By noon the news had spread across Las Vegas.
Vittorio Di Sante was dead.
The city had many ways of reacting to news like that.
Some celebrated quietly.
Some prepared for war.
And everyone waited to see what his daughter would do next.
Inside the Di Sante mansion, the atmosphere had turned sharp and restless.
Phones rang constantly.
Lawyers called.
Business partners demanded answers.
And rumors spread faster than truth.
Allegra stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom, adjusting the sleeve of her black blazer.
Behind her, Bianca watched from the doorway.
"You're really doing this?"
Allegra didn't look at her.
"Yes."
Bianca stepped further into the room.
"You buried your father this morning."
"And by tonight the city will think the Di Sante family is weak if I stay hidden."
Bianca crossed her arms.
"You think showing up at the casino fixes that?"
"It sends a message."
"What message?"
Allegra turned around.
Her expression was cold and controlled.
"That nothing has changed."
Bianca studied her carefully.
"You look exactly like him right now."
Allegra didn't respond.
Because she knew it was true.
—
Downstairs, Aiden Kane was waiting near the front entrance.
Two black SUVs were already parked outside.
He looked up when Allegra approached.
"You're leaving."
It wasn't a question.
"Yes."
"Where?"
"The casino."
Aiden's expression didn't change, but his jaw tightened slightly.
"That's a bad idea."
Allegra stopped in front of him.
"Why?"
"Because someone just killed your father."
"And?"
"And that someone might try again."
Allegra tilted her head slightly.
"Good."
Aiden frowned.
"Good?"
"Yes."
She stepped closer.
"If they try again, maybe we'll catch them."
Aiden studied her.
"You're using yourself as bait."
Her gaze stayed steady.
"I'm using visibility."
"That's not the same thing."
"It is in this city."
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then Aiden exhaled slowly.
"If you're going, I'm coming."
"I assumed that."
—
The drive across Las Vegas felt strangely normal.
Tourists crowded the sidewalks.
Neon lights flashed above endless casinos.
Music spilled from open doors.
The city didn't care that one of its kings had died.
Vegas never stopped moving.
The Di Sante casino rose above the strip like a fortress of glass and gold.
As the SUVs pulled into the entrance, Aiden scanned the crowd automatically.
Valets.
Security guards.
Gamblers.
No obvious threats.
But something still felt wrong.
He opened Allegra's door.
"You don't have to do this."
She stepped out onto the red carpet.
"Yes, I do."
Inside the casino, conversations died the moment people recognized her.
Employees froze.
Players turned.
Whispers spread across the room.
Allegra walked forward slowly, heels clicking against the marble floor.
Aiden followed half a step behind her.
Watching everything.
Every exit.
Every face.
Every movement.
A group of businessmen near the poker tables quickly stood up.
"Miss Di Sante," one of them said nervously.
"Our condolences."
Allegra nodded politely.
"Thank you."
The man hesitated.
"We were… surprised to see you tonight."
"Why?"
He shifted uncomfortably.
"Well… given the circumstances…"
Allegra looked around the casino.
Then back at him.
"My father built this place."
Her voice was calm.
Controlled.
"And it's still mine."
The message spread instantly.
Employees straightened.
Dealers resumed their work.
The casino came back to life.
But Aiden wasn't watching the tables.
He was watching the balcony above the main floor.
Something moved there.
Just for a second.
A shadow.
Gone too quickly to identify.
His instincts sharpened instantly.
"Allegra."
She didn't turn.
"What?"
"We need to move."
Her voice stayed calm.
"Why?"
Aiden's eyes swept the room again.
Because suddenly every instinct he had was screaming the same thing.
Someone here wasn't watching the casino.
They were watching her.
And somewhere above the floor—
A rifle barrel slowly slid into position.