Page 22 of Secret Bratva Twins

Chapter Nine - Serge

The conference room is set in a pristine high-rise overlooking downtown Chicago. It’s far too polished for the blood-soaked history that brought us here.

Lorenzo Vinci, a man I never expected to see on my turf, sits across from me. His tailored suit screams wealth, but there’s something off about his composure. He’s too eager, too tense. This meeting isn’t just about business; it’s about desperation.

Roman stands near the door, arms crossed and eyes scanning for any sign of betrayal. His silent presence is a comfort. I turn my attention back to Lorenzo, who flashes me a tight smile.

“I appreciate you taking the time to meet, Mr. Sharov,” he begins, his voice steady, but his hands fidget slightly with his watch. “We both know that despite past… incidents, there’s potential here.”

“Potential,” I echo, leaning back in my chair. My tone is clipped, and I let the weight of my disinterest settle over him. “You’re going to have to be more specific than that.”

He nods, shifting slightly in his seat. “Four years ago, Chiara began laying the groundwork for a partnership between our families. It was ambitious. Joint ventures in luxury development, both here and in Europe. We’d both profit immensely. Unfortunately, circumstances derailed those plans.”

Circumstances. The word almost makes me laugh. As if Chiara poisoning me and vanishing into thin air were merely a scheduling hiccup.

“Your point?” I ask, my tone sharp enough to make Roman glance over.

“I’m here to propose a continuation of that partnership,” Lorenzo says. “We both stand to gain significantly.”

I study him for a moment, the gears in my mind turning. This is about more than business. It always is. “What makes you think I’d agree?”

Lorenzo smirks faintly, but there’s no confidence behind it. “Because I know where Chiara is.”

My body stills, and for the first time since entering this meeting, he has my undivided attention. He leans forward, emboldened by my silence.

“She’s been lying low, hiding like a coward,” he continues. “She’s still a threat to me, though. Too many people in our circle are loyal to her, hoping she’ll return and… reclaim what’s hers.”

“So you want me to deal with her,” I say flatly. “Clean up your family mess.”

“It benefits us both,” Lorenzo replies. “I get rid of a rival, and you get what you’ve been hunting for years.”

I arch a brow, feigning disinterest even as my blood simmers beneath the surface. “Why would I trust you?”

Lorenzo leans back, exuding a calculated calm. “Because I don’t care about her. Chiara was an illegitimate child. My father tolerated her, but she was never truly part of the family. She’s a loose end, one I want tied off permanently.”

There it is—the resentment, the insecurity that oozes from every word he speaks. It’s not just business to him; it’s personal. He wants Chiara gone not just because she’s a threat, but because she’s everything he isn’t: capable, beloved, and fearless.

“I’ll need proof,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “I don’t deal in vague promises.”

“I expected nothing less,” Lorenzo replies. “You’ll have her location by the end of the week. I want assurances that when this is done, our partnership moves forward.”

I glance at Roman, who gives a barely perceptible nod. Turning back to Lorenzo, I allow a slow, calculated grin to form. “If you deliver, we’ll talk.”

The tension in the room shifts as Lorenzo rises, extending a hand. “Then we have a deal.”

I don’t shake it. Instead, I stand, my towering frame forcing him to look up. “We’ll see if you’re as good as your word, Vinci. Don’t waste my time.”

His hand drops awkwardly, and he nods before excusing himself. As soon as the door closes, Roman steps forward.

“What do you think?” he asks.

“I think he’s scared,” I say, moving toward the window. The city stretches out below, a reminder of the power I wield here. “He knows Chiara’s a better leader than he’ll ever be. He doesn’t want a partnership; he wants an execution.”

Roman grunts in agreement. “So you’re going to give him one?”

A dark chuckle escapes me. “Oh, I’ll deal with her, but not in the way he thinks.” My gaze hardens as I stare out at the skyline. “Chiara will pay for what she did. On my terms.”

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