The forest clearing was thick with tension, the air heavy with the scent of rain. Leonardo stood at the edge, his eyes locked onto Gianluca, who held Elena tightly, the cold barrel of a gun pressed against her temple.
“Leonardo,” Gianluca called out to him with a twisted smile on his face. “I'm so glad you could join the party. I've been waiting for you, you know?”
Leonardo took a deliberate step forward. Immediately, Gianluca's men raised their weapons, prompting Leonardo's team to do the same. The standoff was intense, a single heartbeat away from chaos.
“GET. YOUR. FILTHY. HANDS. OFF. HER. You bastard,” Leonardo growled, each word dripping with venom.
Gianluca's smile faltered slightly. “Now, cousin, there's no need for the name calling. You could just ask politely.”
Leonardo's lip
