only 10-15 chapters more for this book to end. 🥺🥺

Third person POV:(In Russia)

Amid the shadowy ambience of Ivan Pavlov's remote Russian hideout, a tense exchange unfolded. Ivan one of the heads of the criminal empires, held a meeting with his loyal men, who whispered their concerns with hushed breaths.

"Nervous whispers about the boy's role in the plan filled the room. Ivan bore down on his underlings, his voice a low, ominous growl. 'Wise? Perhaps not. But it's necessary. Our enemies underestimate us; they believe us to be weak,' he stated, his eyes glinting with sinister intent.

Unease continued to ripple through the assembly. 'But sir, isn't using the boy a breach of the old codes?' one man questioned with a furrowed brow.

"You speak of ancient codes, traditions handed down through generations," Ivan mused, his voice low and laced with an eerie calmness. "But you see, times have changed. Our enemies believe us to be bound by these archaic rules, and they've grown bold."

The men exchanged uneasy glances as Ivan's words hung in the air. They were all too aware of the shifting tides, the treacherous currents of a world where power was the only currency that mattered.

"But, sir," another man pressed, his brow furrowed with doubt, "won't our brethren view this as a betrayal? A breach of trust?"

Ivan's lips curled into a sinister smile. He had anticipated their concerns, and he was prepared to shatter the old paradigms. "Betrayal, perhaps," he conceded, his voice oozing with malevolence. "But sometimes, to emerge victorious in a war, one must forsake tradition. The old codes won't win this battle; they are the chains that shackle us."Curiosity mingled with fear as they pressed for details.

'What's the plan, then don?' another man ventured cautiously.

Leaning in closer, Ivan revealed his dark intentions. 'We'll deliver a message they can't ignore. Edward, the youngest of their family, will be our bait,' he announced, his voice dripping with intrigue.

As the implications of Ivan's plan sank in, the men couldn't help but shudder. 'And what message is that boss?' one asked hesitantly.

Ivan's lips curled into a wicked smile. 'That we're willing to break their sacred rules. That we'll stop at nothing to destroy them. And that even the innocent are not safe,' he declared coldly.

Fear gripped the men as the weight of their leader's intentions settled upon them. 'But sir, they won't take this lightly,' one of them stammered.

Ivan's response was chillingly composed. 'Let them come. We'll be ready. We'll unleash chaos upon their world, and they won't see it coming,' he declared, his voice resonating with deadly resolve."

"Boss, about the boy... Is it really necessary to involve him in this?" a hesitating man questioned

Ivan replied His voice icy"Necessary? No, but it's a stroke of genius. The Cosa Nostra will never see it coming."

"But, sir, the boy... he's just a child."

Ivan leaned forward, his gaze piercing through the dimly lit room. "And that is precisely why he is the key to their downfall."

"What should we do then?" a man asked in fear

"Get the men ready. Time for Edward's stay in America to take a surprising turn. Ivan scowled before shooting the woman on the floor and watching her blood spatter.

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Isabella's POV:

I was too engrossed in playing with Edward, to notice that Victor had entered the room. When Edward spotted Victor and ran to him, I looked up, surprised.

"When did you come?" I asked.

Victor offered a soft smile. "I've been here for a little while, watching you both."

I gave him my full attention, sensing the weight of his words. "What is it, Victor?"

His eyes were troubled as he said, "I... I didn't know about what happened to you when our mother ran away with you. I didn't know about the abuse you suffered. And for that, I'm sorry."

I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Victor, you don't need to apologize for something you had no control over. What matters is that we're together now, and we have each other."

Victor nodded, gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thank you, Isabella."

Sensing the change in our conversation, Edward wriggled from Victor's arms, ran to the door, and pointed outside. He had spotted a toy he'd dropped in the garden. He was too innocent for his own good.

Victor and I exchanged a knowing glance before following Edward.

Edward was determined, his small face scrunched up in concentration as he retrieved his toy. Victor bent down to his level, ruffling his hair, and asked, "Edward, did you know your Isabella is the best at hide and seek?"

The innocence of Edward's face was heartwarming as he replied, "Really, Vic? Can she teach me?" how could I refuse

"Of course, she can," Victor assured Edward. "She's the best sister in the world, isn't that right, Isabella?"

I nodded, my voice filled with emotion, "Yes, Edward. I'll teach you everything I know, and we'll play lots of games together." I promised, despite knowing that I could never.

"let's play" he cheered in happiness.

Victor and I started playing hide and seek with Edward in the garden. this was childish. I couldn't remember the last time I played hide and seek. probably years ago. As I tried to find Edward who was hiding a series of screams cut through my joy, and my smile turned to fear.

"Edward!" I yelled, searching for my brother.

Gunshots rang out, and my heart raced with dread. I spotted Edward crouched behind a bush, his eyes wide with fear.

Victor grabbed my arm, his expression tense. "Stay down, Isabella. We need to protect Edward. we both don't have weapons. don't be reckless."

We sprinted in the direction of the screaming without pausing. The mansion's main entryway was a mess. Edward's yells roused everyone, and they all sprinted down the stairway. Everyone was overcome with fear and bewilderment. Alarms went off across the estate.

Our terror increased as a result of Edward's frantic calls for assistance. The front door smashed open in the middle of the commotion, allowing a gang of armed guys to rush inside. The strong scent of gunpowder persisted in the confusion. Glass was broken and sparks flew as bullets sped through the room. Tables and chairs were knocked over as guards dove for shelter. What in God's name was going on here?

"enough" This voice, whose is it? I heard it somewhere.

suddenly salvestro came from the back door with his gun pointed at an assassin who appeared to be the leader of the attackers. oh well, we didn't have to bother now, did we?

"guns down" Dante ordered smirking. was this that funny now? we still need to find our brother.

"I don't think so", said the masked man, who had Edward at gunpoint.

"What do you want?" Victor asked, trying to persuade the man. It seemed as though he did not want to risk anything since Edwards's life was on the line.

"I don't want anything. I was ordered to take the boy and I will take him whatever the cost, whatever the result."

"As long as you let my brother go, nobody will die. Today you all can walk out safely" Leo promised calmly.

"You expect us to believe that?"

"You have my word," promised Dante. "Just get lost"

"No way in hell I am leaving without your dear brother. Now if you value his life, order your man to step back."

"Don't even think about it." Grandpa was unbelievably furious.

Victor continued, his voice unwavering, "If you release Edward and leave peacefully, we can ensure your safety. We don't want this to escalate any further, but we'll do whatever it takes to protect our family."

The leader's response was a harsh laugh that reverberated through the tension-filled space. His voice, dripping with disdain, cut through the silence, "You're in no position to make demands. I have the child, and I have the upper hand."

Gio, his voice edged with a mixture of anger and fear, added, "You have no idea who you're dealing with. The consequences of harming our family will be dire."

Maximo chose a different approach. "Listen to reason. This doesn't have to end in violence. Let the boy go, and we'll ensure you leave here unharmed."

Romeo, usually the quiet one, stared at the leader, a fire burning in his eyes. "You're outnumbered. Don't let this situation escalate. We don't want to see anyone hurt."

"He's just a child. Please, we can work something out."I requested

The attackers exchanged furtive glances, their grip on Edward tightening. One of them, a burly man with a scarred face, spoke in a gruff voice, "We're not here to negotiate. The kid's coming with us."

In a sudden and alarming move, the attackers hurled a small canister to the ground. The canister shattered upon impact, releasing a thick cloud of noxious gas. Coughs and gasps filled the air as everyone, one by one, succumbed to the effects of the gas. My body felt like lead and the surroundings were hazy. I fought to maintain my balance, but my limbs failed me, and I fell to the ground with the rest.

I could make out Edward's horrified face and his wide-open fearful eyes through the blur. The assailants proceeded carefully, quickly capturing Edward, and then they fled in the direction of the entrance, appearing untouched by the gas. Victor made an effort to fight back, but his sluggish motions were ineffective against the gas's overwhelming effects.

As I struggled for breath, I clung to awareness as my vision began to swirl. Everything was hazy and far away, as though I were underwater. Edward's agonized scream which echoed in my ears, was the last sound I heard before going to sleep. Darkness enveloped me at that point, and I lost all consciousness.

Little did you know, this one attack would soon serve as an eerie foreshadowing of the chaos and turmoil that would soon envelop my world.

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