Jace's heart pounded relentlessly, each beat echoing through his chest like a warning drum. Fear lingered beneath the surface, gnawing at his resolve, but he forced himself to sit still in the cold, empty room. There was no turning back now. He had made a choice—a dangerous path that led straight into the heart of the mafia. His ambition and need for answers outweighed the fear twisting in his gut. He needed to know who had killed his mother, no matter the cost.
Meanwhile, Josh strode down the dimly lit corridor with steady purpose. Reaching a heavy, reinforced door, he knocked sharply. The door swung open, revealing a massive figure who silently stepped aside. Josh entered the spacious room without hesitation.
At the far end of the room sat the mafia boss, a woman who ruled with icy authority. She was perched on a large throne-like chair, surrounded by shadowed corners where armed men stood guard, their eyes sharp and alert. The atmosphere was thick with tension and danger.
"Boss, ma'am, he's here," Josh said respectfully.
The mafia boss's cold gaze shifted toward him. "Bring him in," she ordered with sharp finality.
Josh hesitated, glancing back the way he came. "Ma'am, I thought you were going to meet him in the other room. I told him to wait."
The boss's voice was cutting. "Then go get him now."
Josh's jaw tightened. "Do you expect me to stand and meet a lowly peasant? Someone without value? You want me to waste my time?"
Her lips curled in a cruel smile. "Respect is mandatory. If you cannot show it, you have no place here."
Without looking up, Josh bowed his head. "Sorry, ma'am. I won't say it again."
He turned and left the room, his heart hammering as relief flooded through him. Thank God I didn't bring Jace to meet her, he thought, making his way back.
Josh opened the door to the waiting room. Jace was still seated, hands clenched tightly, face pale but composed.
"Jace," Josh said quietly, "stand up. She's not coming out to meet you. You won't get that."
Jace's stomach dropped. The reality hit him like a cold wave.
Josh's voice dropped even lower, almost a whisper. "Listen carefully. Now that I've told her you're here, there's no turning back. If either of us tries to run, we'll both be dead. No second chances. I'm high-ranking, but even I can't look her in the eyes. You won't either."
Jace swallowed hard and nodded. "I understand. I won't look at her."
Josh's gaze hardened. "Good. Now, show me the money."
Jace reached into the bag and pulled out the stacks of bills, the scent of fresh cash filling the room.
Josh's hands shook slightly as he counted. "It has to be all here. No less than six hundred thousand. If it's short, there's no coming back."
The tension in the room thickened as the mafia boss's anger seemed to seep into the walls themselves. Today, she was not in a good mood. Jace's nerves tightened, knowing that any misstep could mean death.
Time slowed as they both waited, trapped in the weight of the moment.
"Bring the money out—now. Take it out of the bag, fast. I want to count it myself. I need to make sure not a single dollar is missing," Josh's voice was sharp, slicing through the heavy silence.
Jace shifted nervously. "I already counted it, bro. I counted it myself. Let's just get this over with quickly. I want to join fast. I'm ready."
Josh's glare hardened. "Don't be stupid. I'm telling you, bring it out now. You don't understand what you're risking by joining the mafia. I was keeping my cool before, but she's angry—really angry today. I don't know what she might do."
Jace swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Josh's words.
"In the past," Josh said, his voice dropping low and serious, "I've heard from other members—the veterans who've been in this game for decades. They say she's the most ruthless boss they've ever seen. Thirty-seven years of stories, and she's the coldest one. She doesn't care about life or men. Not at all. You understand what I mean?"
Jace nodded slowly. "Okay, bro. No need to get so worked up. I'll do as you say."
Without another word, Jace unzipped the bag and began pulling out bundles of cash. Thick stacks dropped heavily onto the floor, the sound echoing sharply in the quiet room.
Josh crouched immediately, eyes sharp and focused as he began counting each bill one by one. Jace joined him, bending down with the same careful attention. The room was silent except for the soft rustle of notes and their murmured confirmations.
Minutes stretched on. Six long minutes of counting, recounting, and double-checking. Neither man wanted to miss a single bill.
Finally, Josh leaned back, exhaling slowly. "It's all here. Nothing missing."
Jace nodded, relief flooding his face as they hurriedly packed the cash back into the bag. Jace lifted the heavy load, clutching it tightly to his side.
"I think we're good to go," Jace said, standing upright.
Josh nodded. "Yes. We're good."
Following Josh's lead, they stepped out into a long, dimly lit hallway. The corridor stretched ahead, silent except for their footsteps.
Eventually, they reached a solid wooden door. Josh stopped and turned to Jace. "Wait here. I'll go in first."
Jace nodded, tension coiling in his chest.
Josh knocked firmly. The door creaked open, and a guard appeared, standing tall in the shadows. Beyond him, the mafia boss waited.
"Should I bring him in?" Josh asked.
The guard's eyes scanned Josh sharply. "Did they bring the money?"
Josh answered firmly, "Yes. They brought it."
The guard nodded and stepped back. "Go outside. Tell him to call me."
Josh closed the door and stepped outside, face tight with tension.
Jace waited, the silence stretching thick and heavy.
Then the door opened again. Josh re-entered, eyes narrowing. "You took your time. I told you to call me right away. Why did you wait?"
The mafia boss's voice cut cold and sharp through the room.
Ma'am, I didn't mean to take long," Josh said quickly, trying to keep his voice steady.
"But you did," the Mafia boss replied coldly. "And don't make me angry. I'm not angry yet, but don't push me."
"Okay, ma'am," Josh nodded, lowering himself onto a chair, trying to keep calm.
"Go get him in," the boss commanded without looking away from her throne-like seat.
"Yes, ma'am," Josh said and turned swiftly toward the door.
He opened it and called out, "Jace, come in."
Jace hesitated for a moment, then stepped inside slowly. His heart pounded in his chest—fear gripping every step. The moment he crossed the threshold, two huge bodyguards flanked him, their eyes cold and unreadable.
Ahead, on an elevated throne-like chair sat the Mafia boss. Her presence filled the room with icy authority.
The Mafia boss's eyes locked on Jace, shock flickering across her face. Jace froze, equally stunned by her.
Then Jace blurted out, "Huh? Huh? Eh? Eh? Eh? Are you not Serena? The woman who's trying to marry my dad?"
The room fell silent.
Serena's eyes widened in disbelief. She hadn't expected to see Jace here—not like this, not now.
Jace was just as shocked to see her.
The air grew heavier with unspoken tension.