Freddy's POV

The decision was made, but the execution of it would take time. Walking away from an empire built on power, blood, and fear wasn’t as simple as signing a few papers and disappearing. Freddy DeLuca wasn’t just a businessman—he was a legend in the underworld, a force that had shaped New York’s criminal empire for over a decade.

But legends could be buried. And Freddy was ready to bury his.

The morning after our conversation, I woke up before sunrise. The bed beside me was empty, but the warmth lingering on the sheets told me Aliana hadn’t been gone long. I ran a hand down my face, inhaling...