TWENTY NINE_INTO THE LION'S DEN
The warehouse fell into a heavy silence.
Alexander stood in the center of the room, completely still, while Marco’s men slowly surrounded him from all sides.
A normal man would have panicked.
Alexander DeLuca did not.
He slipped his hands into the pockets of his coat, his expression calm and unreadable.
Marco watched him with amusement.
“You always did love dramatic entrances, Alex.”
Alexander’s voice was cold.
“And you always loved cheap tricks.”
Marco chuckled.
“I prefer to call it strategy.”
Alexander glanced briefly at the men around him.
“Did you really think this would work?”
Marco tilted his head.
“Maybe not.”
His smile widened.
“But I knew it would bring you here.”
Alexander’s eyes darkened.
“You dragged me here just to talk?”
Marco stepped closer into the light.
“You’re still impatient.”
Alexander didn’t respond.
Marco’s gaze sharpened.
“You changed, Alex.”
“People change.”
“Yes,” Marco said slowly.
“But the Alexander I knew would have already broken three bones and threatened to burn this warehouse down.”
Alexander smirked slightly.
“Give me time.”
Marco laughed.
“I missed that.”
Then his expression suddenly became serious.
“You know why I really called you here.”
Alexander’s voice dropped.
“Say it.”
Marco’s eyes gleamed.
“That boy.”
Alexander’s jaw tightened slightly.
“Aiden.”
The name echoed in the warehouse.
“You don’t get to say his name,” Alexander said quietly.
Marco raised his hands in mock surrender.
“Relax.”
His smile returned.
“I’m just curious.”
“About what?”
Marco stepped closer.
“Since when did the coldest mafia king in Italy suddenly start protecting someone?”
Alexander’s voice was dangerously calm.
“Since someone threatened him.”
Marco shook his head.
“No, no.”
“You’re lying.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed.
Marco leaned forward slightly.
“You care about him.”
The words hung in the air.
Alexander didn’t answer.
Marco laughed softly.
“That’s fascinating.”
“Why?” Alexander asked.
“Because,” Marco said slowly, “the moment a king has something he loves…”
His smile turned cruel.
“…he becomes weak.”
In the next second—
Alexander moved.
So fast that Marco barely saw it coming.
He grabbed Marco by the collar and slammed him hard against the metal table.
The loud crash echoed through the warehouse.
Marco’s men immediately raised their guns.
But Alexander didn’t look at them.
His eyes were locked on Marco.
“You’re right about one thing,” Alexander said quietly.
“What’s that?” Marco asked breathlessly.
Alexander’s voice was cold as ice.
“You should never threaten something that belongs to me.”
Marco suddenly started laughing.
Even while being pinned to the table.
“You really do care.”
Alexander released him suddenly.
Marco straightened his jacket.
“You know what the funniest part is?”
Alexander didn’t answer.
Marco looked directly into his eyes.
“He’s not even here.”
Alexander frowned slightly.
Marco smiled wider.
“I thought maybe you’d bring him.”
Alexander’s voice became sharp.
“I would never bring him into this.”
Marco leaned closer.
“That’s where you’re wrong.”
Alexander’s expression darkened.
“What do you mean?”
Marco chuckled.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t plan ahead?”
Alexander’s instincts suddenly screamed that something was wrong.
Very wrong.
At that exact moment—
One of Marco’s men rushed into the warehouse.
“Boss!”
Marco turned.
“What is it?”
The man looked nervous.
“There’s someone outside.”
Marco frowned.
“Who?”
The man swallowed.
“…A boy.”
Alexander’s heart dropped.
And Marco slowly turned back to him with a wicked smile.
“Well…”
“…looks like your kitten came looking for you.”
Alexander’s eyes filled with pure fury.
“Aiden.”
And suddenly—
Everything was about to get much worse.
------------------
It's three in the midnight
I've got nothing to do
And Sleep is chasing me
But I'm faster
.......
Anyway
We are almost at the end of the story
Should I start the new book now or wait till we end this story