Veil of Shadows

Chapter Seven- Evangeline

The bell above the door chimed softly as I stepped into the jewelry store, the sound delicate against the quiet, opulent surroundings. Every piece on display seemed to whisper of old money and long-forgotten secrets, their glimmer muted under the soft lighting. I wasn't looking for anything extravagant, just a small gift—a token to keep up appearances, a way to mend frayed ties within the family.

My eyes skimmed over the display cases, landing on a delicate gold necklace. It was simple, understated, and perfect for the occasion. I was about to call over the saleswoman when something in the glass caught my eye—a reflection. A man, standing near the entrance, casually leaning against the wall.

My pulse quickened, but I kept my composure, forcing myself to act natural. He was tall, his dark coat blending into the shadows of the store. There was something disturbingly familiar about him, the way he stood with a calm, almost predatory confidence.

I didn't need to turn around to know who he was—one of the Giovanni enforcers. The last time I'd seen him, I was a child, peering out from behind my father's legs as he faced down men like him. Back then, I was too young to understand the gravity of our world. Now, I knew better.

My fingers tightened around the necklace, the metal digging into my palm as I walked to the counter. I forced a polite smile as the saleswoman wrapped the necklace in a small velvet box, oblivious to the tension swirling around me.

"Thank you," I said, my voice steady, betraying none of the turmoil churning beneath the surface. I could feel the enforcer's eyes on me as I left the store, a silent, heavy weight that pressed against my back.

The cold air hit me as I stepped outside, sharp and biting. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the racing of my heart, but the unease lingered. I couldn't let them see my fear. I had to stay strong, not just for myself but for the family. My mind raced as I walked to my car, the keys clutched tightly in my hand. The chill of the wind was nothing compared to the cold dread that had settled in my gut.

By the time I reached the estate, the initial shock had worn off, replaced by a burning anger. The Giovannis were making their move, testing the waters. But they'd soon learn that the Morettis weren't ones to back down.

The estate's towering iron gates swung open as I approached, the guards nodding as I drove through. I parked the car and made my way to the front door, the familiar weight of the mansion settling around me. The grand chandelier in the foyer cast long shadows against the marble floor as I walked inside.

I was almost to the stairs when I noticed it—a small envelope on the console table by the entrance, innocuous in its simplicity. My name was written on the front in elegant, flowing script. The sight of it sent a shiver down my spine.

With trembling hands, I picked up the envelope, the paper thick and expensive to the touch. I didn't need to open it to know it wasn't a friendly note. But I did, slowly, as if bracing myself for the impact of whatever was inside.

Inside was a single sheet of paper, the same beautiful penmanship from the envelope gracing its surface. Three words, written in ink that was almost too dark, too bold:

You're mine.

The words were simple, but they carried a weight that made my stomach drop. The handwriting was elegant, almost beautiful in its precision, but the message was anything but. It was a claim, a promise, a threat. And it was personal.

My breath caught in my throat as I stared at the words, the room seeming to close in around me. The Giovannis weren't just testing the waters—they were marking their territory, reminding me of the power they held, the danger that lurked just outside the gates.