Ricardo’s POV Angelo leans forward. “Mr. Inzaghi, believe us. Your name was heard by all thirty-five girls. When we made calls to you, when some of the men we hired spoke about you—trust me, sir, they heard it.” I study Inzaghi’s expression carefully. The old man is dangerous, more than people give him credit for. He’s seventy-three, but the years haven’t dulled his instincts. He listens to Angelo more than anyone else, which is why I let him do most of the talking. If we have any chance of getting out of this unscathed, it’s through him. Angelo doesn’t hesitate. He knows hesitation is a death sentence in a room like this. “Think about it, sir. Even if it was our plan to implicate you, you have the senator on your payroll. If we had paid him to have his daughter testify against you, don’t you think you would’ve been the first to know?” Inzaghi’s exhales through his nose, and his fingers tap against the table. “Perhaps you could’ve paid him more than I did.” I let out a short
Ricardo’s POV I am awake before Lana. She’s still tangled in the sheets, with her bare back exposed, and her dark hair spilling across the pillows. The room smells like sex, but that’s not what lingers in my mind. Last night was different. I lasted longer than usual; not by much, but enough to notice. That’s why I am intoxicated by her. Lana knows how to make it last. Unlike Antonella or any of the other hoes I’ve fucked. But I’d never tell her that. My pride is too big for that. I adjust my tie in the mirror. I’ve already showered, already dressed, and I’m leaving. I hear a slow rustle behind me. Lana stirs awake. She blinks at me, still groggy, then sits up slightly with the sheets slipping lower down her chest. “Where are you going?” Her voice is husky with sleep. I don’t bother looking at her. “I don’t recall needing a chaperone.” She sighs, rubbing her temple. “I’m not trying to keep tabs on you. I just want to know. Being left alone in a house like this…” Her fin
Alma’s POV Guilt is a slow poison, one that finds its way into your conscience and spreads like wildfire.I feel it now, aching in my chest as I speed through the city, heading to Charles’ condo. My hands grip the wheel so tight, no amount of tension can undo what I’ve done.I gave Lana’s location away. She probably has no idea. None at all. She trusts me, I am her best friend and confidant. And I handed her over to him. Like a fucking Judas.It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I didn’t want to betray her. But I had no choice. Ricardo gave me no choice. If I hadn’t told him where she was, he would’ve killed me and my mother instead. And I couldn’t let that happen.I try to convince myself that Lana will be fine. That she’s strong. That she’ll find a way to get through whatever hell Ricardo has planned for her. But the image of her frightened eyes, the way she once told me she never wanted to be with these men Charles forces her to sleep with, it haunted me.My only consolation is th
Richard’s POV The moment I step into my mansion, I feel it; the storm brewing, waiting for me. Antonella stands in the middle of the room, with her arms folded, and fire burning in her eyes. She’s not holding Isabella this time, which means she has both hands free to throw at me if she gets reckless enough. Not that I’d let her. “Where the hell were you last night?” she seethes. “I waited for you, Ricardo. Even if you told me you weren’t coming I still waited like a fucking idiot. I waited for you to come home, but you never did!” I exhale, dragging a hand down my face. I do not have the patience for this. Not today. Not ever. I don’t stop walking. I don’t even look at her. I shrug off my jacket, tossing it onto the couch, ignoring the accusations flying at my back. “Where the fuck where you last night Ric?!” She yells, stepping into my path with her small frame. I brush past her, making my way towards the stairs. I’m done here. She steps in front of me again, blocking
Richard’s POV I need to get the fuck out of here. My hands are still shaking from the argument, and my jaw is aching from how hard I’ve been clenching it. Antonella started this shit. She pushed and pushed until I snapped. Now my daughter looks at me like I’m a monster. Like I’m the reason her mother is crying. Maybe I fucking am. I storm down to my wine cellar to grab my favorite whiskey—the one I only touch on special occasions. Apparently, my wife reminding me what a fucking failure I am counts. I don’t bother with a glass. I take a deep swig straight from the bottle.I need to fuck this anger away. And I know exactly where to go. I take my jacket from the chair I tossed it onto earlier.“Get the car ready, we’re leaving.” I bark at my driver as I step outside. “Take me to the other house.” The secret mansion. The place only a few know about. And the place where Lana is. As we drive, my thoughts spiral. I remember my last words to her. “Women like you don’t get to
Richard’s POV The walls take the bullet, not her. Never her.But Lana doesn’t know that. Not in the moment. Her whole body flinches, and her hands trembles as she presses herself further against the wall. Her breathing is ragged, and her chest is rising and falling like she can’t get enough air. Then the tears come, slipping down her cheeks, and I know, I fucking know she thinks I almost killed her and I don’t like it. Not the tears, not the way she shakes, not the way her lips tremble when she whispers, "Please don’t shoot again. I’ll dance, I’ll dance for you."A part of me is sickened by it. I don’t want her to do it because she’s scared. I want her to do it because she wants to, because she craves my attention, my control. But this isn’t what I wanted.I drag a hand over my face, rubbing my temples. "Stop crying, Lana."But she doesn’t. Her whimpers bothers me and I hate that it does. I step towards her, and she flinches. That makes me stop. Not because I’m afraid of what I’ll
Charles’s POV Lana is gone. Vanished into thin air, like she never existed. I’ve turned over every rock, searched every lead, and I still have nothing. It’s like she disappeared off the face of the earth. I lean back in my chair, rubbing my temples. I can’t keep obsessing over this. Days have passed, and I’m no closer to finding her. My job, my entire career has been slipping through my fingers while I’ve been chasing a ghost. My office, once buzzing with fresh cases and new assignments, has gone silent. Nothing from my superior, Martin. No major investigations landing on my desk. It’s as if I don’t exist. Is it because they don’t believe in me anymore? Or is it something more sinister? The Borrellis… the Inzaghis… Those two families have their claws in everything. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had a hand in this, keeping me sidelined, making sure I stay out of their business. That won’t happen. If I can’t find Lana, then I’ll do the next best thing; I’ll bring those
Ricardo’s POVThe Wet n’ Wild club. Inside, I hear music and see bodies moving together under flashing neon lights. It’s the kind of place where power and indulgence collide, where men with too much money spend it on women who pretend to love them. And it belongs to Bianca Luigi. A woman of class and style. On the surface, she’s the epitome of elegance, the kind who dines with politicians and graces the covers of luxury magazines. But beneath that exterior, she’s just like the rest of us, doing dirty business in the shadows. I step inside, and within seconds, she spots me. From across the room, her hazel eyes meet mine with a smirk on her lips. She doesn’t wave or call me over, she just tilts her head slightly. I cross the room, brushing past barely clothed women, businessmen, and men who think they own the world simply because they paid for a table. Bianca remains seated, wearing an emerald silk dress that clings to her like it was made for her body alone. “To what do I owe t
Ricardo’s POVThe moment I step through the front doors of my mansion, I hear small noises, and the place is properly lit. Then, a soft pitter-patter races down the hallway.“Papà!”Gianna’s voice rings out before I even see her. She comes flying into my arms like a bullet wrapped in pink silk pajamas. I crouch slightly, catching her mid-air, lifting her high above my head.“There’s my Gianna,” I say, twirling her once.Her laughter fills the foyer, and for a brief second, everything ugly fades away. I pull her close, hugging her tight.Antonella watches from the archway, with her arms crossed, and her brows arched like daggers. She scoffs under her breath, loud enough to make her presence known.Then, the grandfather clock chimes eight times. “Alright, baby,” Antonella says, brushing invisible lint from her sleeve. “Bedtime. Off you go with Rosa.”Gianna’s face falls. “But I don’t wanna go to bed early…”I kneel slightly and smooth her hair back. “Oh, sweetheart,” I say gently. “I un
Charles' POVI toss my keys onto the marble counter and walk straight to the bedroom, not even bothering to take off my shoes. My body feels like deadweight, but it’s not just physical exhaustion, it’s everything else.Alma didn’t follow me back to the condo. I didn’t ask her to. She wouldn’t understand anyway. Not this.I drop onto the bed, with limbs heavy with fatigue, and my back flat against the mattress. The ceiling above me stares back blankly, just as silent as the thoughts swirling in my head. I can't stop replaying it, Lana. Her face when she looked at me. The embarrassment, fear and shame in her eyes. I need to get her out of that monster’s grip.No one would get it. Not Alma, no one. Only I know why I need to get Lana away from that monster. And it’s not even about her being my secret weapon. That bastard touched my tail the day he had me suspended from the force and smeared my name. He thought he won. But he hasn’t.I close my eyes. No—he won’t.I’ll get Lana back. I’ll
Ricardo’s POVThe private restaurant’s half-empty. I spot Angelo tucked in the far corner, already seated with a half-full glass of red wine in front of him. His shoulders are relaxed, too relaxed, which tells me something's up. I slide into the seat across from him and clear my throat. “What’s the matter?” Angelo raises a brow and smirks sarcastically. “Hello, brother. Thank you for asking how I’m doing this fine afternoon. I’m great, how are you doing?” I chuckle. “Oh, come on, Angelo. We just saw each other in Mexico. Do you really need me to roll out the pleasantries every time?” He shrugs and mutters, “No, but you could stop acting like the world’s ending every time we meet.” I shake my head. “Oh come on brother, isn’t the world already ending?” I give him a smirk, then I continue. “What’s the matter?” Angelo takes a slow sip from his glass before setting it down. “You remember that guy I told you about? The one that’s been following me?” “Yeah,” I nod. “You finally
Ricardo’s POVI finally get myself together. The dull pain in my groin reminds me that Antonella has no limits when she’s pissed. I straighten my blazer, wipe the corner of my mouth with my thumb, and step out of the car.I step through the front doors, and the first sight that greets me isn’t one I expect. Antonella is seated on the couch, holding Isabella in her arms; our youngest, sleeping peacefully like she has no idea her parents are inches away from destruction.Beside her stands the maid, looking awkward as hell, and across the room, standing near the staircase, is Gianna. My Gigi.She doesn’t run to me. Doesn’t smile. Doesn’t light up like she usually does. She just stares at me with those big eyes like she’s looking at a complete stranger.Something inside me snaps quietly. Antonella’s eyes find mine, and her stare says everything. Of course. Of course this is happening. Of course my daughter looks at me like she doesn’t know me.Antonella’s gaze is full of disdain, a silent
Angelo’s POVThe warehouse smells like rust and old blood. It always does. This is the same warehouse where I kept the guy who murdered our loan shark. Back when he was crying about keeping all his fingers. I step inside to see him already waiting, shifting on his feet like he is standing on hot coals. He gives a weak smile when he sees me, then straightens up and puffs out his chest like it would help.“Mr. Angelo,” he says,with his hands twitching nervously. “I—uh—I did what you said.”I cross my arms. “Go on.”He pulls a folder from his coat and hands it over. “You asked me to multiply by five half of the 570 million. I turned that into 855 million.”I flip through the file. Numbers, transfers, dummy corporations. The man has done his homework. I whistle low. “You tripled it.”He nods whilst swallowing hard. “Yes, sir. I—uh—wanted to impress you.”I look up, smirking. “You did good, man. But it’s not enough.”His face drops like I had slapped him. “I—I know. I know,” he stammers.
Charles’s POVWe’re in the car, heading to the airport. My thoughts have been looping, clawing at the same image. Lana with Ricardo Borrelli, dressed like a slut.Alma speaks first. “I still can’t believe you saw Lana with Ricardo.”I shake my head. “I still can’t believe it myself. A part of me hates myself, Alma. For being so fucking lackadaisical in the search for her. I should’ve put in more effort. I should’ve known she was with the enemy.”Alma reaches across the seat and rubs my shoulder gently, like I’m some wounded animal. “It’s not your fault. You wouldn’t have known. No one would have guessed.”I lean into the headrest, staring out at the traffic like it’ll give me answers. “I should’ve. You know, if Davida’s men hadn’t screwed up, if those bullets had gone through that door like they were supposed to, Lana would’ve been dead. Gone. And I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”“But she’s not,” Alma says quickly. “She’s alive.”“You don’t get it,” I snap. “And I’m not ready
Angelo’s POVThe next morning, Lana and I drive in silence. The kind of silence that isn’t peaceful, just filled with everything neither of us wants to say first.I keep my eyes on the road. The jet isn’t far now. Twenty minutes, give or take. After that, I don’t know what comes next. Hell, maybe I don’t want to.She is the one to break it, the silence. Of course she is.“What are you gonna do?” Her voice is soft.I don’t answer.“What’s your brother planning?”I suck my teeth, annoyed, and keep my eyes forward. She doesn’t back down.“Please, Angelo,” she says, “tell me. I heard him last night, talking to that cop guy—Charles. He told him to let Señor Davida know he owes him. And he wasn’t talking about money.”Still, I say nothing. Her voice is starting to grate, and not because it is loud but because it is right.“You already know what he’s gonna do,” I mutter.“No,” she says firmly, “I don’t.”I tighten my grip on the wheel. “He’s going to kill someone.”The car goes even quieter,
Charles’s POVAs I walk through the foyer of Señor Davida’s mansion, my mind is on a spiral. My hands clench at my sides, and my jaw aches from how tight I’m holding it. Lana’s alive.All this time, she’s alive and well. And Ricardo fucking Borrelli has her. After all this time, the worry, the guilt… she’s been alive. For months. Months that I could’ve had her back. Months that that bastard Ricardo Borrelli had her.I feel sick. I don’t even want to imagine what he’s done to her. He’s got her dressed up like a slut, parading her around like a possession, calling her his slut like she’s nothing more than a goddamn toy.That image of Ricardo touching her, owning her, breaking her, it makes me want to kill something. I wonder how many times Ricardo has fucked her. How many times he’s laid claim to what was never his to take.I am pissed. How the fuck did Ricardo get his hands on Lana? There was no way, no fucking way, Ricardo could’ve linked Lana to what happened to him. I was careful. I
Lana’s POVCharles still has his eyes on me. The disbelief on his face is unmistakable, like he’s trying to piece together whether I’m real or some cruel trick his mind is playing on him.I snivel as I quickly dry the tears from my eyes and look away, willing myself to appear unaffected. I can't afford to let Ricardo see me like this.But Ricardo notices. He notices everything. His eyes flick from me to Charles, studying the way Charles is looking at me. He turns to face me, then back to Charles, and I see the suspicion in his eyes. "Angelo," Ricardo calls out. "Can you take Antonella back to the car and drive her to the hotel?” Antonella’s brows knit together in confusion. "You’re not coming?" Ricardo’s voice turns cold. "Someone tried to assassinate us tonight, honey. I’m coming, just not right away." She hesitates for a moment, then sighs before leaning in and kissing him on his lips. It’s the second time tonight I’ve seen them kiss, and even though I refuse to acknowledge