Chapter 1 - the dragon necklace
The glowing crystal chandeliers of La Luce, an elite fine-dining restaurant nestled in the heart of downtown Chicago, cast warm amber light across linen-draped tables. Laughter, softly clinking wine glasses, and gentle violin melodies filled the opulent room. Behind the mahogany serving counter stood twenty-eight-year-old Alina Valdez, a hardworking waitress with dark brown hair tied into a loose bun. She wore a pale-blue restaurant blouse, a dark apron, and simple black shoes. A subtle silver chain rested against her collarbone, tucked safely beneath her blouse.
Suddenly, the warm atmosphere shifted into ice-cold tension.
Two broad-shouldered Rosselli bodyguards in tailored black suits and discreet earpieces pushed open the tall glass entrance doors. They moved with military precision, scanning every exit, table, and corner of the crowded room. Behind them walked forty-nine-year-old Dante Rosselli—a legendary and immensely powerful Mafia boss. Tall, muscular, ruggedly handsome, and deeply masculine, Dante possessed a frighteningly calm aura. Thick dark hair with subtle silver at his temples framed his sculpted face, marked by light stubble and a thin scar along his jawline. Rising from beneath the left collar of his luxurious burgundy suit was the dark tail of a distinctive dragon tattoo.
In his broad, tattooed arms, Dante carried nine-month-old Leo Rosselli. The infant was unusually watchful, dressed in a tiny white shirt, navy vest, matching trousers, and a small bow tie, his serious gray eyes scanning the room.
Across the room, restaurant manager Mr. Carrillo stiffened in pure panic. Recognizing Dante immediately, the nervous forty-eight-year-old manager swiftly snatched two heavy silver serving platters right out of Alina’s hands.
"Take table four," Mr. Carrillo whispered urgently, his dark tie twitching as he gestured nervously toward the central VIP booth where Dante was settling in. "Be fast, be quiet, and do not make eye contact."
Alina nodded cautiously, stepping out into the dining floor. As she approached the table, her eyes fell upon the striking dark dragon tattoo winding up Dante's neck. She froze for a fraction of a second, an unexplained chill running down her spine, before recovering her composure and stepping beside the dark leather booth.
Taking out her small pad, Alina kept her voice soft and professional. "Good evening, sir. Welcome to La Luce. May I start you off with something to drink?"
Dante didn't look up immediately. He adjusted baby Leo in his arm, his luxury wristwatch gleaming under the chandelier lights. "Warm milk for him," Dante commanded calmly, his deep, resonant voice carrying an undisputed authority.
"Of course, right away," Alina nodded, turning to head back toward the service station.
Before she could take two steps, tiny Leo suddenly twisted around in Dante’s arms. The nine-month-old infant let out a soft cry, reaching desperately toward Alina with both small hands stretched out. Dante frowned slightly, leaning back to settle his son, but Leo kicked his little legs, refusing to let go, his serious gray eyes fixed solely on Alina.
Alina stopped and turned around, offering a gentle, reassuring smile. She cautiously stepped closer to the edge of the leather booth. "It's okay, little guy..."
In a flash, Leo reached out his chubby little hand, grabbed the thin silver chain around Alina's neck, and pulled hard. The delicate silver pendant popped out from beneath her pale-blue blouse, swinging in the air.
Dante’s eyes shifted down to the silver pendant. Carved intricate onto the metal face was a small, identical dragon symbol matching the exact design tattooed onto his neck.
Dante froze. His entire muscular frame went completely still.
Slowly, almost in disbelief, Dante reached out his broad, tattooed hand toward the gleaming pendant. Alina instinctively backed up half a step, holding the silver dragon tightly against her chest.
"Where did you get that?" Dante asked, his deep voice stunned and quiet, stripped of all coldness.
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Alina looked into his intense eyes, her breath hitching in her throat. "My mother gave it to me eight months ago... right before she disappeared."
Dante’s jaw tightened sharply as his face transformed into a look of absolute, staggering shock.
