Chapter 1 The Devil In A Black Suit

"Please, Mr. Blackwood. I have a family!"

Lorenzo Blackwood stared at the man kneeling before his desk.

The man's hands shook violently. His expensive shirt was stained with blood, his lower lip was split, and sweat ran down his temples. He had been begging for nearly ten minutes, but Lorenzo hadn't shown the slightest reaction.

He sat behind an enormous mahogany desk, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His broad shoulders rested against the leather chair, and one long leg crossed over the other. A silver watch gleamed beneath his shirt cuff.

At twenty-nine, Lorenzo possessed a fortune that could make entire families wealthy. He owned luxury hotels, construction companies, shipping businesses and several international investments.

But his legitimate businesses were only a small part of his empire.

Behind the polished offices and expensive boardrooms, Lorenzo controlled a criminal organisation whose reach extended across several countries. His orders were rarely questioned. His enemies were rarely given second chances.

"Look at me," he said.

The kneeling man slowly lifted his head.

Lorenzo's dark eyes held him in place.

"Did you remember your family when you sold my shipment details to the Moretti organisation?"

"I was desperate, sir."

"Desperate?"

Lorenzo tilted his head slightly. A faint crease appeared between his eyebrows.

"Three shipments were intercepted. Two of my men are dead. And you stand here telling me you were desperate?"

The man began shaking his head.

"I didn't know they would kill anyone. They promised me money. I swear I didn't know!"

Lorenzo's jaw tightened.

"You accepted money from my enemies and expected them to respect your conscience?"

He reached for the glass of water on his desk.

"Marcus."

The man standing beside the door immediately stepped forward.

"Yes, boss?"

"Take him away."

The traitor's eyes widened.

"No! Please! Mr. Blackwood, please!"

He scrambled forward and grabbed Lorenzo's trouser leg.

One of the guards seized him by the collar and pulled him backwards.

Lorenzo didn't even look down.

"Get him out of my office."

The guards dragged the screaming man through the door.

A few seconds later, a gunshot echoed from somewhere down the corridor.

Lorenzo took another sip of water.

"Have the room cleaned," he instructed.

"Yes, boss."

Marcus remained beside the door.

"There's another matter."

Lorenzo placed his glass down.

"Speak."

"The Morettis are claiming responsibility for the attack on our shipment. They've also been asking questions about the eastern port."

A muscle moved in Lorenzo's cheek.

"Who gave them permission to operate in my territory?"

"Nobody."

"Then why are they behaving as though they own it?"

Marcus didn't answer.

Lorenzo slowly rose from his chair. At six feet three, his broad frame and imposing presence made even the men who worked for him careful about their words.

"Find out who is helping them," he ordered. "I want names, addresses and every transaction connected to them."

"And if we find the people responsible?"

Lorenzo adjusted his cufflinks.

"Make sure they never forget the mistake they made."

Marcus nodded.

"Understood."

---

"You're going to destroy yourself one day."

Lorenzo didn't turn.

His younger brother, Daniel Blackwood, walked into the office and dropped into the chair opposite the desk.

Daniel was twenty-eight, handsome and considerably more sociable than his older brother. He loosened his tie and studied Lorenzo's expression.

"Do you ever get tired of killing people?"

Lorenzo picked up a document.

"Do you ever get tired of asking stupid questions?"

Daniel sighed.

"Good morning to you too."

"What do you want?"

"The board meeting."

"Three o'clock. I know."

"And Victoria."

Lorenzo's pen stopped.

"What about her?"

"She's back in the country. She's also been speaking to reporters."

Lorenzo slowly raised his eyes.

"About what?"

"Your broken engagement. Apparently, she wants to tell everyone how badly you treated her."

A humourless smile touched Lorenzo's lips.

"She should find something more useful to do with her time."

"She's threatening to release private information."

"Let her."

Daniel leaned forward.

"You're not taking this seriously."

Lorenzo placed the pen on the desk.

"Then explain why I should."

"Because she's not acting alone. Someone is helping her."

The smile disappeared from Lorenzo's face.

"Who?"

"We're still investigating."

Lorenzo stood and walked towards the floor-to-ceiling windows. Far below, the city moved beneath him, filled with people who had no idea how much of their world was controlled by the man standing above them.

"Find out who is behind her."

"And if it's someone close to us?"

Lorenzo turned.

His expression was unreadable.

"Especially if it's someone close to us."

Daniel studied him for a moment.

"Do you ever think about having a normal life?"

"No."

"Marriage? A family? Someone waiting for you at home?"

Lorenzo gave him a cold look.

"Have you forgotten what happened to our father?"

Daniel's expression changed.

For a moment, neither brother spoke.

Their father's death had left more than grief behind. It had left unanswered questions, enemies and a criminal empire that Lorenzo had spent years tightening his grip around.

Daniel finally stood.

"Fine. I'll leave you to your empire."

"Close the door."

Daniel shook his head as he walked out.

Lorenzo returned to his desk.

His phone vibrated.

An unknown number appeared on the screen.

"You inherited your father's empire, but you don't know the truth about his death".

His fingers stopped above the document.

Another message arrived.

"Ask your uncle what happened that night."

Lorenzo stared at the screen.

The muscles in his jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened.

He immediately called Marcus.

"Trace this number."

"We'll need a little time, boss."

"You have ten minutes."

He ended the call.

Someone had just brought his father's death into a conversation that should have remained buried.

And Lorenzo Blackwood did not appreciate people digging through his past.

---

Across the city, Valentina Hart was having a terrible morning.

"Tell me you're joking."

Maya Brooks stood in the middle of their small office, holding her phone with a troubled expression.

"I'm not joking," she replied. "The client cancelled."

Valentina stared at her.

"After signing the agreement?"

"Yes."

"After we spent three weeks preparing everything?"

Maya nodded reluctantly.

Valentina dropped the folder in her hand onto the desk.

"Unbelievable."

She pressed her fingers against her forehead, trying to control her frustration.

At twenty-one, Valentina had already learned that running a business required more than creativity and determination. It required patience, money, connections and the ability to survive people who changed their minds without considering the consequences.

She had built Hart Events from almost nothing. Every new client mattered, every payment was carefully planned, and every successful event brought her closer to the business she dreamed of owning.

Now one cancellation threatened to undo weeks of work.

She walked towards the window, her long dark hair falling over her shoulders.

She wore a fitted cream blouse tucked into a high-waisted black skirt that followed her feminine figure, accentuating her defined waist and softly rounded hips. Her warm brown complexion complemented her elegant appearance, but her expressive eyes were filled with irritation.

"Three weeks, Maya," she muttered. "They wasted three weeks of our time."

"I know."

"And they couldn't even call me themselves?"

"I know, Valentina."

She turned around.

"Stop saying you know!"

Maya raised both hands.

"Okay. I'm sorry."

Valentina exhaled and sank into her chair.

For a few seconds, she said nothing.

Then Maya's expression brightened.

"Actually, I found something."

Valentina looked up.

"What?"

Maya placed her phone on the desk and showed her a photograph of a magnificent building.

"The Blackwood Grand Hotel."

Valentina leaned closer.

"That's one of the most expensive hotels in the city."

"Exactly. They're organising a private charity gala next week. Their usual event company has withdrawn, and management is looking for a replacement."

Valentina's eyes widened.

"Do you know how much a contract like that could do for us?"

"That's why I brought it to you."

"What's the budget?"

Maya told her.

Valentina's mouth fell open.

"You're serious?"

"Completely."

She grabbed her handbag.

"Then let's get our proposal ready."

Maya laughed.

"You haven't even had lunch."

"I'll eat after we secure the contract."

---

By late afternoon, Valentina had submitted the proposal.

She sat at her desk, tapping her fingers against the surface while waiting for a response.

Maya watched her with an amused expression.

"You're going to wear out that desk."

"Can you blame me?"

"Maybe you should relax."

"Relax? Maya, this contract could pay our rent for months."

Her phone chimed.

Both women immediately looked at it.

Valentina picked it up.

**Subject: Event Proposal Accepted**

Her eyes moved quickly across the message.

Dear Miss Hart,

We are pleased to inform you that your proposal has been accepted. Please report to the Blackwood Grand Hotel tomorrow morning for a meeting with the management team and final event arrangements.

Valentina covered her mouth.

Maya jumped to her feet.

"Well?"

Valentina looked up, grinning.

"We got it!"

Maya screamed.

The two friends hugged, laughing and celebrating in the middle of the office.

For Valentina, it was more than a contract. It was proof that her little company was beginning to make a name for itself.

---

The following morning, a black Maybach pulled up in front of the Blackwood Grand Hotel.

Lorenzo stepped out, followed by two bodyguards.

The hotel manager hurried towards him.

"Good morning, sir."

Lorenzo gave a brief nod.

"Where is the report?"

"In your office, sir. Everything is ready."

"Good."

He walked through the entrance.

Employees immediately moved aside.

Some lowered their heads respectfully. Others pretended to be occupied with their work.

Nobody wanted to attract his attention unnecessarily.

His phone vibrated.

He pulled it out.

Another message from the unknown number.

You have until midnight to discover the truth. After that, someone else will tell you.

Lorenzo's expression hardened.

He read the message twice before slipping the phone into his pocket.

"Boss?" one of his guards asked.

Lorenzo looked at him.

"Find the sender."

"We're working on it."

"Work faster."

He continued towards the executive elevator.

Before he could reach it, his phone rang.

Marcus.

Lorenzo answered.

"What?"

"Boss, we have a problem."

"What problem?"

"The person who sent those messages has contacted the hotel."

Lorenzo stopped walking.

His eyes narrowed.

"Explain."

Marcus lowered his voice.

"They've requested a meeting with you. They've also mentioned your father's name."

For several seconds, Lorenzo said nothing.

Then his voice dropped.

"Lock down the hotel."

"Understood."

"And Marcus?"

"Yes, boss?"

"Nobody leaves until I know who is behind this."