Night fell, wrapping the city in shadows and secrets. Caterina paced back and forth in Nico's penthouse, her thoughts running wild. He had been gone for hours and the silence was driving her crazy. She hated being so helpless, stuck relying on that man who loved all the drama.

Her phone buzzed, yanking her back to reality. She snatched it up, thinking it was Nico, but it was a number she didn't recognize.

"Hello?" she answered, her voice hesitant.

"Ms. Caterina," a deep, unfamiliar voice spoke. "You don't know me, but I know who you are. And I know what you have."

Her breath hitched. "Who is this?"

The man chuckled darkly. "Let's just say I have a personal interest in the evidence you're holding. You're in over your head, sweetheart. Hand it over, and maybe I'll let you live."

Caterina gripped the phone tighter. "I don't have anything."

"Don't play dumb," the man snapped. "You think hiding behind Nico Romano will protect you? You have no idea what kind of enemies you've made."

Before she could reply, the line went dead. Her hands shook as she lowered the phone. Who was that? And how did they know about the evidence?

She rushed to lock the doors and windows, her mind racing. She had been reckless getting involved in this mess and now there was no turning back.

~~~

Hours later, Nico returned, his presence instantly filling the room.

"You're back," she said, her voice a mix of relief and frustration.

He glanced at her, immediately noticing her tense posture. "Something happened," he stated, setting down a small folder.

Caterina hesitated, then handed him her phone. "Someone called me. They know about the evidence."

Nico's jaw tightened as he listened to her explain. When she was done, his face was a mask, but his eyes were burning mad.

"They're getting desperate," he muttered, pacing the room. "Whoever they are, they're trying to shake you up."

"Well, it's working," Caterina snapped. "What am I supposed to do, Nico? Just sit here and wait for them to find me?"

"You don't have to do anything," he said firmly. "I'll handle it."

"And how exactly do you plan on doing that?" she demanded.

He turned to her, his gaze intense. "By making it clear that no one touches you. Not while you're under my protection."

Caterina stared at him, her heart pounding. It was both scary and comforting, the way he said it, like he really thought he could protect her from anything.

~~~

The next morning, Nico called in a favor from one of his most trusted allies, a man named Marco. Marco was a tech genius, the kind of person who could hack into anything and track anyone.

He arrived at the penthouse with his laptop, his easygoing attitude a complete contrast to Nico's serious nature.

"So," Marco said, settling onto the couch, "you want me to trace the call?"

"Yes," Nico replied. "And find out who's behind it."

Marco got to work, typing away. Caterina watched from the corner, feeling like an outsider in this world of criminals and secrets.

A few minutes later, Marco let out a low whistle. "Well, this is interesting."

"What is it?" Nico asked, stepping closer.

"The call came from a burner phone," Marco explained. "But I traced the signal back to a warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Looks like your enemies are getting sloppy."

A slow, dangerous smile spread across Nico's face. "Good. Let's pay them a visit."

Caterina's stomach twisted. "You're not serious."

"I'm always serious," Nico said.

"You can't just walk into a trap!" she argued.

"It's not a trap," he said calmly. "It's an opportunity. They don't know we've found them yet."

Before she could argue, Nico was already telling Marco what to do. In minutes, the plan was moving and Caterina knew she couldn't stop him.

~~~

That night, Nico and his men went to the warehouse, leaving Caterina with orders to stay put.

The warehouse was exactly what Nico expected old, filthy and oozing with danger. His men moved in silence, guns ready as they scanned the area.

Inside, a group of men sat huddled around a table, whispering among themselves.

Nico stepped into the room, his presence instantly grabbing their attention.

"Evening, gentlemen," he said, his tone cool and mocking. "Hope I'm not crashing the party."

The men jumped to their feet, their faces turning pale.

"You-" one of them stuttered, but Nico didn't let him finish.

"Let's skip the introductions," he said smoothly. "You've been getting bold lately. Calling my associate, threatening her... Was that really the smartest move?"

The men exchanged nervous glances, clearly realizing they were in deep trouble.

"We didn't mean any harm," one of them blurted out. "We were just following orders."

"Whose orders?" Nico asked.

The man hesitated and Nico took a step closer, aiming his gun straight at his chest.

"I'll ask again," Nico said, his voice dangerously calm. "Whose orders?"

"Vittorio!" the man blurted out. "It was Vittorio."

Nico's eyes darkened. Vittorio an old rival who had been trying to take him down for years.

"Where is he?" Nico pressed.

"I don't know," the man said, his voice shaking. "He never tells us where he is."

Nico let out a sigh, as if disappointed. "Wrong answer."

Before the man could react, Nico shot him in the leg. His scream echoed through the warehouse.

The rest of the men panicked, quickly spilling everything they knew, desperate to avoid the same fate.

~~~

When Nico returned to the penthouse later that night, Caterina was waiting for him, pacing anxiously.

"Well?" she asked the moment he walked in.

"We've got a lead," he said, walking past her to pour himself a drink.

"And?"

"And now we wait," he said simply.

Caterina frowned. "Waiting for him to act is the same as handing him the gun and telling him to take his time."

Nico smirked. "The real threat isn't the man with the loudest gun. It's the one who smiles while pulling the trigger."

She crossed her arms, unimpressed. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"So I've been told," he replied, amused.

Despite her frustration, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of admiration for him. Nico was ruthless, yes, but he was also sharp and fiercely protective. And whether she liked it or not, she felt safer with him around.

But as she watched him sip his whiskey, she couldn't shake the feeling that the real danger was just beginning.