Page 10 of Power
I’m not proud of it. I don’t need to be. This is war.
When they bring her to me, she’s limp in their arms. Her breathing steady, but slow.
I look down at her with admiration. She’s tough, I’ll give her that. But she doesn’t stand a chance against me.
It’s time to make my move.
I sit back in the plush chair and my eyes lock on Vittoria as she remains unconscious on the floor, still and quiet. The sedative will wear off soon enough, but until then, there’s nothing to do but prepare. The game is in motion, and there’s no turning back now.
My right hand, Raffaele, knocks on the door before entering.
“Everything’s in place,” he says, his deep voice cutting through the stillness. He’s dressed in black, his usual attire, eyes scanning the room as if everything in it could be a threat.
“You got her here without a problem?” I ask, not looking away from Vittoria.
“Easy. You should’ve seen the way she passed out. Like clockwork.” His smirk is barely noticeable, but I catch it.
Raffaele stands a few feet away, still observing. He’s used to my methods, even if he doesn’t always agree with them. “She will be awake in a few hours, right?”
“Yeah,” I reply, glancing up at him. “We’ll move her when she’s coherent.”
Raffaele’s eyes narrow for a second, his eyes going back to Vittoria. “You sure you want to do this? I mean, it’s risky. If Enzo finds out…”
“Let him find out.”
The sound of footsteps echoes through the hall, followed by the creak of the door opening.
Dannika enters, her usual bright energy filling the space, though she seems to hesitate when she sees the scene in front of her. The sight of an unconscious woman on the floor is enough to make her stop short.
“What’s going on, sir?” she asks, her voice filled with concern, though there’s a hint of curiosity too. She’s always been like that—too curious for her own good sometimes.
“Nothing to worry about, Dannika,” I say, standing up and walking toward her, the weight of what I’ve just done hanging heavy on my chest. “Just a little… business.”
She raises an eyebrow but doesn’t push. Her eyes dart to the woman on the floor, then back to me. “I’ll make breakfast if that’s alright. I know you’ve got a lot on your mind, and I’m sure you haven’t eaten.”
I nod, grateful for the distraction. “Yeah, that’d be good.”
As she walks past, I can’t help but notice the way her eyes linger on me. I am not used to softness. She’s always had some sort of affection for me—something I’ve never reciprocated and done my fair share to ignore.
I focus back on Raffaele. He stands like he always does—solid, unshaken, like nothing in this world could so much as move him. Broad shoulders, a lean build, and the sharp edges of his military past still evident. Years in Afghanistan carved out every unnecessary movement from him, leaving only precision. His face is unreadable with dark eyes fixed on me, waiting.
“We’ll get what we need and get her out of here before anyone notices.”
“Understood,” Raffaele says, his voice even, practical. No wasted words, no unnecessary questions. Then he’s gone, disappearing into the hall without another word.
Dannika returns shortly, carrying a tray of coffee and pastries. She sets it down on the table in front of me and her hands brush mine for just a second.
I don’t react, but I notice it. I’ve always noticed it.
“Anything else I can do?” she asks as she leans against the counter with that same soft smile. I can tell she’s still thinking about the woman in the room.
I hesitate. “No, just… stay out of sight for now. I’ve got things to handle.”
She nods, but an undeniable hint of regret lingers in her eyes before she turns and walks out.
The minutes tick by, and my thoughts are a mess. Vittoria is still out of it, but I revel in the knowledge that I now have the power to control her—control this whole situation. It’s a feeling I could get used to.
Still, something about her throws me off.
