...The cold wind howled through the dark alleyways of the city, carrying the scent of rain and something far more dangerous—blood. The streets of Manhattan were alive at this hour, but not with the laughter of civilians or the hum of traffic. No, in the hidden corners of this world, two rival empires waged a silent war, and tonight, the battlefield was being painted in crimson....

...Lily didn’t belong here....

...Yet, here she was—standing in the middle of a city she had never truly called home, with shadows closing in around her....

...She clutched the hand of a small child—her daughter, Aria—who, at four years old, barely understood the danger they were in....

...“Mama,” Aria whispered, tugging at Lily’s coat, her large, innocent eyes scanning the darkness. “Are we lost?”...

...Lily knelt down, forcing a soft smile onto her lips. “No, sweetheart,” she murmured, brushing Aria’s dark curls from her face. “We’re just… taking a different way home.”...

...Lies....

...They were very, very lost....

...And worse? They had stumbled into the crossfire of two of the most dangerous mafia factions in the city....

...The Shadow Vortex Syndicate ruled from the north, a cold, calculated organization led by five blood-related brothers. They were legends in the underground world—Anderson, Leon, Venom, Adam, and Antonio—each one deadlier than the last. Their presence alone could send grown men to their knees....

...On the other side, the Iron Fang Cartel held dominance in the south, a force equally feared, if not more brutal. Their five leaders—Ethan, Jack, Gray, Olivier, and Frederick—were ruthless, merciless, and unpredictable....

...For years, their war had raged unseen, hidden behind the polished walls of luxury and power....

...And somehow, Lily had walked right into the heart of it....

...---...

...Six Hours Ago...

...The day had started like any other....

...Lily had been desperate for a job—any job that could provide for her daughter. Being a single mother wasn’t easy, and no matter how hard she tried, society never let her forget that she was alone. Employers hesitated when they learned she had a child. Men looked at her with either pity or disdain, as if her past mistakes defined her entire existence....

...But Lily had stopped caring about opinions long ago....

...All that mattered was Aria....

...So, when a prestigious company offered her an interview for a high-paying assistant position, she didn’t ask too many questions. She dressed in her best clothes, dropped Aria off at daycare, and walked into that glass building with hope in her heart....

...Hope that shattered the moment she stepped inside....

...The air was thick with tension, the kind that sent shivers down her spine. The men who sat at the grand table weren’t businessmen—they were predators, their sharp gazes assessing her like she was prey....

...And then she saw him....

...A man with silver eyes and a cruel smirk, leaning back in his chair like he owned the world....

...Anderson....

...The eldest brother of the Shadow Vortex Syndicate....

...Lily’s breath caught in her throat. She had heard rumors about him—about all of them. But those stories seemed far away, belonging to a different world....

...Yet here she was, standing right in front of them....

...Anderson’s voice was smooth, dangerous. “You’re not what I expected.”...

...Lily swallowed. “I—”...

...Before she could respond, the doors burst open....

...Men stormed in, guns drawn, and before Lily could even process what was happening, bullets tore through the room....

...The Iron Fang Cartel had arrived....

...And just like that, Lily’s life was no longer her own....

...---...

...Present...

...She should have run....

...She should have grabbed Aria and disappeared into the night....

...But instead, she hesitated....

...And in that hesitation, the monsters found her....

...A shadow loomed behind her, a deep, smooth voice breaking through the darkness....

...“Lost, sweetheart?”...

...Lily spun around—only to be met with gray, piercing eyes....

...Ethan....

...The leader of the Iron Fang Cartel....

...Her blood ran cold....

...She had heard of him before, whispered stories in hushed voices. He was calm, collected, and terrifyingly intelligent—the kind of man who didn’t just kill his enemies....

...He played with them first....

...Lily swallowed hard, shielding Aria with her body. “I—I was just leaving.”...

...Ethan chuckled, a slow, amused sound. “Were you now?” He took a step closer, his gaze flickering to Aria. “With a child? At this hour?”...

...Lily’s hands clenched into fists. “We don’t want trouble.”...

...Ethan tilted his head. “Then you shouldn’t have walked into the middle of a war.”...

...Before she could respond, another voice cut through the night....

...“Ethan.”...

...Lily’s breath caught as another figure emerged from the shadows....

...Anderson....

...The rival leader....

...His silver eyes met Ethan’s with a calm, unyielding stare. “You’re in my territory.”...

...Ethan smirked. “And?”...

...Anderson’s lips curled into something close to a smile. “And she’s mine.”...

...Lily’s heart stopped....

...“What?” she whispered....

...Anderson didn’t look at her, his gaze locked onto Ethan’s. “She belongs to us.”...

...Ethan raised an eyebrow. “That so?”...

...Leon, another one of the Shadow Vortex brothers, stepped forward. “That’s right.” His voice was dangerously smooth, his eyes burning with something undecipherable. “And if you lay a hand on her, this war won’t just be about territory anymore.”...

...Ethan laughed, shaking his head. “You always were possessive bastards.”...

...Lily’s mind raced....

...They were fighting over her?...

...This was insane....

...She didn’t belong to anyone—especially not two warring mafia factions....

...But before she could protest, Venom—one of Anderson’s younger brothers—spoke up, his voice amused....

...“Don’t worry, darling,” he murmured. “We’ll take good care of you.”...

...Lily’s skin prickled....

...She had to get out of here....

...But deep down, a terrifying truth settled into her bones....

...They weren’t going to let her go....

...Not now....

...Not ever....

...And the most terrifying part?...

...A small part of her didn’t want to leave....

...---...

...End of Prologue...

...---...

...Lily exhaled slowly, her fingers tightening around the worn-out strap of her purse as she stared at the stack of unpaid bills on her tiny kitchen table. Rent. Utilities. Preschool fees for Aria. They all demanded money she didn’t have....

...Her apartment, a cramped one-bedroom space with peeling wallpaper, felt smaller than ever. The dim yellow bulb overhead flickered as if mocking her. She had exactly twenty dollars left in her wallet, and payday wasn’t for another week....

...The only thing keeping her going was the tiny giggle that erupted from the couch....

...“Mama, why do you look so mad at the paper?”...

...Lily turned, her exhaustion melting for just a moment as she saw her four-year-old daughter, Aria, hugging her stuffed bunny. The little girl had curly dark hair, big hazel eyes, and a smile that could light up Lily’s darkest days....

...Lily forced a smile. “Because the paper is being mean to me.”...

...Aria gasped. “Paper can talk?”...

...Lily chuckled. “No, but it still gives me a headache.”...

...Aria hummed as if considering this. “Maybe it needs a nap. Like me.”...

...Lily ruffled her daughter’s curls. “That’s a great idea. If only bills disappeared when they slept.”...

...The weight of responsibility never left her shoulders, but she wouldn’t let Aria see it. Her daughter deserved a happy childhood. Not one where she worried about money....

...Lily had been doing everything to survive—cleaning jobs, waitressing, working at a gas station—but nothing paid enough. Some nights, she lay awake staring at the ceiling, wondering if she would have to move back to her hometown....

...Back to the whispers....

...She’s cursed....

...Everyone around her dies....

...She clenched her jaw. No. She had spent years escaping that past. She wouldn’t let the world decide her fate....

...She needed a real job. Something stable. Something that would give Aria a future....

...And today, she had one last chance....

...A company had responded to her application. It was a therapist position, offering an insanely high salary. The ad had been vague—just “private employer, discretion required”—but at this point, Lily couldn’t afford to be picky....

...She glanced at the clock. If she didn’t leave now, she’d be late....

...Bending down, she cupped Aria’s face. “Be good for Mrs. Patel, okay?”...

...The old woman next door had been watching Aria for free while Lily job-hunted. She didn’t know what Lily would do without her....

...Aria beamed. “I will! But can we have pancakes when you come back?”...

...Lily kissed her forehead. “If I get this job, I’ll make a whole stack.”...

...Her daughter squealed. “Then you have to get it!”...

...Lily smiled. If only it were that easy....

...She grabbed her purse and walked out, unaware that today would change her life forever....

...---...

...The Interview That Changed Everything...

...Lily stepped into the gleaming skyscraper, her nerves twisting. This was way too fancy for a therapist’s office....

...The receptionist, a woman with sharp eyes, barely glanced at her before handing her a badge. “Mr. Anderson will see you now.”...

...Lily swallowed. Anderson. The name sounded intimidating....

...As she followed the receptionist down a long hallway, she realized something was off....

...There were no company logos. No waiting clients. Just silence....

...Her gut screamed at her to turn back, but before she could second-guess herself, the door swung open....

...Inside, behind a massive mahogany desk, sat a man with cold blue eyes and an aura that made the air feel heavier....

...Lily knew two things immediately:...

...1. This was no ordinary boss....

...2. She was in way over her head....

...Anderson leaned back in his chair, studying her. “Lily Monroe.”...

...She forced a polite nod. “Yes, sir.”...

...He glanced at her resume. “You have a degree in psychology. Years of therapy experience. And yet, you’ve been working minimum-wage jobs.”...

...Her stomach twisted. “Life… hasn’t been kind.”...

...His expression didn’t change. “Do you scare easily, Miss Monroe?”...

...Lily blinked. “Excuse me?”...

...Anderson set down the resume. “This job isn’t normal. The clients you’ll be working with… are not ordinary people. They are powerful men with dangerous lives. If you accept, there is no quitting.”...

...Her heartbeat pounded. “What kind of… company is this?”...

...Anderson smirked. “One that values discretion above all else.”...

...Everything inside her screamed run. But then she thought of Aria. The bills. The empty fridge....

...What choice did she have?...

...She lifted her chin. “I don’t scare easily.”...

...Anderson watched her for a long moment. Then, he slid a contract toward her....

...“Sign, and you’re hired.”...

...Lily picked up the pen, her hand barely shaking....

...She had no idea she had just walked into the heart of the mafia....

...---...

...The First Red Flag...

...Lily’s first day was… odd....

...She had expected an office full of employees, but the building was nearly empty. She was shown to a sleek office—floor-to-ceiling windows, expensive furniture, a security keypad on the door....

...Her first patient arrived an hour later....

...A tall man with sharp features and a gaze that could freeze fire. He wore a tailored suit, but something about him screamed danger....

...He sat down, crossed one leg over the other, and smirked....

...“So, you’re the new therapist.”...

...Lily swallowed. “And you are?”...

...“Leon.”...

...He tilted his head, as if studying prey. “Tell me, Miss Monroe… what would you diagnose someone who enjoys killing?”...

...Her breath caught....

...Something was very, very wrong here....

...But it was too late to back out now....

...---...

...Lily adjusted the collar of her blouse, taking a deep breath as she stood before the grand office building. She had been to dozens of interviews in the past month, and every rejection chipped away at her resolve. Being a single mother made everything harder—employers saw her as a liability rather than an asset....

...Her four-year-old daughter, Aria, was her entire world. Every night, Lily lay awake, wondering if she was doing enough for her. Bills were piling up, and her savings were dangerously low. She had no choice but to take whatever opportunity came her way....

...And that’s why she was here today....

...The company she had applied to, Blackwood Enterprises, was known for its secrecy. It was a high-profile private organization, and they were looking for a therapist for their employees. The job description was vague, but the salary was too good to ignore....

...Taking a deep breath, Lily stepped inside....

...---...

...The receptionist led her to a large, intimidating office on the top floor. The walls were lined with expensive artwork, and a massive oak desk sat at the far end. Seated behind it was a man who radiated authority....

...Anderson Blackwood....

...Lily immediately recognized him from the research she had done. The eldest of the Blackwood brothers, known for his sharp intellect and cold demeanor. His piercing gray eyes studied her as she approached....

...Seated beside him were his brothers:...

...Leon Blackwood, the charming strategist, leaning back in his chair with a smirk....

...Venom Blackwood, the unpredictable one, tapping his fingers against the desk impatiently....

...Adam Blackwood, the silent observer, watching her with unreadable eyes....

...Antonio Blackwood, the youngest, arms crossed, looking unimpressed....

...Lily swallowed hard. Five powerful men in one room, all looking at her like they were deciding her fate....

...“Lily Parker,” Anderson said, his voice deep and controlled. “You’re here for the therapist position.”...

...She nodded, forcing herself to maintain eye contact. “Yes, sir.”...

...Leon chuckled. “No need for formalities, sweetheart. We don’t bite.”...

...Venom smirked. “Not unless we have to.”...

...Lily’s stomach tightened, but she kept her expression neutral....

...Anderson gestured to a chair. “Sit.”...

...She did as she was told, clasping her hands in her lap....

...“Tell us about yourself.” Anderson’s tone was devoid of emotion....

...Lily took a deep breath. “I have a degree in psychology and five years of experience in counseling. I specialize in trauma therapy and conflict resolution.”...

...Adam spoke for the first time. “You’ve worked with troubled clients before?”...

...Lily nodded. “Yes. I believe in helping people understand their pain rather than running from it.”...

...Antonio scoffed. “Sounds idealistic.”...

...Lily turned to him. “People carry their wounds differently. Some hide them, some lash out, but in the end, everyone wants to be understood.”...

...For a brief moment, silence filled the room....

...Then, Leon chuckled. “I like her. She’s got guts.”...

...Anderson didn’t look convinced. “This job isn’t easy. Our employees deal with… high-pressure situations.”...

...Lily frowned. “I can handle difficult cases.”...

...Venom leaned forward, smirking. “Are you sure about that, sweetheart?”...

...Something about his tone sent a shiver down her spine....

...Anderson folded his hands together. “There’s one thing you should know before we hire you.”...

...Lily’s pulse quickened. “What is it?”...

...He studied her for a long moment before speaking. “Once you step into this world, there’s no turning back.”...

...---...

...Meanwhile – The Rival Gang...

...Across the city, in a dimly lit private club, Ethan Carter sat at the head of a table, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand. His brothers were gathered around him, their expressions dark....

...Jack Carter, the brutal enforcer, sharpening his knife....

...Gray Carter, the ghost, watching the world with quiet intensity....

...Olivier Carter, the seducer, smiling like he knew a secret....

...Frederick Carter, the most merciless of them all....

...Ethan sighed. “The Blackwood brothers hired a therapist.”...

...Jack snorted. “What, they finally realized they’re all fucked in the head?”...

...Olivier smirked. “Or maybe they’re planning something new.”...

...Gray’s voice was quiet but firm. “We need to keep an eye on her.”...

...Frederick grinned. “Let’s find out what she’s really worth.”...

...As the Carter brothers raised their glasses, an unspoken agreement settled between them....

...They would cross paths with Lily Parker soon enough....

...And when they did, they wouldn’t let her go....

...---...

...Back at Blackwood Enterprises...

...Lily left the office, her heart pounding. The moment Anderson had said, "There’s no turning back," she had felt something shift....

...She didn’t fully understand what she was stepping into, but one thing was clear—this was no ordinary job....

...And she had no idea that two powerful mafia families had already set their sights on her....

...---...

...End of Chapter 2....