Shadows of Regret

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

Ryujin Matsumoto

The day had started out so smoothly it almost felt unreal. I’d been on edge, but three quiet weeks without any hint of trouble… maybe it had lulled me, just a little.

We were at the mall—me, Imani, Kai, Vincent, and Amara—shopping for the grand Italian mafia anniversary party that was only three days away.

Normally, this wouldn’t have been something to celebrate, but this time I was looking forward to it.

I had a reason to be there with my family, to keep Imani and Kai close, and to show everyone that I could protect them.

I glanced over at Imani. She held up a sleek black dress, looking down at Kai for his opinion, her soft smile making something in my chest twist.

We’d started talking more, not just the surface-level exchanges we had when she first moved in.

I could feel something changing between us, a cautious peace that I knew I couldn’t take for granted.

She hadn’t forgiven me entirely—I could see it in the guarded way she held herself at times. But she didn’t hate me like before, and that alone was progress.

Kai squeezed my hand, tugging my attention back to him. Watching him discover the world, seeing him wide-eyed and full of curiosity, made me realize how much I’d missed.

He had his own quirks and habits, loved soccer, despised broccoli, and had this laugh that was starting to break through my own walls.

Bonding with him felt… real, something I hadn’t let myself imagine in the past. I would do anything to protect that.

My gaze shifted to Vincent and Amara a few steps away. Vincent was leaning in, his voice low and teasing, while Amara threw her head back laughing.

They looked like they were in their own world. Seeing them together like that stirred something in me. I hated to admit it, but I felt a twinge of jealousy.

Vincent and Amara just… clicked. Watching them flirt, as natural as breathing, reminded me of everything I’d hoped for with Imani. I wanted that connection—more than I cared to admit.

But then my phone buzzed, snapping me back. I pulled it out, checking the unknown number. Answering, I kept my voice low. “Yes?”

“Sir, it’s about your mansion.” The voice was tight, wavering. “It’s… it’s on fire. The entire place is engulfed.”

I froze, the blood in my veins turning to ice. Without a word, I ended the call and looked up at everyone. “We need to go. Now.”

The urgency in my voice silenced any questions. We moved fast, piling into the car, the ride to the mansion a blur of tension and dread.

As we pulled up, the sight was like a punch to the gut.

Flames stretched up against the darkening sky, and smoke billowed in thick clouds from what had once been my home.

I’d built that place up as my fortress, my stronghold, and now it was nothing but fire and ruin.

Vincent’s voice broke through my shock, cutting into the silence. “How did this happen?” His words were sharp, directed at one of my men who stood pale-faced near the wreckage.

“We… we don’t know, sir,” he stammered, swallowing hard. “But this was found at the front gate.”

He handed me a folded piece of paper, and I took it, unfolding it slowly. The message was scrawled in a harsh, jagged script:

“Game on.”

The Vipers. They were back, and this was their opening move.