Chapter 52: Chapter 52

“Do you think it’ll work?” Elnora asked as she leaned over Mateo’s shoulder. His workstation in the Icarus Tower was a fortress of screens and wires, a digital playground for the mastermind behind the Castelli Family’s tech. Well, he and Giorgio.

Within three months of reopening the underground for the collective and establishing Eden as its official Common Ground, Mason had brought her to Icarus Tower—their new home. The tower, buried deep in the Italian Territory, now served as the nerve centre for the Castelli Family’s operations. Eden was secure, but that wasn’t enough for Mason. He had extended his influence deeper into the Italian territory, wiping out any remnants of the De Lauro’s influence. The old guard needed to know that Mason Dimitri was not an heir to that disgraceful legacy—he was a new power and a force to be reckoned with, a man who wouldn’t hesitate to crush anyone in his path in his new era.

Since then, Elnora, Giorgio and Mateo had been working tirelessly, fortifying the tower, securing the Common Ground, and designing a private network so impenetrable that not even the most skilled hackers would dare challenge it.

“It already works,” Mateo said as he swivelled around to face her. “Can we proceed to testing now, ~signoria~?”

Elnora knew she had been delaying the inevitable, tweaking and retweaking the hardware until it met her impossible standards. But Mateo was right—it was time to test the network she had meticulously crafted. Every device had been custom-built for its user, each one designed to be tamper-proof, sending instant alerts at the slightest trace of an intrusion.

She straightened up, forcing herself to let go of her anxiety. “Yes, let’s do it,” she finally agreed.

Mateo gave a sharp nod and turned back to his screens. As the lines of code scrolled across the monitors, Elnora watched with bated breath.

In the silence of the tower, the reality of what they were about to unleash finally sank in. This network was a weapon, a means to make sure her new family remained untouchable in a world where alliances shifted like sand.

Mason trusted her, and she wasn’t about to let him down.

Leaving the control room, she headed to the elevator that would take her to the work hub she had set up to manage Neon Securities.

As she reached the elevator, the doors to the adjacent lift slid open, and Kristine in a green leather pencil skirt and a crisp white blouse stepped out. She had to admit to herself that Kris knew how to make an entrance. She was as polished as she was lethal, with a reputation that Elnora had dug into to learn everything about her.

“~La donna del capo~,” Kristine greeted.

Elnora chuckled. “Kristine, it’s been a while. Where have you been hiding?”

“Greasing wheels and palms, as usual. Making sure the boss’s interests are well looked after. Things have settled down now, you know. Crime’s looking pretty damn good these days,” Kristine replied with a smirk, her gaze sharp as a blade.

“Crime?” Elnora cocked a brow. “Takes one to know one, huh? Fixer for the Italian mafia.”

“Broker for the mafia, if you please. Sounds a bit more refined, don’t you think?”

They shared a laugh, the kind that only came from understanding the need for finesse.

“So, what brings you here?” Elnora asked, swiping her tablet to sleep and turning her full attention to Kristine.

“I’m here on a special assignment,” Kristine said, a mischievous glint in her eye. “You have a blind date with a special someone tonight, and I’ve been tasked with getting you all dolled up for it.”

“A blind date?” She grinned as she pressed a hand to her face, feeling a flutter in her stomach at Mason’s unexpected gesture. “He’s got a romantic streak, doesn’t he?”

Kristine folded her arms, grinning. “Head over heels, huh?”

“Shush,” Elnora shot back playfully. “What’s the plan?”

“You’re scheduled for a fitting and some glam time. And I need to get you to the restaurant by 8 sharp. I’ve already cleared your calendar,” Kristine said with a wink. “We’ll head to the residence to get you ready.”

Elnora followed her into the elevator, her mind already shifting gears as she scrolled through the data on her tablet. A flashing task caught her eye, and she sighed. One more thing to handle before she could get lost in whatever Mason had planned for the night.

“Kris, go on ahead. I’ll meet you at the residence. I’ve got something to take care of first.” Elnora pushed the button for the 15th floor.

Kristine nodded. “Sure thing.”

As the elevator approached the fifteenth floor, Elnora steeled herself with a deep breath.

“Get everything ready. I’ll be there soon,” she said as she stepped out, heading to another elevator that would take her down to where she needed to be. The doors opened instantly, and she stepped inside.

Leaning against the back of the elevator, she let out another breath. Since moving into their place, with Mason neck-deep in his business dealings, their time together had been limited to mornings and late nights. And while she revelled in the intensity of his attention and the way he claimed her, night after night, she wanted more personal time with him. She wanted to be fully immersed in his world, not just a bystander waiting for her turn in the shadows.

As the elevator doors slid open on the ground floor, Elnora stepped out, her heels clicking softly on the marble floor as she made her way toward the conference room. She passed the concierge, offering a polite nod, and Benny greeted her with a nod as he held the door open.

“~Signoria~,” he said.

“Thanks, Benny,” she replied, stepping inside.

Marcy and Joe stood as she entered. Elnora’s heart clenched slightly as she looked between them, the memory of everything that had happened between them hanging in the air.

“I never would have imagined you’d look so good running the mafia,” Joe said with a wide grin, trying to lighten the mood.

Elnora let out a small, genuine laugh. “I don’t run the mafia.” She looked good because she was happy—Mason saw to that. The man was a lover, a protector, and more importantly, hers.

Joe shrugged. “Everyone knows the man who does has claimed you as his woman. Seems like the same thing to me.”

Elnora smirked but said nothing as Joe turned to Marcy. “I’ll give you two a minute.”

The moment Joe left the room, an awkward silence settled between Elnora and Marcy. They just stared at each other.

“What made you do it?” Marcy finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “I lied to you. Played both you and Joe. Why did you and M buy my life back? I didn’t even think it was possible.”

Elnora shrugged, trying to keep her tone even. “Because you’re my friend, Marcy. I don’t care what Elias made you do. What matters is that you are my friend.”

Marcy had been more of a sister to her than Zuri ever was. Zuri had left her, left home when she was barely twelve, but Marcy had stepped in and filled that void. Eventually, she knew she’d have to let go of the anger and resentment. Mason had sneaked this reconciliation into her schedule—a blessing in disguise. Sisters fought, simmered, and then made up.

Marcy frowned as she walked around the table, her steps slow and uncertain. “I almost got you killed, El.”

“Mason told me about Elias and what he does with the orphan girls he takes in. You didn’t have a choice, Mace. In your own way, you thought keeping me away from everything would protect me. That counts for something.”

Marcy looked down. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” Elnora muttered, setting her tablet on the table. “So, are you really still marrying Joe?”

A smile crept across Marcy’s face. “El, I really do love him. Phil only told me later that our meet-cute was planned, that Elias wanted me to spy on Joe. But before I knew all that, it was real. Of course, Joe had his reasons for wooing me, but somehow, it worked out for us.”

“And you forgive him for that?” Elnora asked, though she already knew the answer.

“I do,” Marcy said, nodding. “As crazy as his reasons were, they were valid. He loves me, and I ground him. There’s going to be a lot of rebalancing, maybe even therapy, but I’m just glad Phil is no longer my shadow.”

“Does Joe know about the priest and Phil? Did you tell him? A clean slate means a clean conscience too.”

“He knew but never said anything. When I finally opened up, he was relieved. I guess I was looking for a reason for Joe to kick me out of his life so Elias couldn’t use me against him, but Joe didn’t budge,” Marcy explained. Elnora nodded, thinking about how alone Marcy must have felt dealing with everything on her own. “I already signed the release papers after they removed the chip from my arm. I owe my freedom—and my life—to you and M.”

Elnora exhaled heavily. “I guess this is where I’m supposed to say something corny.”

“Like, ‘What are friends for?’”

“Ugh, so gross,” Elnora scoffed.

They both laughed, and Elnora extended her arms. Marcy stepped into the hug, and they held each other tightly.

“What did Mr. Elias ask for in exchange for my release?” Marcy asked, pulling back slightly.

“Nothing he got,” Elnora replied with a smirk. “We beat him at his own game.” Marcy started to respond, but Elnora waved her off. “Don’t worry about it, Mace. I love you, and you deserve all the happiness you can get. He’ll have to go through me to get to you again.”

Marcy hugged her again, this time holding on a little longer. They stayed that way, just savouring the moment of quiet, of peace, before they’d have to step back into their chaotic lives.

“Alright, I’ve got to go. We’ll catch up later. I’ve got a blind date with you know who,” Elnora said with a grin.

“Sounds like heaven. M is good for your soul—and your lady parts too, considering how you’re glowing.”

Elnora laughed. “He does know his way around everything, and he takes his time. I get to show him who’s boss too.”

“Look at that smile. You must’ve slept with a hanger in your mouth… or something else.”

Elnora burst into laughter, shaking her head at Marcy’s never-ending cheekiness.

“I’m glad you’re with someone trustworthy, even if it’s in the mafia. I would’ve preferred something less dangerous, but we don’t always get what we want.”

Enrico. The thought of him surfaced unbidden.

“What does Joe plan to do with Ric?” Elnora asked, even though she knew she shouldn’t.

“No, no,” Marcy chided. “You’re not letting Ric cloud your mind and ruin things. You’re happy with M, and I like him for you. So stop thinking about Ric. And I don’t know what Joe’s plans are for him, because I didn’t ask, and neither should you.”

Marcy’s brow furrowed in a scolding frown, and Elnora smiled.

“You’re right.”

She nodded, grabbing her tablet. Marcy was right—Ric was not her problem. She needed to focus on what truly mattered.

Mason. The beautiful man she was absolutely crazy about.

* * *

From Mason’s vantage point on the balcony of the new underground club, he could see Table Eleven perfectly. He was waiting for Elnora, his mind churning with so many thoughts as he did. The empire he’d spent years building was finally poised for greater heights, and with Elnora by his side, nothing seemed impossible.

But there was Donni. Barely hanging on. The last update from the hospital hadn’t been promising. Internal bleeding, multiple organ failures—it was a miracle he was still alive at all. Mason didn’t like miracles; they were too unpredictable, too fragile. He preferred certainties, things he could control.

Elnora hadn’t asked about Donni directly, but he knew it was on her mind. The guilt was eating at her, he could see it in the way she threw herself into work, barely pausing to breathe. Maybe she thought if she kept moving, she wouldn’t have to face the reality that Donni might not make it.

“He’s still critical,” Mason had told her when she finally asked, her voice a brittle whisper. “The doctors are doing everything they can.”

That was the lie he told her. The truth was, Donni’s odds were slim, and Mason was already bracing for the worst. Replacing Donni wouldn’t be easy—the man was a ruthless bastard, loyal to a fault—but sentiment had no place in this. If Donni didn’t pull through, someone else would step up. They always did.

But that didn’t mean it wouldn’t sting. Mason had a history with Donni, a bond forged in blood and violence. Losing him would be like losing a part of himself—a part he wasn’t sure he could afford to lose. But he kept those thoughts buried deep, where they couldn’t touch him.

For now, he waited for a miracle and if he believed in God he would pray.

His mind moved on to Luis Elias. The deal had gone in their favour, but Mason didn’t trust the man as far as he could throw him. Elias had been forced to let Marcy go, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t try to retaliate. He was keeping a close eye on him, ready to deal with him if the old bastard stepped out of line. Antonio tailing Elias, with Giorgio keeping surveillance tight to make sure Elias understood just how thin the ice he was skating on really was.

And finally, there was Elnora. She was the wild card in all of this. Mason had never expected to care so much about someone, but there she was, a constant in his life that he wasn’t sure he deserved. He knew he needed to keep her close, protect her from the darkness that surrounded them. But he also knew she wasn’t some fragile flower—Elnora had proven she could hold her own, and that both excited and terrified him.

Mason’s phone dinged, the chime slicing through the noise of the club like a blade. He glanced at the screen, and everything inside him went cold.

~Donni didn’t make it.~

The words were a punch to the gut, knocking the breath from his lungs. His jaw tightened, the familiar weight of grief and rage settling in his chest, crushing him. Mason groaned, dropping his elbows onto his knees, his face buried in his hands as if trying to hold himself together.

Not Donni.

The thought echoed in his mind, a bitter mantra that he couldn’t shake. Antonio and Donni—his right hand and his left, the only two men he trusted completely in this godforsaken world. And now, one of them was gone, ripped away by a cruel twist of fate. Mason had seen death too many times to count, had delivered it with his own hands more times than he cared to remember. But this…this was different.

Donni was family. They’d been through hell together, carved their place in the world side by side. And now, Mason had to face the reality that he would never see Donni again, never hear his gruff voice or feel the magnitude of his unwavering loyalty. The grief was suffocating, but what ate at him even more was the knowledge that he couldn’t make Joe pay for this. Not without tearing apart the fragile alliance they’d just formed.

~Joe,~ he thought bitterly, ~you’ll never truly be forgiven for this.~

But he also knew he couldn’t afford to let his emotions rule him. Not now. Not when Elnora would be here soon. Mason forced himself to breathe, to think beyond the raw pain that was tearing him apart. He needed to stay strong, especially through this dinner before he told Elnora the news. But control was slipping through his fingers, and for the first time in a long time, he felt the terrifying ache in his chest.

His world was spinning, anger and grief threatening to consume him, when he heard her voice. Mason looked up, and everything else— the music, the room, the fury—faded into nothing. There was only Elnora, and she was breathtaking.

His eyes locked onto her as she slid into one of the two chairs at Table Eleven, her presence a balm to his tortured mind. She was stunning, wrapped in a deep brown leather dress that hugged her body like a second skin, spotting a high split. His mouth watered at the thought of tearing it off later, but then he remembered her warning about ripping her clothes. He smirked to himself—maybe he’d take it slow this time.

As he descended from the balcony, he passed the men who were eyeing her with open admiration. But she was his and he would enjoy tonight with her, no bad news, no distractions.

When she looked up from the menu and gave him that smile—the one that set his soul on fire—he winked at her.

“Well, hello there,” she teased, leaning back in her chair.

“Exquisite,” he murmured, his gaze roaming over her, devouring every inch. She licked her lips, clearly enjoying the effect she had on him.

“Thank you. But you should know, I’m waiting for someone and he doesn’t like strangers leering at me,” she said, crossing her legs with a playful smirk.

Mason tucked his hands into his pockets, his smile widening as he imagined the life they could have together. It was everything he wanted, and he was ready to start that journey.

“You know, I had a DB4 once,” he said as he lowered himself into the seat across from her.

She chuckled, leaning forward. “The same DB4 I’ve heard of but never seen?”

“Shush, you impossible woman. Let me finish,” he chided, and she rolled her eyes at him, those dazzling hazel eyes that he could never get enough of.