Page 5 of Silent Night With Adrian

The one who didn’t belong in this world. The one who—just like me—once dreamed of escaping it.

I grip the edge of the sink, staring at my reflection in the fogged-up mirror. Medium dark brown hair dripping, tattoos on my chest stark against my skin. My beard’s trimmed close, but my blue eyes—bloodshot, rimmed darker than ever—stare back at me, haunted.

It wasn’t always like this. She wasn’t always like this. I remember the first time I saw Mia, five years ago, when she was untouched by the darkness of this life. She was eighteen, about to leave for college, a girl who still had the fire of dreams in her eyes. The girl who’d dared to say she didn’t want to be here, didn’t want any of this.

I’d watched her from across the room at a party, drawn to her like a magnet. Her green eyes, so striking they cut through the crowd, met mine with a spark I hadn’t expected. She’d approached me, confident but hesitant, whispering words that no one else had the courage to say aloud.

“You don’t look like you want to be here,” she’d said, her voice soft but steady.

For a moment, I’d wanted to tell her the truth. That I didn’t belong here either, that every day I felt like I was sinking. But I couldn’t say it, couldn’t admit the weakness.

Mia... she’d been brave enough to say it for both of us.

I snap back to the present, the memory dissolving as I pull on a shirt and jeans, my jaw clenched. Mia’s image lingers, a ghost in my mind, a reminder of what could have been. But that was a long time ago, and she’s not that girl anymore.

When I step out of the bathroom, Massimo is leaning against the counter, watching me with that familiar intensity. “You’ve been avoiding me,” he says, tossing me a bottle of water. “But it’s time to face reality.”

I twist off the cap, taking a long drink. “What reality?”

Massimo’s expression hardens. “We’re not done with the Vitales. Marco was just the beginning.”

I stop, my pulse quickening. I already know what he’s going to say. It’s been two weeks since we took out Marco, and I’ve been trying to stay away from the inevitable next step. But there’s no avoiding it.

“We’re going after Mia Vitale,” he says, his voice as cold as steel. “The princess.”

Her name lands like a punch to the gut, the weight of what he’s saying hitting me full force.

“We’re going to kidnap her,” he continues, arms crossed over his chest. “Hold her as leverage. Force Dante to give up key territories in Vegas.”

Mia. The girl who wanted to escape. And now I’m the one who’s going to drag her back, pulling her deeper into the life she tried so hard to leave.

“This is for our father,” Massimo adds, his eyes hardening. “You know that.”

I swallow, the weight of the assignment pressing down on me. Kidnapping Mia isn’t just business. It’s personal.

“Fine,” I say, my voice cold. “I’ll handle it.”

Massimo claps a hand on my shoulder, nodding. “Good. We’ll go over the details tomorrow.”

He heads for the door, leaving me in the silence of my condo, my thoughts a storm raging inside. Mia Vitale was supposed to escape this world. Now, I’m about to bring her right back into its jaws.

Chapter 4 Mia

Present day

I’m about to throw my phone against the wall by the fifth time Dante’s name pops up on my screen. His timing couldn’t be worse. My law textbook is spread out in front of me, unread pages waiting, yet my focus keeps getting yanked away. Columbia's winter break should be a chance to reset, but that’s impossible with Dante’s demands interrupting.

Finally, I give in. “What, Dante?” My voice drips with irritation.

“Mimi,” he says, my childhood nickname a mockery now. “Tomorrow. You remember what’s planned, don’t you?”

“Like I’d forget,” I mutter. “But I have two papers due, and exams right after break. I need to study.”

“You can study after the sit-down,” he says firmly. “I need you there, Mimi. This family needs you.”

I grip the phone tighter. “I just… I want a break from this, Dante. Just one holiday where I’m not on display like some kind of—”

“Enough,” he cuts me off. “You know the family motto. ‘Step in where help is needed.’” He pauses, letting it sink in. “So step up.”

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