Darker Than Red

[LUNA]I puffed my cigarette, inhaling, sucking the smoke gently into my system. I closed my eyes and let the smoke settle into my lungs for a few seconds before I exhaled. The life of a Mafia is not as easy as it seems; it is not as ideal as everyone imagined, as if you could kill whoever you wanted. We, Camorra provide security and protection to our clients at a reasonable price. But that doesn't mean we're the good guys. We're bad, really bad. We kill people who try to come in our way. We do everything both legally and illegally. We have businesses, too. We deal in smuggling, human trafficking, gambling, selling drugs, prostitution, and any other criminal activity you can think of. Simultaneously, we have legal enterprises such as petrol stations, restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs that we utilize as a front to conceal our illicit activities.I'm Luna Salvatore, the daughter of Camorra's Boss, Marco Salvatore. I am a Caporegime. It would have been nice if I’m Camorra's lone Caporegi

[LUNA]Loud sounds blared from the speakers as I entered the bar. Lights flashed and people filled the dance floor. The bar, as usual, is always busy, full of people eager to dance and drink. The atmosphere is electric, and the energy is high.I slipped a wad of cash into the bouncer's pocket, and he grinned at me, recognizing me as a regular. "Thanks, Luna," he said, giving me a nod.I returned the gesture and made my way deeper into the club. As a Caporegime, it was essential to know how to navigate any situation.As I scanned the room, I could feel the eyes of the staff on me, all of them aware of who I was and what I represented. It was part of the job, and I relished the power it gave me.Being a Caporegime meant knowing how to get things done, no matter what. And having the right connections was the key. That's why I made it a point to be generous to those who could help me, whether it be the bouncer or the bartender.As I made my way to the VIP section, I couldn't help but feel

[ABBIE]As I stepped into the house, my sister's warm embrace enveloped me. "Abbie, where did you go? I was so worried," she exclaimed.I flashed a small grin and settled into a chair at the dining table. With my parents still at work, Mia must have been the one to whip up tonight's dinner. "Just went to the museum," I replied."The museum? Did you go to see your painting?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.I nodded slowly, my mind still lingering on the canvas that had once held so much promise."I needed to find some motivation, some inspiration to paint again," I confessed. "I lost it all after Xanthe passed away. She was the only one who ever truly believed in me."As I twiddled my fingers, a sense of sadness crept over me. How was I supposed to paint again?Mia's hand reached out and grasped mine, halting my fidgeting. "I'm sorry, Abbie. I know I haven't always been the best sister to you," she said, her voice laced with regret. Normally, I might have grown irritated, but I fel

[ABBIE]I woke up with the smell of something cooking downstairs. It must be my mom. I feel like slowly, day by day, I'm starting to be comfortable with reconnecting again with my family. Despite the warmth I felt, a hollow feeling lingered within me. It was as if something was missing, and I couldn't pinpoint what it was. Nevertheless, I was grateful for my family's efforts to understand me.Night after night, my dreams were haunted by Xanthe's presence, but never in a positive way. Every time I saw her, a feeling of dread consumed me. But then, out of nowhere, Luna appeared, wearing a smug smile on her face. She'd wrap me in a warm embrace, and it felt odd because I barely knew her, except for the fact that she shared Xanthe's face.Ever since that night in the museum, I couldn't shake off the recurring dream. However, in this nightmare, Luna always tried to rescue me. It was strange, because she ran away from me in the Museum. I shouldn’t be dreaming about her rescuing me."Good mo

[RUBY]"The art of seduction, have you heard of it?" James asked, still trying to explain what he meant.I was still confused and hesitant about what he was trying to teach me, as I was afraid he might ask me to become a prostitute."You mean the book by Robert Greene?" I asked.James smirked and nodded in response."Yes, I know the book, but what does it have to do with the Camorra?" I asked, feeling my patience wearing thin. I knew I needed to learn something, but I needed to know what it was.James stood up from his seat and slowly walked towards me. He stopped behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders before whispering, "You're going to need to learn that."I gulped nervously as my body stiffened in my seat. "If you want to join the Camorra, you need to be useful to them," he added, emphasizing the importance of what he was teaching me."You really want me to become a prostitute?" I asked, still feeling confused and uneasy about what he was proposing."No, Ruby, you'll be a w