"On your knees now"
Nedvar spoke with a harsh tone, a tone he never uses it with Hermione.
Hermione stood there shocked, not believing any word he just spoke. She stood there contemplating her thoughts and his order.
He was always requesting and h...
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Sam's mind was racing as he walked alongside Hermione toward the entrance of Emiliano Enterprises. Rocco Ben Emiliano-the deadliest assassin and second-in-command of the Ventures Mafia King-was waiting for them inside. Sam couldn't shake off his unease, especially now that he knew Hermione had arranged a meeting with such dangerous people.
The Emiliano family had deep roots in the fashion world, known for their dominance in New Zealand's luxury fashion scene. But their darker side-their ties to the underworld-was something Sam was all too familiar with. He wondered why Hermione would entertain an offer from someone like the chairman of Emiliano, even if it was for a business deal. Yet, the personal email from the chairman himself seemed to have piqued her interest.
Despite her confidence, Sam's instincts screamed caution. People like Rocco weren't known for playing by the rules. They lived by power and control. Hermione, however, had reassured him that if the deal wasn't favorable, they could walk out unharmed. Still, Sam doubted the simplicity of such a promise. He knew the mafia world too well to believe they would simply let things go if things didn't go their way.
Marco, the driver, expertly parked the car in front of the glass entrance. The place looked heavily guarded. The security was tight, with men in black shades, their faces as expressionless as the stone sculptures guarding ancient temples. Sam scanned the perimeter. It was just as he expected: every inch of this place was under tight surveillance, and these guards were trained to spot the slightest threat.
Sam stepped out of the car first, adjusting his own dark shades. He fit right in, cold and intimidating, with his sharp gaze assessing every corner. He didn't wait long before Hermione followed, stepping out of the car with the same grace and authority she carried everywhere. Her black stilettos clicked sharply on the pavement as she moved with the confidence of a queen.
As they walked toward the entrance, Sam whispered under his breath, "You're aware Rocco is an assassin and second only to the Mafia King?"
Hermione turned her head slightly, her cold, commanding voice cutting through the tension. "The chairman made it clear-if I don't want a partnership, I can walk out unharmed. And if Emiliano thinks he can intimidate me, I'll break his bones. Simple as that."
Sam was stunned. Hermione's fearlessness always impressed him, but this time it was something else entirely. She was ready to stand face-to-face with one of the deadliest men in the world without a hint of fear. Sam's own suspicions began to churn. Who was this chairman? Was he just a business magnate-or was he more deeply involved in the mafia than anyone realized?
His thoughts swirled, but he kept his posture rigid and emotionless as they walked forward, ready for whatever awaited them.
