35

Vienna Lace, your average business woman. She was strong, stubborn, professional, beautiful, and full of confidence. Taking over her father's company was supposed to be easy, but when the Italian mafia gets involved, it turns to complete chaos.

Especially when a rogue mafia leader is rising to power.

***

My heart was pounding against my chest as I watched the two men struggle. Fear snatched all of my common sense away, paralyzing me.

My eyes didn't leave the fight, I was too focused on him. He was protecting me and it felt so wrong. I did something so cruel to someone like him, why isn't he leaving me to endure the pain?

I wanted to scream for them to stop, for him to stop. The man he was fighting was so much stronger than him, but he didn't back down. The fire of rage burned within his silver colored eyes.

I swear my heart stopped three times in the past fifteen minutes. Neither one of them seemed tired and ready to submit.

He dodged each of the man's hits with swiftness. His own hits were carefully thought out and delivered obvious pain.

"You're a fool, boy." The larger man growled.

He didn't break eye contact, "I believe you're the fool here, Angelo."

The man's eyes flashed as he suddenly grabbed him by the throat. I snapped my attention to the ally as two men walked out. I let out a noise before the one covered my mouth.

He didn't have time to defend himself before the second man snatched him by the throat and slammes him onto the ground.

Aneglo smirked at him as he stood before him. He spit out some blood and climbed to his feet.

Angelo chuckled, "It's a shame you left the family business, little brother. Such a shame."

Tears pooled into my eyes as Angelo pulled out a knife and shoved it into his stomach.

He coughed up blood as he doubled over. His grey eyes found mine as a small smile appeared on his face.

"I-I guess I s-screwed th-this up...huh?"

I was forced to watch as he fell to the ground.

"Stefano!"

2 months earlier

"Dad, I can handle it." I chuckled, offering a reassuring smile.

He smiled, "I know you can, Vienna, but it's not the company that I'm worried about."

I furrowed my eyebrows, "Then...what is the issue?"

He released a breath before dragging me into his office. He sat at his desk, running a hand through his greying hair.

"I do get a little over half my money from running the company. But...there's another...side business that gives me the most of my wealth." He started.

I tilted my head, "Side business?"

He nodded, "Close the door."

I quickly closed it before taking a seat, waiting for him to continue. He seemed hesitant, his eyes were glazed over with thought.

"Your brother knew of this business, was a part of it. I wanted him to take over, considering the men wouldn't take advantage of him. However, because of this business, he was killed."

I frowned, "But you said it was a car crash that killed him."

I remembered that day, two years ago. It was a horrible day, my mother hasn't been herself since then.

"I lied. I had the newspaper lie, the press, and so on. He wasn't killed in a car crash, he was killed by a man known as the rogue mafia boss." He explained.

"This rogue mafia boss was apparently part of the other Italian mafia group. His older brother, Angelo, was constantly having trouble with him. He was rebellious, cold hearted, and jealous. I don't know why, but it caused him to kill his own father."

"He went missing right after his father's death, until he sent a letter to Angelo. Since then, it has been...stressful." he explained.

I bit my lip, "So...this rogue boss...is...Vincent's murderer?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so."

It was quiet for a few seconds as I digested this information. I could feel the first sparks of anger ignite within my chest. I clasped my hands together, making a silent promise to my brother, that I'll get revenge.

I snapped my attention back to my father.

"I can handle this, dad. Trust me."

I frowned as I scanned through the files, none of them says anything about Angelo's younger brother. I can't even get a first name.

My father warned me that Angelo had tried erasing any and all evidence of his brother. He no longer wanted to be related to him, he even claims he's an only child. Not even his mother says anything about her other son. She has told people that she never had another son.

Talk about being shunned.

I ran my hand through my hair, maybe I should go and talk to this Angelo guy. I need to avenge my brother and end the existence of this rogue mafia boss.

"Vienna, what are you doing?"

I snapped my head up to see my secretary and friend, giving me a concerned look.

I sighed, "Trying to find information on this rogue mafia boss who killed my brother."

"You know what your father said." She replied.

"I know, but if I can just find him-

"Vienna, stop it. Searching for this guy could be dangerous. You don't know who he is or how he acts. What if he kills you? Do you want to put your parents through that?"

"No..."

It was quiet for a few seconds before a question formed in my head.

"Do you think my father knows his name? I mean, you helped my father with this mafia for years." I asked.

She sighed, "No, he doesn't. No one knows Angelo's brother's name. We just call him Rogue now. All I know is that he's an extremely dangerous man."

"How so?"

She seemed to think over her answer, she finally released a breath.

"Put it this way, Rogue gets what he wants. Every.Single.Time."

I gulped, she just nodded and grabbed a file.

"Anyway, you have a meeting in an hour. A new company is forming and the owner wants to get to know you and the company." She said.

I frowned, "That's odd."

"Not when you want to know your competitors."

After she left I opened up the file and skimmed through it. I pursed my lips as I read over his name.

Damon Blood.

I was thinking Damon Blood would be this chubby, happy, business man. He was a business man, but he wasn't exactly happy and loved the gym.

My secretary could have warned me that he had looks of a Calvin Klein model. However, this isn't the time to flirt, I have a title to uphold.

I plastered on a smile and shook his hand, "Good morning, Mr.Blood."

He smirked, "Good morning...uh...I'm assuming you aren't Mr.Lace?"

"No, I'm his daughter and new owner of the company."

"Ah, so, we're both new to this."

I nodded, "Seems like it. Now, take a seat and we'll start this meeting."

He quietly took a seat as I took mine, we were both silent until he cleared his throat. I snapped my attention to him and raised an eyebrow at his dazed expression.

"I, uh, I just wanted to meet you. I like to know about all of my competitors and maybe, future partners." He started.

I raised an eyebrow, "Future partners?"

"Yeah, you know, merging companies and all."

I chuckled, "Well, I'm hoping I don't become an enemy."

"That would be in your best interests." He grinned.

I felt uncomfortable at the slight angry glint in his eyes. I had a feeling that there was a double meaning to his reply. However, I didn't dig deeper into that. I continued smile and took out a few files.

"Well, what is your conpany for?" I askes, changing the subject.

He relaxed and placed his briefcase down. "We manufacture things."

"What type of things?"

"Weapons."

I nodded, "Well, as you should know, my father's company is a fashion company."

"I never thought of your father as the designer type."

"He always had the talent for it, my mother pushed him into it. My mother makes the clothes while he designs them." I explained.

"Are you a designer as well?" He asked.

I nodded, "I was lucky to get my father's talent. My older brother was more into designing buildings."

"Does he have his own company?"

"No." I whispered. "He died two years ago."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have...." he sighed before smiling shyly. "I screwed this up, huh?"

I chuckled, "No, you're just the curious type of guy."

We became silent again, I pursed my lips as I tapped my pen on the desk. I looked up at Damon to see him texting on his phone. His jaw was clenched and his eyes held irritation.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

He looked up, "Uh, yeah, just a business partner of mine being...stupid. So...what was your brother's name?"

"Vincent."

He stiffened, "Vincent Lace."

"Yeah, that's him...why? You knew him?"

"N-no...well, sort of. He shouldn't have died that night." He blurted out.

I tilted my head, "You know, company owners don't usually have meetings just so they can chit chat. Do you want me as a partner or something?"

He laughed, "I don't think clothes and weapons go along."

I smirked, "Unless you combine them."

"You have an idea, Miss. Lace?"

"No." I grinned.

After Damon left I frowned, he was an odd young man. Never before have I heard of company owners meeting so they could get to know eacb other. I shrugged it off though, I guess I have more to learn about the business world.

However, there's something odd about him. He doesn't seem like the most welcoming guy. Sure, he was nice to me, but not when he said me not being his enemy would be in my best interests.

I bit my lip, this man is dangerous.

"Jade, can you bring in all of your files on Damon Blood?" I asked my secretary.

Two minutes later she walked in with only two files.

"This is all I could find." She frowned.

I thanked her before ushering her out. I quickly locked the door and started my homework.

"Well, Damon, let's see who you are." I mumbled.