My heart thuds, fast and loud. Adriano and Francesca, together with their men, are inside their cars that are parked at a distance from the Central Pavilion. Their watchful gazes are highly-focused on me and Marius as we walk towards the entrance of the building. “Hazel, I’m not happy you put yourself in this situation instead of just trusting me,” Marius says. I bite my tongue. Arguing with him won’t make our situation any better. Marius uses a specialized device to open the front door. Once we’re inside, he holds my hand as we both walk extremely carefully to avoid any motion-and-sound-activated cameras, sensors and alarms. We studied the floor design layout of this building, which was given to us by Adriano, last night. And that helps since we manage to smoothly get to our target location even though it’s quite dark. Using the number combination Adriano gave us, we open the huge vault and take out the painting. There must be someone associated with the Biennale Festival w
I’m carrying Marius and my third child! My happiness overflows, temporarily overshadowing all the worries and fears I’ve been battling against. This pregnancy is a sign that I shouldn’t be too stressed again. The thought of having another miscarriage is unbearable. However,... My happiness has to be constricted by the news flashing on the TV screen; The painting that we stole is now being searched by the authorities. The newscaster also mentions several VIP names who saw where the painting was kept after the auction,, and one of the names was the one I used on the fake ID. “Marius, I’m scared,” I whisper.Marius holds my hand, but it’s not enough to give me some comfort.“You have to make sure my wife and I won’t get caught,” Marius says to Francesca, who doesn’t look anxious at all.She says, “The faster I become The Boss, the faster you can get out of this country.”“It’s not just about getting out of Italy. My face is associated with that fake name,” I say in irritation.But F
I’m impressed that papa is able to find where we are by using only two pieces of information given to him by Marius - Francesca’s ID photo and the address of a hotel in Sierra Leone where Francesca’s fake documents and Marius’ passport were delivered. Papa instructs me to contact him once I’m home since Marius seems to be under surveillance all the time. After half a day of flight, papa’s private jet finally lands on US soil. In the airport, our bodyguards are waiting for my arrival, escorting me back to his mansion safely where I’m greeted by the two most wonderful beings in the world, Sammy and Archie. “Muh-mmy!” Sammy cries as he scampers towards my open arms. Tears cascade from my eyes as I embrace him tightly. Then I jog towards Archie, who’s giggling while in the arms of his babysitter. I carry him in one arm while securing Sammy in the other. I also shower them with kisses and ‘I love yous’. Sammy asks, “Wes duh-ddy?” I reply, trying my best to sound confident, “Daddy
MARIUS’ POV: Knowing that Hazel is with our sons now is such an immense relief I’ve not felt in what feels like an eternity. I’m forever in debt to dad for helping us get through such situations. And I won’t waste all of his efforts. I will, not only win against the Giordannos, but become one of the wealthiest and influential in the world. With that, no one will dare to endanger my family ever again! Even though the Italian authorities coordinate with dad to save Hazel, they refuse to interfere with our affair against Le Distruzioni, citing the dangers it may cause to their own lives and their families. Some may not admit it, but I’m pretty sure they’re being paid to protect that gang’s interest too. Dad and I go our separate ways for now. He checks into a highly-secured hotel room, heavily-guarded by his bodyguards plus several Italian police officers, while I drive towards Adriano’s estate all by myself. As soon as I hop down my car, Adriano’s gang members quickly point their g
It’s either Adriano or I will be The Boss. It’s either he cleaves to his gang or I develop it into something none has ever seen before. Inside an abandoned warehouse just outside Venice, I wait for Adriano’s arrival. Knowing he’ll be with what remains of his lapdogs, I bring with me dad’s and my own bodyguards. “Are you sure about this, Marius?” dad asks, concern evident in his gaze. I, too, am not confident if the outcome of this will favor me. But I have to give it a shot. “It’s the only way to stop whoever dares to come at me and my family again,” I reply unyieldingly. “For as long as there are people who think they can do better than I am, my family will never be safe.” All the dangers brought to us by Carter, Pierce, Mei Zhou, many more others, and now Adriano are all sealed in my memory and will never be forgotten. And I won’t allow another one like them to exist. I ask dad to go back to his hotel room since I don’t want to put his life in danger on what may happen here.
Adriano’s body isn’t found. Even so, I’ve managed to achieve something significant; I dismantled Le Distruzioni. Only a few of them have escaped, but the majority are either killed or captured by my men. According to them, the Giordanno’s estate has a secret underground room where they’re having their meetings and hiding the lists of their illegal activities and businesses. After we raid the estate and steal the blueprints and booklets of their gang’s sources of income, I send Adriano and Francesca’s mother to a mental institution, and free the women who brand themselves as Adriano’s slaves.. “What are you planning with those pieces of information?” dad asks, a hint of concern in his tone. Without hesitation, I respond, “I’m gonna make them all mine.” I create a team of bodyguards, and we travel to Sierra Leone. I speak with the mayor of Koidu City, who doesn’t seem to be surprised to know about the illegal mining site where many are forced to do labor without proper equip
Adriano can’t easily do what he pleases anymore compared to before. He has no resources, and lost most of his lapdogs. Still, I must remain vigilant about his threats by doubling the numbers of our bodyguards, and sending some to search for him and kill him. After my meeting with the software programmers, I find Hazel in the living area with two visitors I’ve not seen before. I hate seeing strangers inside dad’s home. But of course, I can’t complain, coz it’s not my home. Hazel glances at me when I kiss her cheek, then notices my quite unwelcoming aura towards her visitors. She acts as professionally as she can, smiling while asking me to sit down beside her. “They’re the party planners I hired,” she says. My brow furrows in confusion. “What for?” Hazel’s jaw drops, and so do the party planners’. Then, a mix of embarrassment and guilt courses through me when Hazel clarifies what I’m missing. “It’s Archie’s first birthday on Sunday.” I can’t believe I’ve forgotten my own son’s
ADRIANO’S POV: Hazel’s face emerges in my mind as I m.asturbate. Pleasure explodes through my body, especially in my pelvic area when I reach my climax. Breathlessly, I murmur, “You’ll be mine again.” I shouldn’t have been nice to that woman! I don’t know why, but I’ve never given any woman I find attractive a free pass for a wild s.ex. She’s the first. Maybe that’s why I’m l.usting after her until now. I step out of the bathroom, and put on my suit. I next visit mom in her room. The mental institution where Marius brought her refused to discharge her, but I insisted since I can’t let Marius decide her and my fate. Ever since Hazel has escaped, mom has become even worse than she was before. And I’m forced to have her tied up in her bed. I kiss her on the cheek, but she doesn’t dare glance at me. Her face is so pale, her eyes very swollen. “I’ll bring Francesca back to you soon. I promise,” I whisper, before heading towards the room downstairs where the remaining of my gang m