Chapter 1 PROLOGUE
I hope you enjoy this new dark romance! 🖤 I apologize in advance for any translation mistakes or awkward phrasing. I always do my best to provide an enjoyable reading experience, and I truly appreciate your patience and support. Happy reading!
Christopher Santoro.
The smoke from my cigar rises slowly as I watch the lights of Valdoria through the enormous office window. The city never sleeps. People work, negotiate, lie, die... and rack up debts they can't repay.
Desperation makes for good business.
Three knocks interrupt the silence.
“Come in.”
One of my men enters the office and stops in front of my desk.
“Sir, the Valentini family missed the deadline. They promised to pay this week, but the money never came.”
I open the folder on my desk. Two million euros. An insignificant amount to me, but apparently enough to make two idiots believe they can play games with the Santoro family.
When we first came to collect, they ran. The second time, they promised to pay.
And now?
“I warned them there wouldn't be another chance,” I remark, closing the folder. “Apparently, they didn't believe me.”
“What would you like us to do, sir?”
I bring the cigar to my lips.
“I want my two million.”
“And if they don't have the money?”
“Seize everything of value. Properties, vehicles, and jewelry. If you have to take every last cent by force, do it.”
“And if that isn't enough?”
“Then look inside them. Kidneys, livers, corneas... There are buyers willing to pay very well for certain parts of the human body.”
I tap the ash from my cigar into the ashtray.
“You can break their bones, pull out their teeth, or leave them begging on their knees. I don't care about the method. I want results.”
The man nods without showing any surprise.
“And if they keep insisting they have nothing?”
“Then find out if they're lying. But don't waste an entire night listening to pleas. I have no interest in suffering that doesn't produce money.”
I approach the window, studying my reflection in the glass.
“If they try to run again, find them. And if there's absolutely nothing left that could cover the debt, I see no reason to keep them alive.”
“Understood, sir.”
“But I want to be informed before you bring the collection to a permanent end.”
He inclines his head.
“Yes, sir.”
I gesture for him to leave and wait until the door closes.
I turn my attention back to Valdoria. Somewhere in this city, the Valentinis probably believe they can still negotiate with me. Perhaps they're scraping together what little savings they have or praying that I'll show mercy.
I almost smile.
Mercy.
I don't consider myself an unjust man. I lent them money, set a deadline, and gave them opportunities to honor our agreement. I'm not responsible for the consequences of other people's stupidity.
Nor do I need to hate someone to order their death.
All it takes is for them to owe me money and believe they can keep it.
I take one last drag from my cigar.
The Valentinis have had more than enough chances to pay.
Now they're going to find out how much it costs to stay alive.
