I sat alone in my room, the weight of recent events pressing down on me. 

Luca's funeral had left me raw, and the sorrow felt like a gaping wound that refused to heal. 

But as much as I wanted to drown in my grief, I knew I couldn't afford to. 

Luca's death wasn't just a personal loss; it was a stark reminder that our enemies were closer than we had realized.

I looked around the dimly lit room, my eyes scanning the familiar surroundings. The walls are covered in photographs and mementos. 

I needed to think, to connect the dots and figure out how Viktor Petrov had managed to stay one step ahead.

The information about the attack was only known by a select few—Alessio, Lorenzo, Massimo and myself, and Luca. 

Luca was gone, his loyalty never in question. Massimo, Alessio and Lorenzo, my closest confidants, had proven their allegiance time and time again. 

They would rather die than betray me. 

But someone had betrayed us, and I needed to find out who.

My mind raced as I considered the possibilities. 

Who else could have had access to our plans? 

My thoughts turned to the people who surrounded us daily, the ones who moved quietly in the background: the workers, the cleaners, the bartenders, and the chefs. 

These were the individuals who were often overlooked but had ears everywhere. 

Could one of them have been the leak?

I grabbed a notepad and a pen from my desk, jotting down every possible lead. 

Each name felt like a potential dagger aimed at my back. 

The thought that one of our own might be working with the Russians made my blood boil. 

I couldn't let Luca's death be in vain. I wouldn't rest until I had avenged him.

With determination fueling my every move, I picked up my phone and dialed Lorenzo's number. It rang twice before he answered, his voice tired but alert.

"Serafina, what's going on?" he asked, concern evident in his tone.

"We need to do a background check on everyone," I said, my voice steady but laced with urgency. "All the workers, bartenders, chefs, and house help at your, mine, and Alessio's place, also our bars. I want to know everything about them."

There was a brief silence on the other end before Lorenzo replied, "You think someone from the staff might be the leak?"

"It's a possibility we can't ignore," I said, the weight of my words settling heavily between us. "I want to know who we're dealing with."

"Understood," Lorenzo said, his voice firm. "I'll get on it right away."

As I hung up the phone, a sense of resolve washed over me. This was the first step towards finding answers. I couldn't let myself be consumed by grief. 

I had to channel my pain into action into finding justice for Luca.

Next, I dropped at text to Gabby and Lilly in our group chat. They should also be alerted.

꧁⭑⭒ NEGRONI ⭑⭒꧂

Me: Hey, Girls, I have a shitty task for you both.

Lilly: What is it? *annoyed eye rolling emoji*

Gabby: What happened, baby? *shaking face emoji*

Me: Keep a close eye on your house helps and avoid discussing anything in front of them.

Lilly: But why??? *grimacing face emoji*

Gabby: Aye Aye Le Capetta. You can't question Lady Moretti. Do as she says, Lilly, or else *knife                    emoji*

Me: I guess our intel is being compromised. Hence, it is safe if we keep our talks low.

Lilly: I am sorry that can't happen. *exhaling face emoji*

Gabby: Why??

Me: Why??!!!

Lilly: Your best Sniper is just toooo good with his aim. *weary face emoji* *disappointed face                     emoji*

Gabby: Oh girl, same, your ace dealer ain't quite either *cry emoji*

Me: How can you shameless creature say such things in front of a Holy Virgin????

Gabby: Ohh Lady Moretti, did we rub salt into the wound????  xD

Me: Shut up and do as I say.

Lilly: Yes sir.

Gabby: Yes sir.

Lilly: But really, Serafina, how do you expect us to keep things quiet when your sniper keeps giving me reasons to scream? *facepalm emoji*

Gabby: And don't get me started on those "business meetings" you keep setting up. He comes home frustrated and can't help it if the house helps overhear something... spicy. *wink emoji*

Me: *deep sigh emoji* You both will be the death of me.

Lilly: At least it'll be entertaining. *skull emoji*

Gabby: Yeah, we'll throw you a dramatic funeral. You'd love that. *sassy girl emoji*

Me: I swear... one more word and I'm sending both of you to guard the docks. In the cold. Alone.

Lilly: Okay, okay. *zipped mouth emoji*

Gabby: You're no fun. *pouting face emoji* But fine, I'll be good.

Me: Good. Now, back to business. Stay alert.

Lilly: Aye, Captain. *saluting emoji*

Gabby: *eye roll emoji*

These bitches.

I spent the next few hours in my room, going over every detail in my mind. 

I thought about the night of the attack, the preparations we had made, and the conversations we had. 

Every moment felt like a piece of a larger puzzle, and I was determined to fit them together.

I remembered the look in Luca's eyes the last time we spoke, the promise we had made to each other to see this through. 

The memory brought a fresh wave of tears, but I blinked them away, focusing instead on the task at hand. I couldn't afford to be weak. Not now.

As the hours ticked by, the house grew quiet, the silence amplifying my thoughts. 

I thought about the workers who moved through our lives so seamlessly. 

The ones who cleaned up after us, who prepared our meals, who tended to our needs without ever drawing attention to themselves. 

They were always there, always listening.

The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. It had to be someone on the inside. 

Someone who had access to our plans and had fed that information to the Russians. 

The idea of a mole in our midst made my skin crawl, but it also steeled my resolve.

I grabbed another notepad and began listing every staff member I could think of. 

I wrote down their names, their roles, and any peculiar behavior I had noticed. 

It was a long list, but I would go through it meticulously. No stone would be left unturned.

The hours passed in a blur of notes and thoughts. 

I barely noticed the sun beginning to rise, its light creeping into the room and casting long shadows on the walls. 

My eyes were heavy with exhaustion, but I couldn't stop. I had to keep going.

Just as I was about to call it a night, my phone buzzed with a message from Lorenzo.

"I've started the background checks. We should have some information by tomorrow."

I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for his efficiency. 

There was still a long way to go, but it was a start. 

I thanked him and put my phone down, leaning back in my chair and closing my eyes for a moment.

Luca's face flashed in my mind, his smile, his laughter. 

The memories were a stark contrast to the pain of losing him. He had been more than just a friend; he had been family. 

And family meant everything to me.

As I sat there, I thought about the promise I had made to myself. 

To protect those I loved, to fight for justice, to never back down. 

This betrayal had shaken me to my core, but it hadn't broken me. It had only made me stronger.

I stood up, stretched my tired muscles, and walked over to the window. 

The city was beginning to wake up, its streets coming to life with the bustle of the morning. 

I watched for a moment, letting the sights and sounds ground me.

I knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy. There would be more challenges and more losses. 

But I was ready to face them. 

For Luca, for my family, for myself.

As I turned away from the window, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. I wasn't alone in this fight.

I had my family, my allies, and my own strength to see me through. And I would find the traitor, no matter what it took.

With determination burning in my chest, I walked out of my room, ready to face whatever came next. 

This wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

And I would make sure that Luca's death was avenged.

For now, I had to focus on the task at hand. 

I heard a knock at the door. Light, cautious. It creaked open and Michele stepped inside.

He didn't say anything at first—just scanned the room, taking in the maps, the notepads, the red-rimmed eyes.

"I figured you'd be here," he said quietly.

"I couldn't sleep."

"I didn't expect you to."

I nodded and turned back toward the window. The city lights shimmered like dying stars.

"I keep thinking about the last thing he said to me," I whispered. "He made me promise. No matter what happened, I wouldn't give up. We'd fight together. That was the plan."

Michele crossed the room and sat beside me, his posture stiff but protective. I didn't look at him.

"Plans change," he murmured. "But the promise still stands. You're not alone, Serafina."

I leaned into his side, and to my surprise, he didn't flinch.

It was rare—so rare—to see Michele like this. Not the calculating strategist, not the cold-eyed interrogator. But the brother who'd held me when I was five and scared of thunder. The one who'd broken a boy's nose in school for laughing at my bruised knees. The one who, even now, in the quiet of death, still remembered how to be gentle.

I clung to that version of him. Just for a moment.

"I'm going to find the bastard who got him killed," I said, voice low but firm. "Even if I have to dig through every goddamn file myself."

He nodded. "You will. We will."

He kissed the top of my head—a rare gesture—and stood without another word.

His silence spoke volumes.

I watched him leave, then turned back to the desk.

The night wore on.

I barely noticed the hours slipping away, too deep in my thoughts. I wrote and rewrote names. I circled odd behaviors. I noted absences and patterns. Some of the names struck a chord. Vague memories came flooding back—odd glances, lingering footsteps, tension during quiet dinners.

When the first rays of morning hit the window, I blinked, realizing how long I'd been awake.

My phone buzzed again.

Lorenzo: "Checks are in motion. I'll have a list by evening."

Me: "Thank you."

I let the phone drop and rested my head against the desk. Just for a minute.

I thought of Luca again—his laugh, his pride, the way he always put himself between danger and me. I could almost hear his voice.

Don't break, Fina. You bend. You fight. But you never break.

I wouldn't.

I stood up, cracked my neck, and tied my hair back.

Today, I'd start asking questions. I'd start pulling threads. And I'd follow them, no matter where they led.

Because this wasn't just revenge.

It was justice.

And I was going to burn down anyone who stood in my way.