Chapter 4 Debt Collector

Alessia's fingers trembled as she clutched the doorframe, staring up at Dante Russo. His presence seemed to suffocate the tiny apartment, making it feel even smaller than it already was. His cold gaze swept over the room like he owned not just the space but everything in it-her life included.

Behind him, a man who looked just as menacing stepped forward, his face scarred by the left jaw giving him a scarry and expressionless look. He had dark, dead eyes, the kind that had seen too much violence to care anymore. Alessia's heart pounded in her chest as she realized that whatever this was, it was serious and dangerous.

Dante stepped into the apartment, his expensive shoes tapping lightly on the worn, creaky floorboards. He didn't say a word at first, just stood there, taking in the state of the place, a smirk almost touching the corner of his lips as if it amused him.

When he finally spoke, his voice was cold as ice. "Where's Leo?"

The way he said her brother's name made Alessia's stomach flip. There was no warmth, no patience-just a demand, sharp and cutting.

"I... I don't know," Alessia stammered, her voice barely above a whisper as she struggled to keep the fear out of her eyes.

"Why are you looking for him?" She managed to ask.

Dante's gaze locked onto hers, and for a second, she forgot how to breathe. His eyes were as cold as his voice, and she felt exposed, vulnerable, like he could see right through her. He took a step closer, and it was like the temperature in the room dropped another few degrees.

"Marco" Dante called as the man who had been beside him took a step forward.

Marco's eyes never left her as he spoke, his voice low but filled with a calm menace that made her blood run cold. "Your brother made a mistake, Alessia."

A mistake? Alessia's throat tightened, her heart pounding in her ears. "W-What mistake?"

"He stole from us," Marco said, his voice devoid of any compassion or mercy. "Five million dollars. A very big mistake."

Alessia's world spun. Her legs felt weak, like they couldn't support her anymore, and she had to grip the edge of the door to steady herself.

"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "That can't be right. Leo wouldn't-he didn't-"

"He did," Marco interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "And now you're going to pay the price for his stupidity."

Before she could process what was happening, two other men who had been standing behind Dante stormed into the apartment, pushing past her like she wasn't even there. They began tearing through the small space, yanking open drawers, overturning furniture, searching for God knows what.

"Wait!" Alessia cried out, panic rising in her chest. She stepped forward, trying to stop them, but Marco's arm shot out, gripping her shoulder and holding her back with little effort. "What are you doing? You can't just-"

"We can," Marco said calmly, not even sparing her a glance. "And we will."

Alessia's heart raced, her eyes darting between the men who were ransacking her home and the cold, unmoving figure of Dante standing in the middle of it all.

"Please," she begged, "I don't know anything about this. I didn't know he stole from you. I don't even know where he is!"

Dante's eyes finally met hers again, but there was no sympathy there, only a chilling indifference. "That's not my problem."

His words hit her like a slap in the face. Not his problem? Five million dollars? Alessia could barely wrap her mind around that kind of money. Leo-how could Leo be so reckless? So stupid?

Just then the two other guys came out, but not alone, as they had dragged Isabella out.

"Mom, no, no, stop dragging-"

Isabella was thrown down like a log of wood before she could even compete her statement.

Marco leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a low, menacing whisper. "Your brother is in deep trouble, Alessia. And unless you want to be the one who pays for his mistakes, I suggest you find him."

Alessia's hands shook as she wrapped her arms around mom, her mind racing. "I... I can't pay that kind of money," she whispered, barely able to get the words out. "I don't have it."

"You have two days," Dante finally said, his voice cutting through the panic like a blade. "Two days to get the money, or we'll come back. And when we do, your brother won't be the only one we're looking for."

Her breath caught in her throat. Two days? How was she supposed to get five million dollars in two days? The money was huge. How could Leo steal from the Crimson's Empire and why such a huge amount. Money She knew she wouldn't earn in all her lifetime. Even if she sold herself away, would she worth even half of the money? She couldn't even pay her rent, let alone... This wasn't happening. It couldn't be happening.

"I can't-" she started, her voice shaking with desperation, but Dante wasn't interested in hearing excuses.

"I don't care what you can or can't do," he said coldly. "If the money isn't here in two days, you'll pay with more than just your tears."

"Please," Alessia begged, taking a step closer to Dante, her voice breaking. "I don't know where Leo is, but I'll find him. I'll get him to pay you back, I swear!"

Dante's expression didn't change. He looked at her the way someone might look at an insect-something insignificant, something beneath him. "That's your problem," he said, turning to leave. "Two days, Alessia. Don't make me come back cause I won't be this nice."

With that, he walked out of the apartment, his men following behind him. Marco was the last to leave, his eyes lingering on her for a moment longer, as if silently reminding her of the threat that had been made.

Then they were gone, and the apartment felt empty and cold, like all the air had been sucked out of it.

Alessia stood frozen in place, her arms still wrapped around Isabella who was already crying. Her heart pounding in her chest, her mind racing. Five million dollars. Two days. No Leo. She was completely, utterly screwed.

Her knees buckled, and she sank deeper into the floor, staring blankly at the mess they had left behind. How had her life spiraled so far out of control? Leo. This was all his fault. How could he do this to her? To their mother?

She buried her face in her hands, the weight of everything pressing down on her until she felt like she couldn't breathe. Tears burned at the back of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She couldn't afford to be weak. Not now. Not when everything was falling apart.

Her world had just collapsed, and there was no one to help her pick up the pieces.

Two days. She had two days to fix this and she had no idea where to even start.