But victories never come without consequences.
Two nights later, a black box was delivered to Villa Moretti. No return address. Just a red wax seal.
Amara opened it cautiously. Inside was a single red rose. Fresh. Dew still clinging to the petals.
And beneath it, a note:
"Strike once, I bleed. Strike twice, I bite. -L.R."
Enzo cursed under his breath. "Is that a threat or a promise?"
Amara stared at the rose, silent.
Then she crushed it in her fist.
"Both."
Later that night, Luca sat alone in his study, twirling a glass of scotch.
He had seen her move coming. He even admired it.
But admiration would not stop him from retaliating.
"So it begins, amore," he murmured.
He opened a drawer and pulled out a sealed envelope with Amara's name on it. Inside was a photo. Old. Faded.
A picture of their fathers. Together.
Smiling.
Luca lit a match and dropped it onto the photo, watching the past burn.
"Let's see what secrets you uncover, Amara. And how far you'll go before the truth destroys you."