Chapter 3

Grace’s POV

Of course, I didn’t understand much of the message Elio delivered, but I decided to let it go and not dwell on it. He probably has other plans, considering that his men are also present in the café.

I clear my throat, trying to avoid looking directly at him. For a man in his thirties, Elio looks… well, let’s just say he’s dangerously attractive.

"Do you have any more questions for me?" I ask, absentmindedly playing with the cup of hot chocolate in my hands.

Elio leans back in his chair, his eyes gleaming with interest. "I’m curious if a man came into this café," he says, his tone casual, but with an edge that makes my stomach churn. "He betrayed me and can’t escape so easily. Do you know what happens to traitors, sì?" He finishes with a sly smile, and I swallow hard.

"Well… I’m not curious to find out," I reply quickly. "The man went to the bathroom."

Elio’s smile widens, though there’s something cold about it. "Interesting," he murmurs, leaning forward slightly. "Then perhaps I’ll have to wait a little longer to deal with our friend."

The way he speaks, with that smooth Italian accent and the effortless menace behind his words, sends a shiver down my spine. I try to focus on my hot chocolate, but every now and then, my gaze flits back to him. His presence is overwhelming, like a storm waiting to break.

"So, Grace," Elio continues, his voice a velvety purr, "tell me about yourself. What are your plans once you escape from your father’s shadow?"

I stiffen, caught off guard by the question. "I… I plan to finish school and then go somewhere far away," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "Maybe even another country."

Elio’s eyes narrow, studying me with an intensity that feels almost invasive. "And what if I told you there might be another way out? An opportunity to leave all this behind, but with a price?"

My heart races at his words. What could he possibly mean by that? "What kind of opportunity?" I ask, unable to hide the curiosity in my voice.

Elio’s gaze remains fixed on me, his smile now a hint of something more sinister. "I’m offering you a choice," he says softly. "Stay here and continue playing the dutiful daughter, or take a chance on something that might change your life forever. But remember, every choice has its price."

I stare at him, my mind racing. The idea of escaping my current life is tantalizing, but the thought of making a deal with someone like Elio is terrifying.

"What are you suggesting?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Elio leans closer, his breath warm against my ear. "Meet me tonight," he says, his voice a dangerous whisper. "I’ll explain everything then. Until then, try to keep your wits about you. This café… it’s just the beginning."

With that, he stands up, his movement graceful and deliberate. He gives me one last, piercing look before turning and striding out of the café, his men following closely behind. The door swings shut behind him, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the lingering sense of unease.

I sit there for a few moments, the weight of his words sinking in. What kind of deal is he offering? And what will it cost me?

My hands tremble slightly as I place the cup of hot chocolate back on the table, my mind swirling with questions. What did Elio mean by a “choice” that could change my life? And why me? I’m not involved in my father’s business. I’m just the daughter—kept out of sight, out of danger. Or so I thought.

I glance toward the door where Elio had just exited, his shadow still lingering in my mind like a dark cloud. His presence had been intoxicating, drawing me in with the allure of something dangerous, something forbidden. I knew I should have felt relieved that he was gone, but instead, my pulse thrummed with an electric current of both fear and excitement.

What could he possibly want from me?

I pull my jacket tighter around myself, trying to shake the unease that clings to me like a second skin. Elio’s words replay in my mind. “Meet me tonight… I’ll explain everything then.” A part of me wants to run, to get as far away from this as possible. But another part—a darker, more curious part—wants to know. Wants to understand what kind of world Elio lives in, and why he would offer me a way out.

My thoughts are interrupted by the door to the café swinging open again. I instinctively tense, expecting to see Elio’s men returning for me. But it’s just a couple of locals, their chatter filling the small space. I relax slightly, though the tension in my chest remains.

I need to think.

I’ve spent so many years dreaming of escape—of breaking free from my father’s iron grip and the suffocating life of the mafia. And now, Elio—a man who is no less dangerous than my father, but infinitely more tempting—offers me a way out. But at what cost? I know better than to believe someone like him would help me without expecting something in return.

“Every choice has its price.” His words linger like a warning.

I glance at the clock on the wall. It’s still early afternoon, but the hours are ticking by too quickly for comfort. I don’t even know where Elio wants to meet, but somehow, I feel that won’t be a problem. If Elio wants me somewhere, he’ll find a way to ensure I show up. The thought sends another shiver down my spine. How much does he know about me? Does he know my routines, where I live, who my friends are?

I shake my head, trying to push the paranoia aside. I need to focus.

What would it mean to make a deal with a man like Elio? To align myself with him could mean severing ties with my father completely. Maybe even burning bridges that can’t be rebuilt. I’ve seen the way my father handles disloyalty, and the thought of betraying him, even for my freedom, is enough to make my stomach twist in knots.

But then I think of the endless nights of overhearing hushed conversations, of seeing bloodstains on my father’s suit when he thinks I’m not paying attention. I think of the future my father envisions for me—married off to some business associate, a pawn in his endless quest for power.

That is not the life I want.

I stand up abruptly, grabbing my purse and tossing a few bills onto the table. I need air. I push through the café’s door and step outside, the crisp afternoon breeze biting at my cheeks. For a moment, I just stand there, breathing in the cool air and trying to calm the frantic beating of my heart. The street is bustling with people going about their day, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing in my life.

I could disappear right now. Just walk away, leave the café, and never look back. Go home, pretend this meeting with Elio never happened. But I know it’s not that simple. If I don’t show up tonight, Elio will come for me. Of that, I have no doubt.

I start walking, my feet carrying me aimlessly through the city streets. The familiar sights of shops and restaurants blur past me as I lose myself in thought. What would life with Elio be like? He’s dangerous, yes, but there’s something else about him—something that draws me in, even against my better judgment. The way he looks at me, like he can see right through the polished exterior I present to the world. Like he knows there’s more to me than the quiet, obedient daughter my father expects.

And for the first time, I wonder if that’s true.

What if I’m more than just the girl in the shadows? What if there’s a side of me that’s ready to break free, ready to take risks? To make my own choices, even if they’re dangerous?

I stop at a corner, staring blankly at the crosswalk in front of me. My mind is made up, even if my heart is still racing with fear. Tonight, I’ll meet Elio. I have to know what he’s offering. I have to know if this is my chance to finally escape.

Because deep down, I know the truth: I’m already living in a cage. What’s one more risk if it means I might finally be free?