I walked through the city's underworld, my eyes scanning the crowded streets with a mix of caution and desperation. The neon lights of the bars and clubs cast gaudy colors on the wet pavement, reflecting the chaos of the night. People moved with purpose, some chasing dreams and others fleeing nightmares.

I knew this world. I grew up on its edges, learning to navigate through the dangers of the city and exploit the opportunities. My life was a balancing act between survival and slipping into the darkness that seemed to swallow people whole.

I stopped at a dingy café and walked in. Inside, the air was thick with smoke and filled with the smell of coffee. I sat in the back, watching the patrons. Some were players in the city's game of power and the others were just pawns waiting to be used.

I wasn't sure which one was I. I had lost my job a month ago and work was scarce. The city's underworld was unforgiving, but it was also where connections were made and deals were struck. I needed a break, needed something so mind blowing that my life turns around.

As I sipped my coffee, a man slipped in the chair that was across me. He was rough looking and had a cold glare.

"you Emilia?"

"yea"

"message from Vinnie. He wants to see you about a job."

My heart quickened. Vinnie was a name whispered in the underworld, he was a dealer of all sorts. He had connections with those in high power. A job from Vinnie wasn't a simple thing, it came with risks and obligations.

"I'll think about it."

"Vinnie doesn't like people who say no. And you know what will happen of you say no."

I nodded, a chill running down my spine. I finished my coffee and left the café and stepped into the city's chaos. The night air was thick with tension. I walked, thinking about Vinnie and his job offer. I knew little about what Vinnie does, but I do know he's a dangerous man.

I turned the corner and shadows moved around me. I quickened my pace, sensing danger. For a moment I stopped walking and looked back. The streets were now empty and the cast of the lights making it an eerie feeling. I let out a breath, survival in the city means being alert, obeying the rules and making the right move. If people don't obey the rules then the crime lord Viktor Carlo Russo will kill them. He was ruthless, cold hearted and he didn't care.

The night wore on and I walked back to my apartment, my thoughts filled with Vinnie and the underworld. I knew I couldn't avoid the meeting with Vinnie and his message wasn't a suggestion. I'll see Vinnie not tomorrow but the next day, and then I don't know, but I really need this. In this city it's either you survive, get killed or kill someone else to survive.

I sat in my dimly lit office, the window overlooking the city's night life. I sipped my glass of whiskey, the liquor's warmth matching with my coldness in mind. I was a force in the city, I was feared, respected and obeyed.

As I worked through the reports on my operation, a knock interrupted me. Sergei, my most trusted men entered my office.

"sir there's a girl named Emilia. Vinnie has offered her a job. He sent one of his men at the café to talk to her about it."

My interest sparked. Vinnie was a minor player, I've tried many times to capture him, have him killed but he always escapes and it's getting in my fucking nerves.

"tell me more."

"there's not much to tell, She's trying to survive, she knows the edges of the deep end and she might he worth watching."

"I want you to get more information on Emilia."

He nodded and then left my office. I leaned against my chair and my thoughts going to Emilia. I don't even know her as yet and now my mind is filled with her. A girl in Vinnie's orbit wasn't significant on its own, but Sergei was right, Emilia might be worth watching.

The next night I went to a club that my friend Aiden owned and I sat in the VIP area. I watched the dancers, the people drinking and some dealing drugs in the corner and then my eyes landed on her.

Emilia was at the bar, sipping on her drink and her eyes scanning around to see if there was any danger. She was wearing a shirt and jeans, not a outfit for clubs. The lights caught her blonde hair, her features and it made her green eyes sparkle.

I got up from the VIP area and walked towards the bar. Emilia didn't notice me at first but when I got closer then she looked at me. Our eyes locked on each other and I saw a flicker of weariness.

"Emilia."

"you know my name."

"of course, I know everyone in my city, especially those that work for Vinnie."

Her eyes flashed with a mix of fear and defiance. I felt a spark of interest turn into something more. I didn't persue women, they came to me, but now I went to Emilia. Me, Viktor fucking Carlo Russo went to a women.

"be careful when you look round Amorina. This place isn't for an innocent girl like you."

"I can handle myself."

"you're drunk Amorina. Anyone could easily take you away, torture you and maybe even kill you. So why don't you go back home and cut off the deals you made with Vinnie cause you don't know what you're getting yourself into."

I then walked away from the bar, leaving Emilia with a lingering glance. I knew idea see her again. Soon I returned back to my office, my thoughts filled with her. What mattered now was protecting her from the shadows.

I walked into Vinnie's cramped office, the air thick with the smell of stale cigarettes. I tried forgetting everything that happened yesterday at the bar with Viktor. Vinnie was behind the desk. He had slicked black hair and eyes that seemed to weigh everything.

"Emilia, glad you could make it. I was starting to think you wouldn't show up."

"what if I didn't show up?"

"the there would of been consequences."

"what do you need me to do?"

Vinnie leaned back in his chair, a calculating look on his face.

"I need you to handle delicate things."

"what kind of delicate things?"

"deliveries, messages and I need you to work with my people."

I knew what he meant by delicate things. He was a drug dealer so selling drugs is what makes him insane and annoying.

"why me?"

"you lost your job a month ago and you need some income and I need someone reliable. We can help each other Emilia."

I thought about the money, of surviving. Vinnie's work wasn't clean but it paid. I thought of my brother Tyler.

"deal."

Vinnie nodded like he'd expected that.

"you'll start tomorrow. My man, Oliver will tell you what to do and you will follow all his rules."

I left Vinnie's office with a mix of resolve and unease. I knew the risks and I still took the offer, I didn't want to take it but I needed the money for Tyler and I.

The next day, Oliver showed me what to do. Deliveries to shady bars, messages to men with hard eyes, I did what I was told, moving through Vinnie's business like a ghost.

But shadows watched me. I felt eyes sometimes, like someone was tracking me, watching my every move. I glanced around the streets more often, a growing sense of being followed.

That same night I walked home through the dim alley and I froze when I saw him. Viktor leaned against the wall, watching men. His eyes were like they'd been in the club, cold, interested. My heart was pounding.He walked closer to me.

"taking the offer wasn't a smart idea, Amorina."

"I needed the job."

"you know when you enter Vinnie's world, there's no backing out. You knew when he's done with you, he'll kill you."

I didn't answer. Viktor was right, but it was my choice to take the risk. Viktor placed his veiny hand on my cheek, his touch was soft and gentle.

"Vinnie can't protect you like I can. Leave him and let me help you. I can take you and your brother in, you don't have to worry about income."

"how can I trust you? Viktor, I don't k iw anything about you."

"But I know everything about you, Amorina. Give me chance."

"you know what will happen if I quit from Vinnie's business."

"he won't touch you as long as you're with me. You'll be in a mansion that has alot of guards in every corner, doors with keypads that you need a password to enter."

Viktor then walked away. His words hung in the air as he vanished into the shadows. A chill ran down my spine. Did he really mean what he said?