Luigi Balestra carefully felt Drake's shoulder as the long measuring tape slowly slid down the boy's arm."Now, Signor Vasari, the shoulder width must be exact so the suit will fit perfectly," said the elderly tailor with a friendly smile.
Drake looked around the workshop, where every detail radiated perfection, but something else caught his attention — the girl watching him from the corner with a sparkling gaze, arms crossed over her chest, wearing a light brown apron, playfully twirling the measuring tape between her fingers.
Drake couldn't resist any longer and spoke up:"What's your name?"
The girl sized him up for a moment, then answered with a fiery but respectful smile:"Isabella. But everyone just calls me Bella."
Luigi laughed and joined the conversation:"Bella's tough, but truly talented. Drake, get ready, her company won't be boring."
Drake nodded, but inside a strange warmth began to spread. Bella's eyes, framed by her black hair and burning brown eyes, were wild and alluring at the same time, as if every movement carried a hidden challenge.
After the first measurements, while Luigi worked with fabrics, Drake stepped closer to Bella and whispered softly:"Listen, be glad I'm here. Not every day does a Vasari come into my workshop."
Drake and Bella smiled, feeling that these days would be more than just simple suit fittings — the fire and the game were just beginning.
Luigi stopped in the doorway, gave a final smile, and said:"Now you're alone, gentlemen. Trust yourselves, and Bella, be careful not to let this fitting drag on too long."
As the old tailor left, the door quietly closed, and suddenly only the two young people remained in the workshop.
Bella stepped closer with a narrow, fiery smile and teasingly said:"So, you're the big Vasari? I thought you were just another rich man's grandson, born with a silver spoon and no idea how the real world works."
Drake raised his eyebrow but didn't back down."And you think that's a bad thing?"
Bella just shook her head, her eyes sparkling with playful challenge."No, just interesting. I'm not used to this. Most people here either work or stay silent, but you… you seem to live in a different world."
Drake stepped closer and answered in a quieter voice:"Maybe that's exactly why I'm here. To understand this world a little better."
Bella grew serious for a moment, then smiled again, but this time there was no trace of sarcasm."Well, if you're like that, it's going to be exciting. But remember, the real world isn't always kind to outsiders."
Drake laughed and realized that Bella was not only fiery but sharp as well.
Bella leaned in a little closer, curiosity sparkling in her eyes."So, Dr. Vasari, tell me, what's a man who has everything doing here, at a tailor's? What's your real story?"
Drake answered with a half-smile, his voice deep and somewhat reserved."There are things that aren't easy to understand at first. But I'm not here to talk about myself."
Bella's eyes glinted even sharper, her voice playful yet challenging."Oh, we're playing? I thought silver spoon boys didn't like to play. So what secrets do you have, Mr. Vasari? Why don't you say more?"
Drake shrugged, his gaze seeming to drift far away for a moment."There are things better left untold. For now. Maybe later, if you earn it."
Bella laughed with a grimace, sensing a game had started between them—a mental battle where neither wanted to give in first."Alright, mysterious sir. We'll see who holds out the longest."
Suddenly, a loud roar of an engine came from outside, and a dark car stopped at the shop's door. Drake snapped his head up, Bella moved too—but then the shots rang out—gunfire cracked in the street, bullets whistled toward the windows.
Drake reacted immediately, grabbed Bella's hand, and quickly pulled her behind the nearest table for cover."Stay behind me!" he ordered in a low, firm voice.
Bella's heartbeat quickened but she didn't panic. She saw the focus and cold determination on Drake's face.
More shots fired from outside; the danger drew closer, but Drake remained calm, ready for the next move.
Drake looked toward the attackers standing in the dark street. He immediately recognized one young face — a member of the neutral faction, yet somehow connected to the family. The man wasn't armed, so instinctively Drake reached into Bella's cloak and freed a sharp pair of scissors.
He took a deep breath, then spoke quietly but firmly:"Tell me, Bella, is there anything Luigi strictly forbade you to touch or handle?"
Bella's eyes locked onto his, and for a moment the air froze. Her heartbeat raced, mixed with fear and adrenaline."Yes... the... the drafting table to the right of the window... the middle drawer. You must never touch it. Ever."
Drake barely blinked, turning slowly and carefully toward the table without looking at the drawer beforehand.With a cautious motion, he opened the middle drawer and paused for a moment before quickly grabbing a weapon."This… will protect both of us."
With these words, he ducked back behind cover and started firing at the approaching attackers. The car immediately began to retreat, then suddenly sped off, disappearing into the night.
Bella stood trembling beside Drake, feeling that not only the attack but the entire situation was bigger than them.
The car drove away down the sunlit street, vanishing around the corner. Drake pulled back behind a pillar next to the shop window, then calmly turned to Bella."Stay here. Don't move."
Bella nodded with trembling hands; fear still flickered in her eyes, but she tried to stay strong. Inside, Drake felt the tension, but outwardly he remained calm and composed — it was the first time he'd faced danger so directly, and he refused to be defeated by it.
He stepped out of the shop and looked around the quiet street bathed in sunlight. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and there were no innocent victims. He calmly and deliberately returned inside the tailor's.
He pulled out his phone, closed his eyes, and one name flashed in his mind. After a few presses, he spoke:"Lazarus. Burn the city down."
On the other end of the line, everything was understood with just one word. Drake said no more.
Marcello moved immediately.
Drake took a deep breath. As he turned back to Bella, he noticed the girl trembling, fear shining in her eyes.
He slowly crouched down beside her, locked his gaze with hers, and spoke softly and soothingly:"It's okay. I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you."
Bella hesitated, then slowly, as if finding a safe refuge, wrapped her arms around Drake. Tears welled up and quietly, but sincerely, she began to cry.
Drake gently stroked her back, knowing this was the moment when the girl would show him her true self.
He held Bella tenderly, feeling her trembling and the fear stirred up by the recent attack. He didn't rush, letting her calm down.
Bella clung tightly and began to cry. "I don't want to be afraid anymore," she whispered, her voice a fragile mixture of innocence and longing.
Drake's eyes hardened, and a vow was born within him."I won't let anything happen to you. That's my promise."
Bella pulled herself together, the thought of calling the police crossed her mind, but Drake cut her off quickly:"There's no need."
At that moment, Luigi returned and immediately noticed the ruins of the shop. Concern appeared on his face, but first he looked for the children."Is everyone okay?" he asked quickly.
Drake nodded, then took a deep breath and explained the situation:"They attacked us. Neutral faction."
Luigi's eyes grew serious, and despite the friendly, familial atmosphere, tension filled the room.
Luigi looked deeply into Drake's eyes, his face solemn but his voice firm and reassuring."Drake, the entire Italian faction stands behind you now. Not just you, but all of us are with you. This wasn't just an attack — it was a message. But your place isn't here right now."
Drake started to leave.He paused for a moment, then added,"Bella is yours. Take care of her, do whatever it takes to protect her. I'll handle what needs handling."
Luigi nodded, and Drake felt deep gratitude toward him.
Drake stopped briefly in the doorway, glanced at Bella — confusion still marked her face, unable to grasp the situation fully. He smiled at her, then stepped out.
His face looked calm, but an inner tension vibrated in every move. Bella stood amidst the shop's wreckage, still trembling, but in her gaze lurked something new: curiosity and an instinctive trust she was beginning to feel toward Drake.
As the door closed behind him, Bella let out a quiet sigh and turned toward the window, where the distant sounds of retreating cars still echoed."What happens now?" she muttered to herself, fingers tracing the broken glass shards.
Then Luigi returned, his expression blank but his eyes burning with determination. He stepped closer to Bella and placed a hand on her shoulder."Bella, this isn't your fight. Stay here until Drake comes back, and don't try anything on your own."
Bella looked up at him, the fire still burning within her, but she accepted Luigi's words."Okay… but I won't stay silent. I want to know what's going on."
Luigi nodded."You'll know when the time comes."
As he left the shop, Bella was left alone among the ruins, but fear no longer ruled her — instead, a feeling promising a new beginning had taken root.
Meanwhile, Drake was already at the Vasari family's base. Around him, people buzzed, but the whole atmosphere thrummed with tension and anger.
Marcello approached, his face reflecting not worry but fierce determination."Drake, the Lazarus clan knows you're looking for them."
Drake nodded."They deserve it."
Marcello's voice almost burst with rage:"They're just ants to be crushed! They dared attack our prince. We can't allow them to carry out their plans on our turf. Everyone feels the fury now — feel the people around you, everyone's ready to judge in the name of the Vasari."
Drake scanned the faces of those present, their eyes shining with anger and devotion to the fight.
Marcello raised his arm, his voice ringing powerfully throughout the hall:"We will smoke out those who think they can play with us. We'll draw out the leaders of Lazarus and end their scheming. This is our land. They will not set foot here."
The room filled with the fighting spirit; everyone knew this was more than simple revenge — it was a matter of respect and power.
Marcello stepped back and locked eyes with Drake."This is our war. Under the Vasari name, anyone who opposes us will be destroyed."
Drake walked along the rows of his men, reading the fire in their faces, the hatred ready for battle. The Vasari family would not tolerate humiliation, and now it had to be made clear: anyone who defies them chooses hell.
"The first step," Drake said with a deep, resolute voice, "is to weed out the Lazarus clan's traitors from within. Someone knows something, someone will betray them. And when we expose the weak link, that will be the beginning of burning everything to ashes that carries their name."
Marcello nodded with satisfaction, then looked at the group."I want everyone to know: this is no mere revenge, but the restoration of the Vasari's glory. There will be no mercy. Anyone who turns against our clan acts not only against us but against their own family."
Weapons clattered, soldiers prepared tensely — the Vasari house became a sharp-eyed predator ready to strike.
A chill ran down Drake's spine, but it was no longer fear. It was the fire of rage and resolve. For the clan, for the family, for the blood.
"The night will be dark," he whispered, "but by tomorrow morning, the Lazarus clan will be ashes."
Drake cast a sharp glance over those present."Tonight, everything linked to the Lazarus clan — businesses, clubs, brothels, every single house of cards — must burn. This is not just revenge, but a clear message to everyone who dares oppose the Vasari."
The room listened silently as Drake's words hung heavy in the air.
"In the heart of the underworld, we must now create the greatest chaos they have ever seen. This will be my introduction. No mercy, no negotiations. The enemy will be destroyed, and everyone who stands against us must be broken."
A faint smile appeared on Marcello's face as he matched his movements to his words."This is what we've been waiting for. We cannot let the Lazarus clan think they control this place."
Drake nodded."Prepare yourselves. Tonight the fire won't just burn them — it will destroy everything they've built."In the hearts of the warriors, the fire ignited by their leader blazed. Tonight, everything would go up in flames.