Chapter 2

• Six years ago...
• The elegant conference room was thick with the tension of a high-stakes negotiation. Vittorio Amorielle sat at the long table, his dark eyes fixed on the open contract before him. On the other side of the table, Ellis Barker should have been seated, but she had left, leaving her own lawyers to advocate on her behalf.
• The legal discussions continued a back-and-forth of legal jargon that eluded Vittorio's thoughts. His focus shifted from the words on the paper to the solitary engagement ring with a black diamond resting on the table. A diamond as dark as the shadows that now enveloped his life.
• His fingers reached out, almost as if compelled by a magnetic force. He picked up the ring, the weight of memories flooding over him as the cold metal settled into his palm. He absentmindedly twirled it on his finger, reliving that fateful night when he had proposed to Ellis in the bank parking lot. A memory full of vulnerability and hope for a different future.
• While his lawyers continued to discuss prenuptial agreements and asset division, Vittorio's mind traveled further back in time. He recalled the way Ellis's eyes had sparkled with tears of joy, the sensation of their fingers entwining when she said yes. It had felt like a moment of clarity in a life obscured by shadows.
• But now, as he played with the ring, it was a poignant reminder of what had gone wrong. He had lost her. The woman he loved. The woman he thought would be by his side through everything. Yet here they were, two sides of a table, their lawyers translating their pain into legal language.
• A wave of frustration coursed through him. With a sharp movement, Vittorio pushed his chair back, his legs scraping against the floor. He could no longer bear being cornered between those walls. He needed air. He needed to think. He needed to find Ellis.
• In the elevator lobby, he faced the illuminated numbers indicating occupied elevators. Impatience gnawed at him. Time was running out, and he needed to set things right. He pressed the button repeatedly, silently urging the elevator to come faster. But time was an unstoppable force.
• With a frustrated sigh, he stepped away from the elevators and headed for the stairs. The steps seemed endless as he descended floor after floor. His mind raced, replaying moments he had shared with Ellis, wondering where everything had gone wrong. And then, there it was—the lobby.
• Matarazzo stood near the entrance. Vittorio walked up to him, his gaze demanding answers. "Where is Ellis?"
• Matarazzo's expression was tense, revealing something Vittorio hadn't expected. He walked over to Vittorio and began to speak hesitantly. "She left. Met up with John Smith."
• Vittorio's eyes narrowed, a mix of confusion and anger washing over him. John Smith—the man he had orchestrated to be falsely arrested for the murder of police investigator Laura. He had planned to keep him away, yet now he had met with Ellis.
• "What do you mean 'met'?" His voice was low, dangerous.
• Matarazzo hesitated before continuing. "There was a conversation between them, and then she was taken by Smith. Unconscious."
• The mafioso's heart raced his thoughts in turmoil. Fury burned in Vittorio's dark eyes, his mind a tempest of turbulent emotions. He stared at Matarazzo with an intensity that could have ignited the air between them. His words came out through clenched teeth, each one carrying the promise of imminent danger.
• "Gather the men," he said, his voice low and venomous. "Find John Smith."
• Matarazzo nodded, understanding the urgency of the situation. He knew there was no room for delay. It was clear that Vittorio was on the brink of explosion.
• Vittorio stood there for a moment longer, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The memory of Ellis, her laughter, her strength, the way she challenged him, all of it contrasted sharply with the idea that she could now be in danger. He felt the weight of his own choice, his decision to use John Smith as a pawn in his game, now coming back to haunt him.
• As Matarazzo moved away to carry out his orders, Vittorio struggled to contain the storm within him. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, trying to find a way to channel his anger and concern. The memory of Ellis, their love, and the moments they had shared, clashed with the notion that she might be at the center of a conflict he had created, a conflict that threatened to shatter the fragile peace he had imagined.
• While Rocco approached the mafia leader with a serious and respectful expression. He knew how delicate the situation was, but he also understood the importance of Vittorio's commitments. With a slight nod of his head, he caught Vittorio's attention.
• "Don Vittorio, you have another commitment. We need to leave," Rocco said, his voice low and respectful.
• Vittorio turned to Rocco, the anger still evident in his eyes. He opened his mouth to respond, but then closed it again, as if reconsidering his words. The mention of the other commitment seemed to fade in the face of his concern for Ellis. The idea of carrying on as if nothing had happened was unbearable.
• "No," he finally said, his voice firm. "Not now."
• Rocco nodded understandingly, knowing that this wasn't a decision Vittorio was taking lightly. He looked at his boss for a moment, assessing the situation. Finally, he took a step forward, knowing he needed to convey a painful truth.
• "Don Vittorio, I know you're worried about Mrs. Amorielle, but we have no choice. But you know... they can't wait," Rocco said sincerely. "I promise I will find out what happened to her, but we can't delay this."
• Vittorio sighed, struggling against his own impatience and anger. He knew Rocco was right, but the thought of leaving Ellis in danger haunted him. Finally, he nodded, still reluctant, but knowing he needed to trust his trusted men.
• "Go, then," he said, his voice heavy with tension. "But bring me the news as soon as you can."
• Rocco nodded, stepping back and turning to join the other men, who were already prepared to leave. As they moved away, Vittorio remained still for a moment, his mind tormented by thoughts of Ellis and what might have happened to her.