AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Wise man,” I say. “My diamond is still in here. Agostino is somewhere in Fiero’s private chambers, looking for the other half. As for Romola, she’s out there, dancing with Fiero. Wait till they’re done, then get her. I don’t know if she’s involved or not, but the father will return for his daughter, will he not? For now, treat them as accomplices.”
“Will do, boss,” Franco says and disappears into the crowd.
As I scan the room, trying to catch a glimpse of Romola or Agostino, I can't help but feel a pang of disappointment. I had trusted Agostino and believed him to be true to his word and skill. But now, all I see is a cunning thief who used his charm, age and experience to manipulate me.
"Agostino Toscani," I whisper, my voice filled with anger. You have no idea what you've just unleashed."
I decide to group with my men, to catch Agostino and Romola. But before I can take a step, Fiero and his men materialize around me as shadows come to life.
"Rafaele Bressan," Fiero sneers, his piercing emerald green eyes boring into mine. "What brings you to my party uninvited? People no longer accept payment in exchange for being your friends? No longer able to pay people to keep you company, or did they simply discover your real character and wisely decide to leave?"
"I just came to see how the rats plan to poison their guests," I retort, refusing to back down even though I'm outnumbered.
"Perhaps you're not as clever as you think," Fiero says, circling me like a predator about to strike. His men follow suit, their weapons conspicuously displayed. My hand instinctively reaches for my own gun, but I know better than to draw it just yet.
"Is this how you treat all your guests?" I ask, trying to buy time while I devise a plan to escape their clutches and find Romola and her father. If I get embroiled in a fight, they could escape right under my nose. I can't afford any distractions, but Fiero's sudden hostility has forced me to shift my focus.
"Only those who don't compliment the impeccable decor," he snarls, coming to a stop in front of me. The tension between us crackles, and I know it won’t take much to ignite into something more dangerous.
"Enough!" I shout, my voice ringing out over the music and drawing startled gasps from the partygoers nearby. "If it's a fight you want, Fiero, then let's take it outside, like men."
"Bold words, Rafaele," Fiero smirks. "But do you really think you can take on all of us?"
I glance at his men, sizing up my chances. "I've been through worse," I reply, my voice steady despite the rage coiling in my stomach. I don’t let on that I have my men around.
"Very well," Fiero says, nodding to his men. "Let's see what you're made of."
As one man advances, my thoughts become consumed by the battle. Romola and her father will not escape my wrath, even as I fight for my life against Fiero and his men. For now, I must focus on surviving, and then, I hunt.
Fiero’s man inches closer and pulls out a pocket knife. He lunges forward, and I swing back from the right, using my left fist to punch him in the ribs. He groans and bends over, and I lift him up with both arms. His knife falls before I make my move.
The sound of shattered glass echoes through the palatial ballroom as I hurl Fiero's man against a floor-to-ceiling window, shards raining down like deadly confetti. My anger and determination fuel my every move, each punch I throw, each kick I land, bringing me closer to reclaiming what is rightfully mine.
My men join in.
"Rafaele! Behind you!" Franco yells, his warning slicing through the battle's sounds. I react in an instant, spinning around and blocking a knife-wielding thug's attack just in time. The cold steel glints under the chandelier's light, a lethal reminder of the danger I face.
"Is this all you've got, Fiero?" I shout into the chaos, hoping to goad him out into the open. "I expected more from someone like you!"
"Be careful what you wish for, Rafaele," comes Fiero's taunting voice from somewhere in the crowd. You might just get it."
As I grapple with another of Fiero's henchmen, my thoughts race alongside my actions. Where could they be hiding? The sprawling mansion offers countless hiding places, but surely they wouldn't have stayed put after stealing the diamond. Could they have fled already? The thought sends a surge of panic through me, but I force it down, focusing on survival.
"Franco!" I bark, my voice hoarse from exertion. "Keep searching for Romola and Agostino. I'll handle this."
"Understood, boss," he replies, disappearing into the fray.
With each thug I take down, the odds against me diminish, but my energy only seems to grow. Sweat trickles down the back of my neck, and my muscles scream in protest, yet I refuse to relent. I cannot falter now, not when there is still so much at stake.
Fiero's men swarm around us like vultures, their faces twisted with venomous intent. I dodge and parry, my knuckles raw from the impact of fist against bone.
Then, I hear the first gunshot. I turn to see one of my men shoot down Fiero’s. In retaliation, more guns make an appearance.
Fuck. Shit’s getting interesting. I’m not quite sure how we ended up in this situation. Does this mean Agostino triggered a security breach? Did he find Fiero’s diamond? I clench my teeth at the thought that he might have both halves, and the need to kill spreads down my arms and into my fingers.
"Rafaele!" Fiero calls out, his voice dripping with malice as he steps in front of me from the corner he’d be fighting from. He steps forward, a menacing grin distorting his features. "You've put up quite a fight; I'll give you that. But it's time to end this."
"I couldn’t agree more," I snarl, my focus narrowing on him alone. This needs to end quickly. I should be out there, chasing down Agostino and Romola, getting back what’s mine. Instead, I’m wasting my time playing with cowboys and crooks.
