CHAPTER TWENTY

“Detective Harris?” Olivia called, as she answered the phone.

“Miss Carter, It's nice to hear from you, Richard told me I could reach you , that's why I called immediately” Harris said over the phone.

“Detective Harris, What's going on?” Olivia quickly sat up , her mind racing.

“I need to talk to you urgently, and I have a proposal that could help both of us”, Harris said, his tone serious.

Olivia glanced at the closed door of her room, ensuring her privacy, “I’m listening”.

Harris's voice was calm, yet serious, “We both know that, Lucas Moretti is a dangerous man. But you’re also aware that his cousin Marco Moretti , is just as bad, if not worse. I have a plan to bring down the entire Moretti organization, but I need your help”.

Olivia frowned, her mind racing, “How do you expect me to help?”

“I know you’re in Lucas' mansion Olivia, You have access to the information that could be invaluable, If you can cooperate we can offer you protection and an honorable recognition in the region.”

Olivia's thoughts swirled, the chance to take down Moretti's organization was tempting. But the idea of betraying Lucas again filled her with dread.

“What exactly are you asking me to do?” She asked, her voice trembling.

“We need detailed information on Lucas’ operations , his contacts, and his dealings with Marco. Anything that can help us build a strong case against him.”

Olivia hesitated knowing the gravity of what Harris was saying, “And what happens if I refuse?”

Harris sighed, “If you refuse, you’ll be left in the crossfire in his world, your life will be at risk”.

Her mind instantly flashed back to the terrifying events of the past weeks, the constant fear, the danger to Monica and herself. She knew she couldn't continue living like this.

“I need some time to think about it”, she finally said.

“You don't have much time,” Harris warned, “Lucas has a lot of enemies even in his world, Things are going to get worse, call me as soon as you decide”.

With that he hung up, leaving Olivia staring at her phone, her heart heavy with the weight of the decision she had to make.

Meanwhile Lucas sat in the library, he had heard the conversation with Harris through the bugged phone and she was being prepositioned to betray him.

Few minutes later, Vincent entered the library, he had checked the study and didn't find Lucas. Knowing his boss’s habits, Vincent headed straight to the library. He found Lucas sitting in a plush leather chair, engrossed in a thick book.

“Boss,” Vincent greeted respectfully.

Lucas looked up, his intense gaze piercing through Vincent, he knew Monica was safe, with Vincent, so he didn't need to ask about the situation, “What is it?”

“I just received a call from the warehouse, some men tried to break in last night”, Vincent reported his voice steady.

Lucas’s expression darkened his eyes narrowing with controlled fury, “Go found out who sent them.”

Vincent nodded and proceeded to relay the orders, Vincent walked away from the library, headed to the car park, he entered one of the black SUV cars, and drove out of the mansion at high speed.

Meanwhile Olivia decides to take a walk around the mansion, since Lucas had told her she could be free in the mansion. As she stepped out, she noticed the tight security presence around the mansion. Men were strategically scattered, their eyes vigilant and their postures alert. It was a stark reminder of the world she was estranged too.

The walkway led her to a lush garden, sanctuary of vibrant flowers , she could hear soft trickles of fountain nearby. As she walked she spotted a Red Tesla car, coming into the mansion.

Curiosity piqued , as she stepped forward to get a clearer view. A young man strikingly similar to Lucas but the softer features and more approachable demeanor, stepped out of the car.

His blonde hair caught the sunlight and his face adorned with a charming, easy smile that made him appear even younger.

The young man noticed Olivia emerging from the garden , “Hey Pretty,” he greeted with a charismatic grin, stepping forward to take her hand and place a light peck on it, “I’m James Moretti sweetheart”.

Olivia couldn't help but smile, Hearing his name confirmed her suspicion that he was related to Lucas. Yet he was the complete opposite, jovial and friendly, “I’m Olivia….Olivia Carter”, she replied with a smile matching his.

Just then Olivia saw Lucas approaching them from a distance, James' smile widened and his eyes sparkled with affection, “My brother, the only boss in the Moretti’s family”, James exclaimed hopefully , opening his arms wide for a hug.

Lucas’s stern expression softened into a brief smile,as he hugged his brother patting him on his back, he hadn't seen James in over five years. They had only recently spoken, when James called to say he was leaving Italy for New York.

Olivia greeted Lucas amidst the reunion, but Lucas merely glanced at her , his face hardening once more. He obviously ignored her and led James inside.

…….🌵

At the warehouse, Vincent approached inside, his gaze icy and unforgiving. He saw the three men , trying to intrude the warehouse tied up in a chair.

Without hesitation, Vincent’s fist connected with his jaw in a brutal punch . The man's head snapped back, blood dripping from his mouth.

“Who sent you!” Vincent shouted, his patience wearing thin.

When the man didn't respond, Vincent gave the man a resounding slap across his cheeks, “Talk”, Vincent growled.

The man spat on the floor. “You’ll have to kill us”. One of the men said.

Vincent’s eyes darkened further, his eyes void of Mercy as he paced, the sound of his footsteps echoing ominously. He placed a hot metal on the man’s cheek, and the man screamed in pain.

The third man, barely able to move his head,trembled in fear, “Massimo….Massimo sent us!” he mumbled.

With a final glance, Vincent turned to one of his own men standing by, “take care of them”, he ordered. The gunshots that followed were swift, precise and final.

Vincent didn't look back , as he walked out of the warehouse. As Vincent drove back to the mansion, his mind was already on the next steps. This attack was a bold move by Massimo. The car finally pulled up to the Grand entrance of Lucas' mansion, and Vincent stepped out, his demeanor calm but his mind racing with strategy.

Inside the mansion, Vincent moved quickly through the opulent halls, making his way to Lucas’s study. He knocked once and entered , finding Lucas seated behind his massive oak desk, with James lounging nearby, a playful grin on his face.

“Ah, Vincent”, James greeted cheerfully, his smile wide, “You just missed me regaling Lucas with some stories from Italy”.

“Vincent and I need to discuss something important”, Lucas said to James.

James rolled his eyes in mock annoyance, “As usual, Alright , I’ll leave you to your secret Mafia business”. He got up and patted Vincent on the back as he walked out.

Vincent managed, a small tight lipped smile, before turning his attention back to Lucas. Once the door closed behind James, Vincent stepped closer to Lucas’s desk.

“It was Massimo”, Vincent stated flatly. “He sent those men to set fire and sabotage the warehouse”.

Massimo is one of Lucas' rivals, he is also a Mafia boss in his region.

Lucas' expression hardened immediately, He leaned back on his chair, his finger steepled under his chin, as he processed the information, “Massimo”, he muttered, the name like venom on his tongue.

“He is getting bold”, Vincent continued, “This was a direct attack on our operations. We can't let it go unanswered”.

Lucas nodded slowly, his mind already calculating the next move, “we’ll need to send a message”, he said quietly , but with a deadly edge.

“No one challenges Lucas Moretti without facing consequences, Find out more information on Olga, Massimo’s sister, I heard she works here in New York”.