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AUTHOR’S POV
The scent of blood, sweat, and expensive whiskey lingered, mixing with the heavy bass of the music that still vibrated faintly in the background.
The moment had stretched so thin it felt like time itself had paused.
Elena’s lifeless body laid on the floor, her once-beautiful face frozen in shock, blood seeping from the bullet wound on her forehead, staining the cold marble beneath her.
But no one in the room seemed to mourn her.
Charles had his gun raised, his hand steady, his face void of emotion.
Leonardo stood unfazed, his lips curling into an amused smirk, his sharp eyes flicking between Charles and Luciano.
Adeline stood rooted in place, her heart pounding painfully against her ribs.
She had expected bloodshed tonight, but not like this—not this soon,
