Elara could hear the police outside, shouting through megaphones. Their voices echoed down the narrow marble halls of the Galleria:
“You’re surrounded! Lay down your weapons and release the hostages!”
Inside, the boutique felt ten degrees colder than it did an hour ago.
One of the assailants paced near the display window, phone pressed tight to his ear. His voice was hoarse with tension.
"If you give us a car out of here, and a private plane on standby, no one gets hurt. Do you hear me? That's the deal. No tricks."
Across the room, one of the other men–the jumpy one–grabbed a woman near the scarves display and shoved her to her knees. She cried out, scrambling to steady herself.
Before anyone else could react, Andre stepped forward.
"Don't touch her."
The man turned, gun swinging toward him. "You want to be a hero?"
"You don't handle women like that," Andre said flatly. "Not in this country. Not anywhere."
The room went still again.
The gunman's voice dripped mockery. "Oh really? And who the hell are you supposed to be?"
That’s when the smallest of details changed everything.
The glint of silver caught the light–just below Elias's cuff, a heritage ring slipped into view. Ancient design. Carved insignia. A mark only the elite would know.
The man closest to him squinted. Then his eyes widened.
"Fuck."
One of the others backed up a step. "No… no way."
"They're marked,” the first said, voice now panicked. "That's a Calviero crest–"
Another dropped a curse, loud and sharp. "They're part of the five families. We're in big fucking trouble."
Elara's heart beat like thunder, but she kept her eyes on Thiago, who hadn't moved an inch. He was calm. His gaze calculating.
The assailants had no idea what kind of storm they'd just invited in.
And it was only just beginning.
---
Alessandro Calviero hated mall culture, corporate franchises, and public outings in general–but tonight, he hated something more.
His phone rang once. Twice. Then a third time.
He answered on the fourth with a sigh. "Salvatore. What now?"
"Dad," Salvatore said, voice low and clipped. "We have a situation. Call Mr. Moreira and Mr. Vasiliev."
Alessandro straightened in his seat. "What kind of situation?"
"A hostage one," Salvatore said. "Elias just called me. Elara, Nico, Elias, Thiago Moreira, and Anastasia Vasilieva are inside a hostage situation. At the mall. It's not too serious criminals, but they have guns and are pretty trigger-happy."
Silence.
Alessandro stood.
"Where are you now?" he asked.
"Ten minutes out. Luca's with me. Matteo too. We're going there now."
"I'll handle the families."
He hung up and dialed. One ring. Two.
"Vasiliev," a cold voice answered with a deep Russian accent.
"Your daughter is inside the local mall. She's in a hostage situation. With mine."
YOU ARE READING
Inheritance Redefined
General FictionIn a family shaped by shadows, her light might be their only hope - or their greatest weakness. When Elara's mother marries into the infamous Calviero family, her world changes overnight. At just fifteen, she's thrust into a dangerous realm ruled by...
