Chapter 2

Midnight fell as I drove to the abandoned whale processing plant at Palermo's port.

Stepping through the factory gate, the wind cut through me like ice. The cold wasn't just from the Mediterranean breeze—it was because I was about to make a deal with the devil.

"You came."

A deep voice emerged from the shadows, carrying the familiar gravelly tone I hadn't heard in five years. I spun around to see a tall figure slowly emerging from behind rusted machinery.

"Alessandro." I whispered his name.

Though he'd worn a mask during our first encounter, I'd long since discovered my savior's true identity—Alessandro Torrino, Sicily's most dangerous man, and tonight, my only hope.

"I didn't think you'd show," I said, fighting to control the tremor in my voice. "After all, the Corleone name means..."

"What does it mean to me?" He stepped forward, his eyes sharp as a hawk's behind the mask. "Betrayal? Exile? Five years of living hell?"

The hostility in the air was almost tangible. I took a deep breath, knowing this wasn't the time to show weakness. Looking directly into Alessandro's eyes, I spoke each word deliberately:

"It means an opportunity. Help me eliminate Luca, and I'll give you control of the entire Corleone family."

Alessandro's body went rigid. A cold laugh escaped from behind his mask: "Are you insane, Isabella Corleone? You're asking for help from a man your family destroyed."

"I know." I turned to face him directly. "I also know you have every reason to refuse me, even kill me. But Alessandro, we've both been betrayed by the same man."

"Prove it." Alessandro stopped pacing, his voice turning dangerous. "Prove you're not acting."

Instead of speaking, I slowly reached into my coat and withdrew something. In the moonlight, an ornate dagger gleamed with cold light, its handle carved with intricate family crests.

Alessandro's breathing stopped completely.

"You recognize this blade, don't you?" I raised the dagger, its reflection casting fractured light across my face. "Five years ago, it was plunged into Marco Torrino's heart. Now, it sits in Luca's trophy collection."

"Impossible..." Alessandro's voice trembled, then turned anguished. "Marco... my brother. They used my own blade to kill him, then framed me for it. But this dagger should be..."

"Should be destroyed in evidence lockup?" I cut him off, my tone turning ice-cold. "But Luca kept it as a prize, a trophy. Want to know why? Because he's the one who framed you."

Alessandro lunged forward, stopping inches from my face: "You're lying!"

"Am I?" I didn't retreat, instead meeting his fury head-on. "Then tell me why this evidence that should have been destroyed is in Luca's private collection? Why did he brag to me that it was 'a souvenir of the perfect setup'?"

Alessandro's hand shot toward his mask, and I could see his fingers shaking. The gesture made my heart race—I knew I was touching this man's most painful memories.

"You want to know what I found out? I intercepted communications between Luca and some mystery contact. After seeing today's hit plan, it all clicked—their first topic of discussion was 'how to perfectly eliminate the Alessandro threat.'"

The mask finally came off.

In the moonlight, Alessandro's face was fully exposed. A deep scar ran from his left eye to the corner of his mouth—a permanent reminder of that "accident" five years ago. But what shocked me more were his eyes—filled with rage, pain, and something else I couldn't quite understand.

"You... knew all along?" Alessandro's voice was so hoarse it was barely audible.

"I knew." I nodded. "I knew you were innocent, I knew Luca framed you, I knew my father wronged you. But Alessandro, there's something else I know..."

"What?"

"I know you never hated me." I looked into his eyes. "Like that night five years ago when you saved me—there was no hatred in your eyes. Five years of exile, five years of suffering, but you never hated me."

Alessandro's fists clenched, veins bulging: "You don't understand..."

"I do understand." I interrupted him. "I understand why you never sought revenge against my family, why you still appeared when I was in danger. Alessandro, I'm not here asking you to forgive the Corleone family. I'm here to tell you—we now have a common enemy."

The sound of waves seemed especially loud in this moment, as if the sea itself was holding its breath for this crucial confrontation.

Alessandro stared at me for a long time before slowly speaking: "What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to help me kill Luca." My voice was resolute and cold. "I want you to expose his true nature at tomorrow's wedding, in front of everyone."

"I want you to..." I took a deep breath and made that insane proposal, "marry me."

The words exploded like a bomb in the silent night. Alessandro's eyes widened, clearly not expecting this proposal.

"Marry you?" His tone carried disbelief. "Isabella, do you know what you're saying?"

"I know exactly what I'm saying." I stepped closer. "Luca's plan is to kill me and my father at the wedding, then take control of everything as the Corleone son-in-law. But if the groom becomes you instead..."

"His plan would be completely ruined." Alessandro understood immediately.

"More than that." Dangerous light flickered in my eyes. "As my husband, you'd gain legitimate inheritance rights to the Corleone family. Alessandro, I'm not offering you revenge—I'm offering you the entire family."

Alessandro fell silent for so long I began to wonder if he would refuse. Finally, he spoke slowly:

"Aren't you afraid I'll kill you once I have the family?"

"Terrified." I didn't hide it. "But rather than be killed by Luca, I'd rather take this gamble. At least you owe me an explanation."

"What explanation?"

"Why did you save me five years ago?" I looked into his eyes. "Don't tell me it was out of obligation. Alessandro, tell me the truth."

Complex emotions flashed in Alessandro's eyes. Finally, he extended his hand: "Deal. But I have conditions."

I didn't hesitate to grasp his hand—scarred and calloused, but still warm and strong: "Name them."

"First, I write the wedding vows." Dangerous light flickered in Alessandro's eyes. "Second, Luca's fate is mine to decide. Third..."

"Third what?"

Alessandro stared at me, speaking slowly: "Our marriage won't be a transaction."

I was stunned: "What do you mean?"

"You'll find out..." Alessandro released my hand and put his mask back on. "Tomorrow. Now, let's talk business. When do you need my people to control the church?"

"6:00." I forced myself back to reality. "I need your men controlling all exits, ensuring Luca's people can't execute their plan."

"Already arranged." Alessandro's tone returned to its cold composure. "My men left three hours ago. Isabella, did you think I was helping you on a whim?"

"What?" I stared at him in shock.

"Five years." Alessandro turned toward the shadows, his voice fading as he walked away. "I've finally been waiting for this day. See you tomorrow, my bride."

I stood there, heart pounding violently.

"Five years, I've finally been waiting for this day."

Alessandro's words echoed in my mind. What had he been waiting for?

A chance for revenge, or... something else?