The Don's Favorite lover Vanished (by Melissa Z) novel Chapter 7

**Chapter 7**

The Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago radiated an opulence that was almost overwhelming, its grandeur heightened by the occasion.

Tonight, every crime boss in the city had gathered beneath its towering arches. The atmosphere was thick and intoxicating, a blend of expensive perfumes mingling with the acrid scent of gunpowder. It felt like a scene from a dark fairy tale, where shadows danced with the flickering candlelight.

I found myself lurking in the shadows, a solitary figure amidst the chaos of wealth and power.

Then, like a vision from a storybook, Katerina emerged, draped in a breathtaking Vera Wang gown that clung to her curves and shimmered with every step. A diamond tiara glimmered in her hair, catching the light and reflecting it like a thousand tiny stars. She looked every bit the princess, a perfect image of beauty and grace.

As she approached, her gaze dropped to my chest, where the black diamond phoenix necklace rested—a piece I had crafted with my own hands for my eighteenth birthday. It had been a gift for Vincenzo, a symbol of my devotion. But just days ago, he had instructed Marco to return it to me, a gesture that felt like a cruel twist of fate.

Katerina’s voice, sweet but laced with malice, cut through the air. “That poor little bird,” she said, her tone dripping with venom. “So lonely now that its owner has discarded it. Tell me, Chiara, does it hurt? Knowing you were so easily replaced?”

Before I could muster a response, Vincenzo’s voice sliced through the tension like a knife.

“Darling, what are you discussing with my soldier?”

He strode over, his presence powerful and commanding, his arm wrapping possessively around Katerina’s waist. He didn’t even spare me a glance, as if I were merely a piece of furniture in the grand room.

“Nothing,” Katerina replied, her lips forming a pout. “I just thought Miss Chiara looked a bit lonely standing over here all by herself.”

“A soldier stays in her post,” Vincenzo commanded, his voice cold and unyielding. “Chiara. Hold your position.”

With a practiced smile plastered on my face, I raised my champagne glass in a mock salute. “Yes, Boss.”

The orchestra began to play a waltz, the music swirling around us like a gentle breeze.

Vincenzo took Katerina by the hand, leading her to the center of the dance floor where they became the focal point of the crowd’s admiration. They were the perfect couple, a picture of elegance and allure, basking in the envy of onlookers.

Then, without warning, the lights extinguished, plunging the cathedral into darkness.

For a brief moment, silence enveloped the space, a collective breath held in anticipation. Then, the stillness shattered as the sound of automatic weapons erupted, tearing through the air like a storm.

Rat-tat-tat-tat!

Screams filled the void, the chaos erupting around me as glass shattered and tables toppled.

“Get down!” someone shouted, panic lacing their voice.

“It’s a hit! The Torrinos!” another voice screamed, and instinct took over.

I swiftly drew the Glock from my thigh holster, my heart racing as I sought refuge behind a stone pillar.

In the darkness, the flashes from gunfire illuminated the chaos like shooting stars, each burst a reminder of the danger that surrounded us.

“Katerina!” Vincenzo’s voice, raw and laced with an unfamiliar panic, pierced through the cacophony. “Katerina, where are you?!”

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