The ruins stood silent under the moonlight, crumbling walls casting jagged shadows across the scorched earth. Dante Moretti picked his way through the debris, his jaw tight, his dark eyes scanning what remained of his childhood home.Ten years. Ten years since the flames had devoured everything.He crouched beside a half-collapsed doorway, running his fingers along the blackened stone. His parents' laughter had once echoed through these halls. His sister's voice had sung from the garden. Now there was nothing but ash and ghosts."They're gone," he muttered, his voice rough. "But I'll find who did this."He'd been away training that night—a stroke of luck that had saved his life and haunted him ever since. Master Armani, the legendary retired God of War, had taken him in, honed him into something sharp and deadly. Now, finally, he'd descended from the mountains, ready to tear apart whoever had destroyed his family.A woman's scream shattered the stillness.Dante's head snapped up. The

The taxi weaved through morning traffic, finally pulling up before a gleaming skyscraper that seemed to pierce the clouds. Glass and steel reflected the sun like a monument to wealth and power. At the top, bold letters spelled out: ARMANI ALLIED GROUP.Dante stepped out, paying the fare.The driver had been watching him through the rearview mirror for the entire ride—this young man in his plain clothes and worn shoes, heading to the most prestigious company in the city."You work there, kid?" the driver asked, unable to contain his curiosity.Dante glanced back at him. "No. I'm not going there to work.""Then what? Job interview?""I'm just taking a look around," Dante said casually. "The CEO there works for me, so I figured I'd see how things are running."The driver's expression froze. Then he snorted loudly, shaking his head."Sure, kid. Sure." He muttered under his breath as he drove away, "Pazzo. Completely delusional."Dante stood before the building, gazing up at its towering h

The Santoro estate rose behind wrought-iron gates like a monument to old money and older pride. Manicured gardens, marble fountains, a villa that belonged in Renaissance paintings rather than modern Italy.Dante stood outside those gates, hands shoved deep in his pockets, while Lorenzo hovered anxiously beside the car."Young Master, please reconsider. Let me come with you," Lorenzo pleaded. "The Santoro family is expecting Master Armani's disciple. You need someone to—""No." Dante cut him off. "I'm here to break off an engagement, not propose marriage. The fewer witnesses to this disaster, the better.""But Young Master, the Santoro daughters are what half the men in this city dream of! Beautiful, accomplished, from excellent bloodlines—""Lorenzo.""And Master Armani always said you should settle down before building your career! At least have someone to take care of your daily life, manage your household—""Lorenzo."The older man sighed, defeated. "As you wish, Young Master. I'll

The civil registry office was sterile and efficient—fluorescent lights, plastic chairs, bored clerks processing paperwork with mechanical precision.Dante and Giulia sat side by side in silence. Not the comfortable kind. The kind that felt like sitting next to a live explosive."Next!" the clerk called.They approached the counter together, maintaining a careful two feet of distance between them."Names?""Dante Moretti.""Giulia Santoro."The clerk typed, clicked, stamped. "Sign here. And here. Initial here."Giulia's pen pressed so hard against the paper it nearly tore through. Dante signed quickly, efficiently, like he was signing a death warrant."Congratulations," the clerk said flatly, sliding two red booklets across the counter. "You're married."They walked out into the afternoon sun, each clutching their marriage certificate like a prison sentence.Giulia stared straight ahead, her expression carved from ice. "This changes nothing.""Agreed.""We'll live separately. You'll st

"Oh God—those are the Serpenti!"A young man near the bar clutched his friend's arm, his face white as death. "The Serpent Syndicate—the biggest criminal organization in the country! They're professional killers!"Panic rippled through the crowd like a contagion.Several people edged toward the side exits, hoping to slip away unnoticed."Where do you think you're going?"Matteo Romano stepped in front of them, blocking their path. His face was still flushed from his earlier humiliation, but now—now he saw an opportunity.A chance to be the hero. To prove himself.He turned to face the gunmen, puffing out his thin chest. "Do you have any idea who I am? I'm Matteo Romano—heir to the Romano family! My father has connections that would make your pathetic little organization disappear overnight!"The crowd held its breath."So here's what's going to happen," Matteo continued, his voice rising with false confidence. "You're going to turn around, walk out that door, and pretend this never ha