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Anya’s POV
The days that followed felt like a ticking clock. I knew that with the alliance with Luca De Rossi, our lives were about to get more complicated, and that every second was a step closer to a dangerous game. Rocco became even more guarded, his demeanor cold and calculating. Yet, beneath it, I sensed an anxiety he refused to show.
One evening, while Rocco was tied up in a meeting, I decided to explore more of the mansion, hoping for a distraction. The tension of waiting was suffocating, and I needed something to ground myself. My wanderings brought me to a long-forgotten room at the far end of the east wing—a library covered in a thin layer of dust, as if time had forgotten this place.
As I scanned the rows of books, a worn journal on one of the shelves caught my eye. Pulling it free, I flipped through the pages, each one filled with elegant handwriting. It appeared to be someone’s account, detailing feuds, alliances, and rivalries that stretched back years.
One entry stood out:
"The Lichten family has a legacy of revenge. It’s said they have an heirloom passed through generations—a ledger listing every betrayal, every grudge. If you cross them, it’s only a matter of time before they come for you."
I felt a chill run down my spine. The Lichten family wasn’t just any family in this world—they operated with an unyielding, personal vendetta. The thought of being on their list sent a wave of unease through me. I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were stepping into something far more treacherous than we’d anticipated.
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Later That Night
I decided to tell Rocco what I’d found in the journal, and when he returned, I met him in his study. He listened carefully, his expression darkening.
“So, they keep a ledger,” he murmured, his fingers drumming on the desk. “I’ve heard rumors of it, but if it’s real… it means they’ve held onto grudges for generations.”
“Is it possible that we’re in that ledger?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Rocco’s gaze hardened. “With what I know, we’re likely in the center of it.”
A silence settled between us, heavy with the weight of our shared fate. Finally, he reached out, taking my hand.
“Anya,” he said, his voice a mixture of steel and vulnerability. “This alliance with Luca… it’s risky, but it’s our best shot. The Lichten family won’t just stop with me. If we don’t fight back, they’ll come for everyone tied to me—including you.”
I nodded, feeling the full gravity of our situation. For better or worse, I was part of this now, and I couldn’t turn back.
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The Plan
The next day, Rocco gathered his most trusted allies. The plan was to infiltrate one of the Lichten family’s properties, a remote estate rumored to hold records of their most important assets and alliances. If we could get our hands on that information, we’d gain a critical advantage.
“You’re not coming,” Rocco said, his tone brooking no argument as he looked at me.
“I need to be part of this,” I replied, meeting his gaze defiantly. “You can’t just keep me locked away while you face all of this alone.”
Rocco’s jaw clenched. “Anya, it’s too dangerous. I won’t risk you.”
“But I’m already at risk,” I argued, my voice firm. “The Lichten family won’t spare me if they come for you. Let me help.”
A tense silence followed, and finally, with a sigh, he relented. “Fine. But you’ll follow my lead and stay close. Understand?”
I nodded, my pulse quickening with a mix of fear and anticipation.
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The Infiltration
Night fell as we approached the Lichten estate. The air was thick with tension, each shadow seeming to hold its breath as we slipped through the gates, Rocco and I moving in tandem, flanked by his trusted men. I kept close to Rocco, every nerve in my body on edge.
We made our way through the dark corridors, relying on Rocco’s contacts for knowledge of the layout. Finally, we found what we were looking for—a hidden room, concealed behind a heavy wooden door. Inside, shelves lined the walls, filled with ledgers and documents.
As Rocco rifled through the records, my attention was drawn to a glass display case in the corner. Inside was an intricately bound book with an ornate crest on its cover. Something about it felt significant.
“Rocco,” I whispered, nodding toward the book.
He looked over, his gaze sharpening as he approached the case. With a quick movement, he smashed the glass and retrieved the book, flipping it open to reveal pages filled with names, dates, and details.
“This is it,” he said, his voice low. “The ledger.”
But before we could move, a sharp click echoed through the room, and we turned to find several figures blocking the exit. At the forefront was a man I recognized from photos—Victor Lichten himself.
“Well, well,” he drawled, a sinister smile curving his lips. “What do we have here? Intruders? I suppose we’ll have to make an example of you.”
My heart pounded as Victor’s men advanced, their expressions deadly. Rocco’s grip on my arm tightened, his stance tense.
“Stay behind me,” he hissed, his eyes never leaving Victor.
But I knew that if we wanted to make it out alive, we couldn’t just rely on Rocco alone. Without hesitation, I grabbed a metal rod from a nearby shelf, brandishing it as I stood beside him.
Victor raised an eyebrow, amused. “You’re either brave or foolish, Anya. Perhaps both.”
Rocco and I exchanged a glance, and without a word, we moved together, launching ourselves into the fray. The room exploded in chaos, every movement a blur of motion as we fought to fend off Victor’s men.
It was a battle we couldn’t afford to lose.
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To be continued...
