The Devil I Thought I Knew

"Greetings, my Lord," she said quickly, standing up straight and bowing deeply.

Lorenzo stepped out from the side room, drying his hands with a towel. His piercing gaze locked on her as he approached.

"How bold," he said in a calm yet intimidating tone.

Eva’s heart pounded as she immediately dropped to her knees. "I came to thank you for allowing me to be part of this clan," she said, striving to sound as sincere as possible.

Lorenzo stared at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spoke.

"You should leave. Being part of this clan doesn’t guarantee your survival if you betray us," he said coldly.

Eva nodded quickly. "I understand," she replied, rising carefully to her feet.

She walked out the door, her steps steady despite the lingering pain.

"Keep your guard up—I can see right through you," he muttered to himself, his gaze shifting to the box under the chair. Slowly, he reached for it and opened it, sorting through the documents inside. His hand paused on a photograph that had a note stuck to it.

He picked it up, casting a quick glance at it, a soft chuckle slipping from his lips after reading the notes. Rising to his feet, he faced the mirror, his reflection staring back at him. His gaze held for a moment before his hands reached up, slowly peeling away the mask, revealing the true face behind Lorenzo's: Marco.

******

The Luca Clan’s estate buzzed with celebration, but beneath the laughter and music lay the ever-present tension of their world. Tonight, they were welcoming a new member—Eva—a fierce and determined recruit.

The sprawling hall was adorned in the Luca Clan's signature colors of dark crimson and gold. Guests mingled beneath glittering chandeliers, sipping wine and exchanging stories of the clan’s daring exploits, many now centered on their newest recruit.

In a quiet corner, Vanessa stood apart from the crowd, dressed simply in black pants and a tank top. She observed the scene silently, her expression unreadable.

At the far end of the room, Don Marco sat at the head of a long table. His sharp features and cold eyes bore the weight of leadership, his presence demanding attention. Beside him stood Brian, his trusted consigliere, whose calm yet calculating demeanor made him equally intimidating.

The room fell silent as Marco rose, his glass of whiskey in hand. His voice, firm and steady, resonated effortlessly across the hall.

"Tonight, we welcome someone who has proven herself," he began, his piercing eyes shifting toward Eva. "Eva, step forward."

Eva, dressed in a sleek black dress, emerged from the crowd. Her expression was composed, but her mind raced. Every step she took toward Marco brought her closer to the revenge she had planned for years.

"You’ve shown strength, skill, and loyalty," Marco continued. "You’ve earned your place in this family. But know this, being part of the Luca Clan isn’t just about loyalty. It’s about becoming one with us, living and dying for the family."

Brian handed Marco a ceremonial dagger. Marco turned to Eva, his voice dropping into something colder. "Do you swear to uphold the code of this family? To protect it with your life and never betray it?"

Eva met his eyes without flinching. "I swear."

Marco gestured for Eva to kneel. As she obeyed, he took a small blade and made a shallow cut on her palm, then on his own. Pressing their hands together, their mingled blood sealed the ritual.

"Blood for blood. Loyalty until death," Marco intoned solemnly.

"Loyalty until death," Eva echoed, her voice steady. But internally, she scoffed. Loyalty until death? Yeah, right.

The room erupted into applause, but Marco’s gaze never left Eva. He handed her a glass of red wine. "Drink. Tonight, you become one of us."

Eva raised the glass, her hands steady despite the whirlwind in her heart, and drank. Cheers filled the room again as the band began to play, and the party truly began.

At the edge of the room, Olivia rolled her eyes, her disdain for the spectacle barely concealed.

As the celebration unfolded, Eva moved through the crowd, smiling and exchanging polite words with other members. Yet inside, she was anything but calm. The blood oath she had just taken was a façade, a necessary step in her plan.

From across the room, Marco and Brian watched her closely.

"She’s sharp," Brian murmured, swirling his whiskey. "But sharp blades cut both ways."

Marco smirked, his eyes narrowing. "That’s why we keep our enemies close," he replied.

Brian turned to face him, but Marco had already risen from his seat. Without another word, he strode out of the hall, leaving Brian to watch him disappear into the dark hallways.

****

Eva was still smiling with some members when a subtle vibration on her wrist stole her attention...the bracelet linked to the Valentino clan. Its signal was discreet, meant only for her to feel.

Keeping her expression composed, she excused herself with a soft smile and slipped out of the hall. A quick glance over her shoulder confirmed no one was following until Vanessa walk past her like a shadow.

"Be wise," Vanessa murmured, her voice low.

Eva raised an eyebrow, confused, but before she could ask anything, Vanessa had already disappeared.

"Is she even human?" Eva muttered under her breath, shaking off the encounter as she moved toward the quiet garden.

Once there, she tapped the bracelet, lifting her hands to her hair to mimic fixing it...an act of casual disguise. The line connected.

"Finally ready to prove your loyalty to the clan?" a voice said through the bracelet.

Eva barely had time to answer before a hand shot out from behind, grabbing her wrist in a vice like grip. Her bracelet was yanked to the intruder’s ear in a swift, calculated motion.

Eva’s heart raced, her breath hitching as she twisted to free herself, but her strength was no match especially with her injuries slowing her down.

"What’s this? A communication spy device?" The person asked sharply, their words making Eva’s eyes widen as she struggled to stay calm.