath. The man behind the desk exuded power without saying a word.
Leonardo Valenti.
He sat there, his tailored black suit sharp against his pale complexion, dark hair swept back, eyes like shards of ice fixed directly on her.
Alina met his gaze, forcing herself to stay steady. "Mr. Valenti."
"Miss Moretti." His voice was smooth, dangerously calm. "You're braver than I expected."
"I didn't come here to waste your time," she said boldly. "I came to propose a partnership."
Leonardo raised one dark brow, leaning back slightly in his chair, studying her with quiet amusement. "A partnership? Your family and mine are already partners, technically."
"No," she said, her voice cold. "My father uses you. He takes your resources and gives you scraps. And soon enough, he'll cut you off completely. Just like he plans to do with me."
Leonardo's eyes narrowed slightly. He was listening.
Alina continued, her voice gaining strength. "I know the Moretti family's weaknesses. Their secrets. Their financial cracks. I know where they're vulnerable. But I need your help to dismantle them."
Silence filled the space between them for a long moment. The only sound was the faint ticking of the minimalist clock behind him.
Leonardo finally spoke, his tone unreadable. "You want me to betray my existing partners to assist the daughter of my enemy? Bold, Miss Moretti. Very bold."
"It benefits you," she said smoothly. "You don't need to dirty your hands directly. I'll do all the work. You get full control of the Moretti territories when the dust settles."
He stood from his chair and walked around the desk, stopping directly in front of her. His towering figure cast a long shadow, and his piercing gaze burned into her.
"You think you can survive this war?"
"I don't intend to lose." Her chin lifted, refusing to be intimidated. "I'm not the naive little girl they remember."
For a moment, something flashed in Leonardo's eyes. Was it intrigue? Amusement? Respect? She couldn't tell.
He reached out, lightly gripping her chin with two fingers, forcing her to look up at him. "Do you even understand the cost of what you're proposing, Alina?"
Her breath caught at the intimate gesture. The warmth of his skin against hers sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. But she didn't flinch.
"I do," she whispered. "And I accept it."
Leonardo's lips curled slightly. "Dangerous words."
The door behind them opened suddenly, and a tall man with steel-gray hair entered—Matteo, Leonardo's right-hand man. He paused, eyeing Alina carefully.
Leonardo released her chin and turned to Matteo. "What is it?"
"Mr. Valenti, the shipment from Eastern Europe has been intercepted. We suspect it was Moretti's men."
Leonardo's face darkened slightly. "Of course."
Alina clenched her fists. Her father was already making moves to cripple Leonardo's supply lines. She needed to act fast.
She spoke quickly. "I can get you the names of the operatives who intercepted the shipment. I know their routes, their weaknesses."
Leonardo turned his icy gaze back to her. "Why help me?"
"Because once they're done with you," Alina said softly, "they'll destroy me too."
Leonardo studied her for several long seconds. Then he made his decision.
"Very well," he said finally, his voice like silk wrapped around steel. "I'll play your game, Miss Moretti."
Relief washed through her, but she kept her face composed.
"But understand this." His tone turned cold. "You're not in control. I am. From now on, you belong to me. My protection comes at a price."
Alina's heartbeat quickened. "What price?"
Leonardo smiled darkly, stepping closer, his breath brushing her ear. "Loyalty. Absolute loyalty. Betray me even once, and you'll regret ever being reborn."
A chill ran down her spine. But she met his eyes and nodded. "Deal."
Leonardo extended his hand, and she took it. His grip was firm, possessive, final.
The alliance was sealed.
At that moment, Alina knew she had officially stepped into the lion's den.
There was no turning back.
---
### **Later that night…**
Alina returned to her penthouse apartment, locking the doors behind her. She leaned against the doorframe and exhaled shakily. Her hands trembled slightly, but it wasn't fear. It was adrenaline.
The first piece was in place.
She crossed the room, pulling out a hidden drawer beneath her vanity. Inside lay a thick file—documents, photographs, bank records—everything she had secretly gathered over the past three months.
Her father's crimes. Her brother's hidden assets. Her mother's affairs. The web of corruption they had tried to hide from her.
In her previous life, she had never seen any of this. She had been sheltered, coddled, and controlled.
Not this time.
This time, she would dismantle them piece by piece.
A knock startled her.
Her maid, Sofia, peeked inside nervously. "Miss Alina, there's someone outside asking to see you. He says he's from Mr. Valenti."
Alina straightened. "Send him in."
A tall man in a black suit entered, bowing slightly. "Miss Moretti, I am Marco. Mr. Valenti assigned me to be your personal security detail."
Personal security.
In other words, a spy. Leonardo would be watching her every move now.
"I see," Alina said calmly. "Welcome aboard."
Marco gave a polite nod. "I'll remain nearby at all times. If you need anything, simply call."
As he exited, Alina allowed herself a faint smile.
Leonardo didn't trust her—good. He shouldn't.
Trust was a currency she couldn't afford to spend just yet.
But one day soon, she would either rise as the queen of this blood-soaked empire or die trying.
To be continued...