Lucius tightened his grip on the man’s collar, his scowl deepening. "What do you want from ?" he demanded. "I don’t have ti for your gas. Na your price, and I’ll pay it."
The man smirked, unfazed by Lucius’s temper. "Easy there, Lucius," he said and introduced himself, "I am Fabio Vittorio. I’ve co to collect an old debt. You might not know , but I know you very well."
Lucius’s brows knitted together as confusion clouded his gaze. The na rang faint bells in his mind, sparking a mory. Matteo ntioned that na before... An old rivalry, rooted in vengeance, between Matteo’s family and Fabio’s.
Fabio seized the opportunity, prying Lucius’s hands off his collar and pushing him back with a little force.
"I’ve never taken anything from you," Lucius countered. His mind raced to piece together Fabio’s motives.
Fabio’s eyes shifted toward Demitri, who was sprawled on the floor, struggling to rise. A cold smile played on Fabio’s lips. "Did Demitri never tell you about his past? How he worked for Matteo? How he helped Matteo use my father to gain access to Tsar?"
Lucius’s head snapped toward Demitri with shock and disbelief. "What?" he exclaid, his voice rising in anger. The flicker of betrayal in his eyes was hard to not notice.
Demitri gritted his teeth as he clutched his stomach. Summoning his strength, he pushed himself up.
Fabio’s gaze returned to Lucius, his tone growing colder. "It seems you’re in the dark about a lot of things. No matter—let’s settle this debt now. I don’t have the luxury of ti to waste on you."
He gestured toward his companion, a towering man with a scar running down the side of his charred face.
"Lucius," Demitri rasped, "He’s the one who attacked Layla."
The words hit Lucius like a hard blow to him. His eyes darkened with rage, and his fists clenched tightly. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, ready to strike Fabio down.
But before he could act, a dozen guns were suddenly aid at him and Demitri.
"Don’t even think about it," Fabio said with nace. "These n don’t miss their mark. One wrong move, and you’ll regret it. So, behave yourself."
Lucius’s jaw tightened as his simring fury threatened to boil over.
For Layla’s sake, Lucius forced himself to swallow the rage clawing at his chest. His priority was to leave unhard with Demitri and handle this matter later.
The charred man returned and he handed a black folder to Fabio. Fabio took it with a slight nod and extended it toward Lucius.
Lucius’s sharp gaze flickered to the folder before reluctantly taking it. "What’s this?" he asked, his tone curt, masking his unease.
"See for yourself," Fabio replied nonchalantly, folding his arms as he waited.
Lucius opened the folder, his eyes scanning the contents. Inside was a docunt detailing ownership of several lands and estates. His brows furrowed as he flipped through the pages.
"These properties," Fabio began, "once belonged to my family. Matteo stole them through deceit and manipulation. Now, I want them back."
Lucius closed the folder with a sharp snap. "And if I refuse?"
Fabio smirked darkly, taking a calculated step closer. "If you refuse," he said, his tone dripping with malice, "you’ll pay the price. Either return what is rightfully mine or pay the amount stated in that docunt. If you fail to act in the next minute, your dear, timid friend, Demitri, will pay with his life."
Lucius’s gaze darted to Demitri, who shook his head, gesturing to Lucius not to pay for it. Rage bubbled beneath Lucius’s calm exterior, but he knew he had only monts to decide. Fabio’s n stood ready, their guns trained and unwavering.
"Tick-tock," Fabio taunted, tapping an imaginary watch on his wrist.
"Matteo never used manipulation on anyone," Lucius said firmly.
Fabio chuckled coldly. "Well, you’ve got fifty seconds left," he said, his smirk widening as he glanced at his wrist watch.
Lucius’s eyes dropped to the docunt again, quickly scanning the amount. It wasn’t an high figure for him—not enough to jeopardize his assets. Making his decision, he looked up at Fabio.
"I’ll pay," Lucius said. "Provide with the account details."
The room seed to still for a mont before Lucius added, "And I’ll give you an extra billion—on one condition. Tell why Matteo used your father to get to Tsar."
"Lucius, you don’t have to—" Demitri began, but Lucius cut him off with a sharp bark.
"Stay quiet, Demitri!" Lucius’s eyes blazed as he silenced his friend.
Fabio’s smirk didn’t falter. "Because my father had t Tsar," he replied, leaning slightly forward. "But if you want to know why Matteo needed Tsar or how my father was connected to a Russian Mafia, I can’t help you. My father’s been dead for years, so whatever secrets he took to the grave are beyond my reach."
"I want cash, not a transfer. Go fetch it. I’ll give you thirty minutes, Lucius," he proclaid with a smirk.
"If you raise another hand on Demitri before I return," Lucius growled, "I swear, I’ll burn you alive."
Fabio raised a brow. "I won’t, as long as he cooperates," he replied casually, his gaze flickering toward Demitri. Then, with a nod to his aide, he added, "Also, Apollo will accompany you."
Lucius’s eyes darted to the scarred man. He didn’t protest, though; he simply turned and left, with Apollo trailing close behind. As he drove, his mind raced, already formulating a plan to deal with Fabio as he tried to harm Layla.
The drive back to Fabio’s place was swift, and Lucius wasted no ti entering the house, grasping the heavy leather bag. Fabio was lounging in the living hall, a smug grin plastered across his face as if he’d already won.
"I’ve brought the amount you demanded," Lucius announced. "Now, order your n to disarm and send Demitri here. I want him by my side before this transaction is complete."
Fabio studied Lucius for a mont before motioning lazily to his n. "Demitri, go to your friend," he said, and with a wave of his hand, he ordered his n to lower their weapons.
As Demitri stumbled back to Lucius. Without another word, Lucius handed the leather bag to Apollo.
Apollo nodded toward Fabio. "There was no mistakes in the count, boss. It’s all here."
Fabio’s smirk widened as he leaned back in his seat. "A pleasure doing business with you, Lucius," he said mockingly, "hope we will again have this kind of business. You are free to leave with Demitri."
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