My coworkers stared openly as we passed. Sarah’s mouth fell open behind the bar. Marco, the head waiter, looked like he’d seen a ghost. They all knew me as quiet Ariel who never caused trouble. Now I was being led out by Luca Moretti like I belonged to him. I could feel their eyes burning into my back, questions they’d never get answers to.

Luca’s men moved like shadows around us, watching every corner, guns still drawn but lowered. One of them nodded at Luca as we reached the back door. “All clear, boss. Car’s waiting.”

The cool night air hit me as we stepped into the alley. My legs...