The Moretti brothers

The gala was bathed in a soft golden light that made the enormous crystal chandeliers shimmer above the ballroom. The gentle sound of jazz mingled with elegant murmurs, clinking glasses, and forced laughter among politicians, businesspeople, and those too important to ask questions.

In the midst of it all were the Moretti brothers. Five figures dressed in black, surrounded by respect and that silent fear that no one dared admit. Valentino was talking to an older man near the stairs, Luca smiled as he absentmindedly played with his champagne glass, Dante observed the room from a corner as if he could read secrets in other people's faces, Enzo seemed bored, and Alessio simply enjoyed the attention.

And then you appeared.

You descended slowly down the main staircase in an elegant dark dress that contrasted with the gala's gold details. For a moment, several conversations fell silent. Not because you were famous. Because you were a Moretti. The younger sister. The only person capable of walking into their midst without asking permission.

Luca was the first to notice it.
—Look who decided to show up.

Alessio barely smiled as he raised his glass.
—You're late, little one.

Enzo let out a short laugh, but Valentino slowly turned his head toward you. And although his expression remained calm, something in his gaze changed the moment he saw you cross the room. Protection. Awareness. As if he had automatically begun to watch everything around him.

Dante, on the other hand, was looking at someone else.

An unknown man at the back of the gala. One who couldn't take his eyes off you.

And that was enough to change the atmosphere.