Shadows Of Deceipt

Chapter 15

Tom leaned against the wall of the private lounge, his eyes fixed on the entrance. The dim lighting of the room felt appropriate for the tension that had been building since the night Anna betrayed him. He wasn’t one to let anyone meddle in his business, and tonight, he’d confront the man responsible for the chaos in his life.
Tonny Russo.

A few moments later, Tonny strolled in, dressed in his usual designer suit, his easy smile plastered on his face as though he owned the world. He didn’t acknowledge the strained atmosphere, walking right up to Tom and extending a hand.

"Tom," Tonny said, his voice dripping with false charm, "Always a pleasure."

Tom didn’t shake his hand. Instead, he remained still, staring Tonny down. "Cut the crap, Tonny. You know why you’re here."

Tonny withdrew his hand, smirking slightly as he took a seat on one of the leather couches, crossing his legs leisurely. "Well, aren’t you in a mood tonight? Let me guess—you’re upset about the little gala, or maybe something else?"

Tom stepped forward, his anger barely contained. "You think this is a game, don’t you? You think messing with my life, with Anna, is just another move in your power play."

Tonny laughed softly, tapping his fingers together. "Messing with your life? Tom, don’t flatter yourself. I’m simply playing the same game you’ve been playing since the beginning. The difference is, I’m better at it."

Tom clenched his jaw. "You put me in that fake engagement. You made sure I couldn’t be there when Anna needed me. And now, she’s starting to question everything about me, all because you can’t keep your hands out of my business."

Tonny leaned forward, his face suddenly serious, eyes narrowing. "You’re wrong about one thing, Tom. It’s not your business. It’s our business. You and I, we run in the same circles. We work with the same people. You didn’t really think I’d let you get away with taking what’s mine, did you?"

Tom scoffed. "You haven’t won, Tonny. You’ve only created distractions. But I don’t live with one option. While you’re busy trying to destabilize me, I’ve already built new avenues, new alliances. You’re chasing your own tail."

Tonny’s smile widened again, but this time, there was a glint of something darker behind it. "You think I don’t know that? You think I haven’t been watching you, seeing how you operate? I’ve been two steps ahead of you the whole time, Tom."

Tom took another step forward, his voice low and dangerous. "I’m not the one losing control, Tonny. You are. You tried to take Anna from me, thinking that would throw me off. But you don’t realize what you’ve set in motion."

Tonny raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh, enlighten me, please. What have I set in motion?"

Tom’s face was a mask of cold calculation. "Anna. She’s not just some pawn in your little scheme. She’s smart, Tonny. And now that you’ve pushed her, she’s looking at you just as closely as she’s been looking at me."

Tonny’s smile faltered for the briefest moment, but he quickly recovered. "Please. You’re reaching, Delano."

Tom continued, his voice a quiet threat. "You’re used to being in control, manipulating the people around you. But you’ve never dealt with someone like Anna before. You think you’ve got this all figured out, but I guarantee you—she’s the one who’ll unravel your entire operation. And when she does, I’ll be there to make sure you fall."

Tonny’s eyes darkened. For the first time in their conversation, the casual arrogance slipped. "You think you can just threaten me, Tom? I’m not like the others you’ve taken down. I’m always prepared. I never rely on just one move, just one plan."