♥ Chapter 3 ♥

Caterina Vossini.

The metallic smell of blood mixed with the odor of fear and sweat in the basement. The dim light from the lamp hanging from the ceiling swayed slightly, casting unsettling shadows on the bare concrete walls. The man in front of me was tied to a chair, his clothes soaked with blood, tears, and despair. I watched his every move and his every shuddering breath with glacial calm.

''Well, well, what have we got here?'' I muttered, my footsteps echoing as I approached him. The smell of sweat and blood was nauseating, but for me, it was the scent of duty being done.

I picked up a sharp knife from a nearby table, running the blade lightly across his arm, just enough to tear the skin and see the blood ooze out. He screamed, but his scream was muffled by the cloth tied over his mouth.

''Are you ready to talk now?'' I asked, removing the cloth from his mouth.

He just looked at me, eyes wide with fear, but remained silent. I sighed, disappointed, and brought the knife closer to his face, pressing the blade against his cheek.

''You know, I could make it easier for you,'' I continued. ''I could finish this quickly. But you chose to betray the organization, and betrayal is not something I take lightly.

With one swift movement, I buried the knife in his thigh. He screamed, a high-pitched, desperate sound that echoed off the basement walls. I turned the blade slowly, watching the pain spread across his face. His eyes, filled with terror, met mine. I moved my face closer to his, my eyes fixed on his.

“Who is buying information from you?” I growled.

He gasped, tears mixing with the blood and sweat on his face.

''I… I can't…'' he stammered.

I rolled my eyes and walked away, picking up an electric torch. Furthermore, I switched it on, and the electric hum filled the room.

''Maybe this will help you remember, then. '' I said, bringing the torch closer to his torso. When the electricity hit him, he convulsed and screamed, his body writhing against the restraints.

I switched off the torch, and he collapsed in his chair, breathing heavily. I gave him a moment to catch his breath before pressing him again.

''Who's buying information from you?'' I asked, my voice cold and merciless. ''Tell me now, and maybe I'll be merciful.

'' É… It's a policeman…'' He finally whispered.

''Go on.'' I encouraged her, raising the torch again as a warning.

''He... he's getting information about the drugs that are going to be transported. He knows which casinos are illegal and where the human trafficking market is. I passed everything on to him...

My eyes narrowed. The bastard had really spoken.

''And where is he now?'' I asked, and my voice was a deadly whisper.

''He'll be… he'll be at the central nightclub tonight. He's going to do an investigation.

Hatred boiled up inside me. I switched off the torch and approached him, holding his face between my bloodied hands.

''You've made a big mistake.'' I whispered before giving him one last deep cut across the throat, ending his life quickly.

I'm wiping my hands on a cloth.

'' Clean up this mess. '' I ordered my men, who watched in silence, fear on their faces. ''And make sure everyone knows what happens to traitors.

I left the shed and spotted Bóris, my faithful security guard, waiting by the car. He quickly opened the door for me, and I got in, settling into the back seat. As the car began to move, my thoughts deepened.

My name is Catarina Vossini. I'm thirty-nine years old, and I'm the empress of the Vossini family mafia, a dynasty that shapes power in the shadows. Many find it inconceivable that a criminal organization could be dominated by women, but this view quickly disintegrates when they encounter our relentless strength. We are formed from birth to be living weapons, each generation forged in steel and blood. Those who rise to power must be even more ruthless and calculating than their predecessors, for weakness is a luxury we cannot afford.

Under our feet, no one is worthy of standing. It is they, not us, who must bow in reverence to our absolute dominance. In our family, the use of men is only a matter of necessity, they are discarded as waste after fulfilling their role of procreation. The Vossini empire not only rules, but also marks history with calculated cruelty and unbeatable efficiency.

Every act of our leadership is a brutal reminder that, in our world, there is no room for disobedience. Power is absolute, and our revenge is inevitable. All who dare cross our path are reduced to nothing more than shadows under our absolute rule, and our tyranny is the only truth they can know.

As the car drove through the streets of Valdoria, I observed the city with a mixture of pride and determination. Every imposing building and busy street was a reflection of the greatness that the Vossini family had built with blood and sweat. I was the heir to this empire, charged with preserving and expanding our supremacy with an uncompromising iron fist.

Within our hearts, love is forbidden, seen as a weakness that could destabilize us. There is a dark story in our lineage about a predecessor who fell in love with a man. This love weakened her to such an extent that, in the end, she fell into the hands of enemies who exploited her vulnerability. Fortunately, she had left an heir, who kept the family legacy intact.

I will not allow any personal feelings to threaten the empire we have built. Men are mere instruments of pleasure, not participants in our emotional lives. I don't intend to get pregnant now, if ever. My mother will have ensured that the legacy continues with more daughters before I even take over. Love is a luxury I cannot afford to experience, as it is a weakness that can lead to our destruction. My focus is on maintaining the strength and supremacy of the Vossini family, ensuring that our empire continues to reign with an indomitable and irresistible presence.