Chapter 3

Ares Saviano woke up in a luxurious bed, the soft sheets tangled around him. He tilted his head to the side, his eyes falling on the half-naked woman beside him, her hair splayed across the pillow. His head throbbed from the drinks he had consumed last night.

Groaning, he tried to sit up, but the door burst open, and Antonio Conti stepped inside, his face set in a grim expression.

"Ares, get dressed immediately," Antonio commanded. "The police are at our door with a warrant."

Ares rubbed his temples, trying to shake off the headache. "What the hell are you talking about? And why the fuck didn't you knock?"

Antonio's eyes flicked to the woman in the bed, then back to Ares. "There’s no time to explain. She needs to get the fuck out of here...now."

Ares glanced at the woman, then back at Antonio. "Fine, give me a minute, for fuck's sake."

He quickly got out of bed in his briefs, ignoring the woman’s confused mumbling as she began to wake. Ares dressed hurriedly, his mind racing. What could have brought the police to his doorstep so early in the morning? It was unusual; they usually got a heads-up, so why didn't he get one?

Antonio turned to the woman. "You need to get dressed and leave immediately."

She looked confused and then angry, turning her gaze to Ares. "Are you going to let your men speak to me that way?"

Ares didn't pay any attention to her. "Do as you're told," he said flatly. He turned back to Antonio, who was already helping Ares into his jacket. "Do you know why the police are here?"

Antonio nodded grimly. "There's an article that went viral last night. It has some serious evidence against you and the family. Martina Romano, a journalist, is the source. They've connected her to us, and now they're acting fast."

Ares cursed under his breath, his mind racing with plans and countermeasures. "How did they get a warrant so soon? Has news gotten to my father?"

"Apparently the police were already planning to get a warrant, the article just made it quicker for them. Yes, your father is aware but I am yet to get a call from him," Antonio replied.

Ares's jaw flexed, anger consuming him at the audacity of someone to publish something against him. Whoever they were, they were going to pay. He stared at the woman in the bed. "How much?" he asked coldly.

The woman’s face twisted in anger. "How much? What do you mean how much?" The woman questioned. "Do you take me for some prostitute or what? I thought you wanted something serious. You said that last night!"

Ignoring her, Ares reached into his wardrobe and pulled out three bundles of cash. He threw them on the bed. "Forget we ever met."

She looked at the money, then back at him, hurt and betrayal in her eyes. Ares didn’t care. He turned to Antonio. "Let's handle the police."

As they left the room, the woman’s protests faded into the background. Ares's mind was already on the problem at hand. He needed to neutralize this threat quickly. They moved through the mansion, the tension thick in the air.

At the main entrance, police officers were waiting, their expressions stern. Ares put on a calm facade as he approached them, Antonio at his side.

"Good morning, officers. What seems to be the problem?" Ares asked, his voice smooth and controlled.

The lead officer stepped forward, holding up a warrant. "We have a warrant to search the premises. We received credible information regarding illegal activities."

Just as Ares was about to speak, his mother, Gabriella Saviano, walked in. Her elegant presence filled the room, and the officers paused, recognizing her authority in the household.

"Ares, what is going on here?" Gabriella asked, her voice calm but with an edge of concern. She had been informed by one of the maids that the police were here.

Ares turned to her, his expression softening slightly. "Mother, it's just a misunderstanding. The police have a warrant to search the house."

Gabriella's eyes narrowed as she looked at the lead officer. "A warrant? For what reason?"

The officer, sensing the gravity of addressing Gabriella Saviano, spoke respectfully. "Ma'am, we received credible information regarding illegal activities linked to this address. We have to conduct a search."

Gabriella’s face remained composed, but her eyes flashed with anger. "This is preposterous. We are a respectable family. Ares, have you contacted our lawyer?"

Ares nodded. "Yes, Mother. I'm handling it."

Gabriella turned her attention back to the officers. "Very well. You may proceed with your search, but know that you will find nothing here. We have always operated within the bounds of the law."

The officers nodded and began their search, guided by the maids.

Gabriella stepped closer to Ares, her voice lowering so only he could hear. "What is really going on, Ares? Who is behind this?"

Ares's jaw tightened. "Can you handle the police while me and Antonio deal with this?"

Gabriella nodded, concern etched on her face. "Of course, but I want you to stay calm. Antonio can handle this. We don’t need more trouble." And in trouble, she met Ares. She could see it in his eyes, he looked ready to cause havoc.

Antonio agreed. "She's right, Ares. Let me handle this. We need to handle this carefully, the last thing we want is the police on our tails."

Ares clenched his fists, his jaw flexing with barely contained anger. "I need to handle this myself. Whoever did this will pay. Personally."

Gabriella placed a firm hand on his arm. "Fine. But promise me you won’t act rashly. We need to think strategically. Don’t do anything that will make this worse."

Ares shook his head. "I can't promise that, Mother. Whoever is behind this will be meeting God personally today."

Gabriella sighed, she stared at Antonio without a word and Antonio knew that look. He was to make sure Ares didn't do something foolish, he bowed his head slightly taking note of her cryptic look.

Ares and Antonio left the mansion, moving with purpose towards the black SUV parked outside. Gabriella watched them go, her worry clear but unspoken. She turned back to the police, her face a mask of calm authority.

As they drove through the city streets, Ares's anger simmered just below the surface. He couldn't believe someone had dared to cross him like this. His thoughts were consumed with finding this supposed journalist, Martina Romano and making her pay.

"Antonio," Ares said, his voice tight with controlled rage, "do we know where she is?"

Antonio nodded, his eyes on the road. "Our men are tracking her down. She won't be able to hide for long."

"Good," Ares replied, his jaw clenching. "When we find her, I want to be the one to handle it."

Antonio glanced at him, concern in his eyes. "Remember what your mother said, Ares. We need to handle this carefully."

Ares's eyes were cold and determined. "I know what I'm doing, Antonio. This isn't just about the article. It's about sending a message. No one crosses the Saviano family and gets away with it."

They drove in silence for a while, both men lost in their thoughts. Finally, Antonio's phone buzzed. He answered it, speaking briefly with one of their men.

"She's been spotted," Antonio said, ending the call. "She is currently at Trueline Investigations Company."

Ares's lips curled into a grim smile. "Perfect. Time for some consequences."