Alexandra Dellarosa POV Fabri didn't deem it fit or necessary to be the one to convey me down to the location of our date. I felt it was a little too rude of him when I hadn't heard anything from him a few minutes prior to the time I'd been told our little meeting would be holding. Only for one of his pawns to knock on the door and ask that I tag along carefully.I died a thousand times, over and over again knowing that this was his proud excuse for a courtesy gesture. I died a thousand times. I had thought that probably he'd been carried away with the setting up of the venue for the date, but that reason didn't seem too substantial to me. It was a silent drive down to the restaurant. The guy who'd accompanied me barely threw a word in my direction all the while. The only other feasible thing that sat between himself and I was the dromes of the classical music he'd been listening to. It tasted more like a sad Melancholic drama and I doubted with everything in me that it could get any
Alfredo Fabri POV The text message from earlier had kept me on my toes knowing that someone was out there watching my every move. I didn't understand how a text message could send such waves of shock, I'd thought we'd handled the matter in such a way that no one from the family could breathe a word about it to an outsider but evidently we had failed. I'd forced myself towards an unreasonable assumption that someone within was trying to ask smart. But I trusted the fold too much to think so lowly of them. Now don't get me wrong, I wasn't one to treat matters as these with a lot of sentiment, but I was certain that it'd take someone within to have such an audacious gut to try to go up against me. It wasn't pride but basic fact.The message had further succeeded in ruining my plans for the night, I'd thought about cancelling the little outing with Lex but I just couldn't bring myself to do that because the meeting meant so much to me, it felt as though it was that deciding fulcrum of t
Alexandra Dellarosa POV The restaurant was dimly lit for some reason, probably Fabri's already failed attempt at creating a romantic atmosphere. I was done and all I needed for closure was for him to define our relationship. I'd heard a voice behind me and it was a deep baritone, I'd prior to then preconceived that no one else asides Fabri was in here even though he didn't show his face as soon as I stepped into the room initially.“What do you want from me Fabri?” I questioned, facing his direction. The venom in my voice was enough to pass across the message that I was fed up with whatever he had going on, and I was no longer buying the crap he was selling. The Fabri I once knew was dead and remarkably now a shadow of himself.“Hmm” He sighed without saying another word. I watched him reply out of the darkness, the rcandles in the room had cast a thick shadow towards the direction where he stood such that I couldn't properly see him. Although I could make out his bold figure and his
Alfredo Fabri POV You see in this business you're either in or you're out. But the “out” in this case implies that you're no longer alive and far from the earthly realm. Getting into the world of organized crime is no child's play, and by virtue of swearing an OMERTÀ, an oath on the Saints, you're in for life. You never get out, never. But there was only ever one exception our little world had witnessed and that's in the case of Lorenzo Rizzo also known as “The Whisper”.He was once a Consigliere of the Lucchese Family and one of the best the streets of the Big Apple and beyond had ever known. He got information that were termed “classified” whenever he wanted to. He was at the top of his game back then, and was literally an asset to the Lucchese Family. It didn't come as a shock when the Family had a little resistance and hesitation in eliminating Lorenzo as soon as he declared his intent “out” of the family and “out” of the world of Organized Crime. They didn't know how to take the
Alexandra Dellarosa POV I was all alone, left to unravel the mysterious identity of the man I'd only just met, whose face I wasn't able to behold. From the look of things, he sure did have an aura to his personality not because his cologne lingered for much more than I'd expected, rather, his ability to remain composed irrespective of the fact that he'd played the role of a “stolen identity”. I was smart enough to know that whoever he was, would not have found his way to me if I'd not been affiliated with Fabri. But was that just a mere speculation? Was Fabri playing pranks just as he'd usually do when we were out on one of those numerous low budget couples outing.But I could still feel goosebumps all over me, it was so much and very evident to say that this had gone beyond the boundaries of some child's play. This was serious business and I didn't know the full on scope of what I'd gotten myself into. I made a mental note to tell “the real Fabri” about what had conspired between th
Alfredo Fabri POV They say you never get over your first love and I'm not one to stick to these kinds of things. But in that moment, when a pound of adrenaline rushed through my veins as I hurried briskly towards the door of the restaurant, there was no other plausible explanation other than the mere fact that I still had undeniable feelings for Lex, even after all these years.There were Silent Chapters to our story that I knew sooner or later would have to be revisited. That was one of the major reasons I'd asked her out on a date. I wanted to clear the air on some things. I hated the way I was feeling. I felt helpless, pitiable and pathetic, all of which were feelings which made me feel as though I were a weak Man. A quality that I was void of in all ramifications. Rizzo had boldy pulled the first trigger, and the only way to show that I'd gotten his message was to respond accordingly.I silently prayed that Lex was fine. I couldn't spot anyone on arriving at the lot of the restau
Alexandra Dellarosa POV We both were in the car and all I could think of was whether or not I should dail the number. I was conflicted between thoughts and although it hurt to me to see Fabri so unsure of himself, I knew it was the greater good. There were things Fabri weren't telling me and although I had only just returned into his life, I felt a little bit in the right to know some of these things. Fabri had not said any other word since he got into the car, and it seemed as though he was the least bothered about starting out a conversation. He had a lot going through his head, and I could tell.“So…” I trailed, trying to break the silence “Aren't you going to continue with your explanation?” I asked, trying to start out a conversation at least. It seemed as though they more I'd held myself from saying anything, the more I'd only give off the vibe that I knew something and I simply wasn't willing to share.“I've apologized already “ He said, his voice void of emotion. I didn't e
Alexandra Dellarosa’s POVI stared, answerless, as I held his buzzing phone in my grasp. He continued to try reaching for it as he drove, sending us moving in different directions as the steering deemed fit. I held it away and out the window, his eyes darkening at the unspoken threat. I looked at the device, buzzing in my hand at top speed, a few meters from the ground and reached for the power button to shut it down. With the phone turned off, I brought my hand back inside the car, throwing it in the car pocket beside my seat. I turned to him, tension palpable in the air. I mean, if anyone could read me, it would be him. I had to play extremely safe if I was going to hide this from him, which was proving incredibly difficult with his leg unrelenting from the gas pedal. His foot unrelenting, he drove on, not giving me a single glance. The car jolted forward, staying in that position as I watched, petrified. He continued to speed up, his eyes trained on the straight road before him, n
Alexandra Dellarosa's POV A soft knock pulled me from my reverie. It wasn’t loud, nor was it urgent, but it was enough to break the quiet stretch of time that had held me captive. The morning had been lazy, the kind that drifted on without purpose. I opened my eyes to find the bed beside me empty, the space where someone else might have been only a faint echo of its usual warmth. I sighed and rolled over, stretching, the movement lazy and reluctant. The house around me was still, quiet in that way it had when no one else was awake, and for a moment, I just lay there, listening to the soft hum of my own thoughts.There was nothing to do, or so it seemed. I had long ago given up on any particular plan for the day, instead filling it with whatever came to mind. It had become routine, almost comforting. A slow, steady routine that I didn’t question. I got up, shuffled to the bathroom, and began the motions of getting ready for nothing. I brushed my teeth, chose my clothes from a wardrobe
Alfredo Fabri's POV The cold air clung to my face, sharp and biting as I moved through the trees. The scent of damp earth and pine filled my lungs, grounding me even as my heart thundered in my chest. I kept low, boots brushing silently over leaves and broken twigs. The others were close, their figures flickering like shadows between the trunks.I gripped my knife tighter, the worn leather handle warm in my palm. Ahead, the faint glow of lanterns lit the clearing where the trucks were parked. Voices carried on the wind, low and careless. They thought they were alone out here.I smiled grimly.The first one spotted us — a wiry man with a rifle slung over his shoulder. His mouth opened, breath curling in the cold. I lunged before he could speak. My knife caught him just below the ribs, punching through his jacket and sinking deep. He let out a wet grunt, fingers clawing at my wrist as his legs buckled. I twisted the blade and felt the strength leave him.The gunfire started before his
Alfredo Fabri's POV The road stretched out ahead, winding through narrow streets and past shuttered shops. Buildings loomed on either side, dark windows reflecting faint glimmers from our headlights. The others trailed behind me, their cars following close enough that I could see the faint shapes of faces in the mirrors. The street stores began taking their wares in, the clouds promising a grave rain, turning the sky a dark colour. The weight in my chest grew heavier with each turn. Something felt wrong, though I could not yet put a name to it.We reached the outskirts of the city, where cobbled streets gave way to dirt roads and open fields. The air seemed colder out here, the wind sharper as it whistled through the trees. Giovanni muttered something from the backseat, but I barely heard him. My eyes were fixed on the road ahead.The first shot cracked through the night like a whip. Glass shattered and I barely had time to curse before the windshield sprayed across my chest. I slam
Alfredo Fabri's POV I threw on my jacket, pulling the fabric snug around my shoulders. The buttons slipped through their holes one by one, my fingers moving more from muscle memory than conscious thought. The air outside would be sharp this morning, biting at the skin, and I didn’t want to rush back just because I'd forgotten to dress properly. As I turned toward the door, I slowed my steps, glancing back at her one last time. She was still curled beneath the covers, her head nestled between her arm and a pillow that seemed to swallow half her face. The faintest rise and fall of her breath softened the room’s silence. She was beautiful, as always. The weight of her day had settled into her bones hours ago, and now she was still, wrapped in peace. I allowed myself a moment longer before easing the door shut behind me.The corridor outside was colder than I'd expected, the draft sneaking down from the vents along the ceiling. My boots struck the floor louder than I'd intended, and I a
Alexandra Dellarosa's POV I just stared at him from my spot on the door, my face twisting into a grimace. My brows furrowed, my lips curling in frustration. Was this all because I had said I wasn’t jealous? Seriously? I rolled my eyes, exhaling sharply as the realization finally dawned on me. So that’s what this was — a tantrum. Way to throw a fit, Fabri.It wasn’t even about jealousy. I knew that. I wasn’t jealous; I just cared about him. That was all. It wasn’t some petty possessiveness or insecurity, just genuine concern, the kind that sat heavy on your chest and lingered in your mind. But sure, twist it however you want. I rolled my eyes again, this time slower, the irritation settling deeper.Still, I knew I couldn’t leave things like this. With a sigh, I pushed myself off the door and walked toward the bed, bracing myself to apologize. The last thing I needed was another argument. Not now. Not when I’d finally managed to wrestle with my own emotions long enough to forgive him f
Alfredo Fabri's POV I smiled back at her lips, my gaze lingering a little too long, as if they held some unspoken promise. Without hesitation, I followed her up the stairs like a lost puppy, my thoughts consumed by her presence. Gina, once a sharp and persistent thought in the back of my mind, now felt like a fleeting whisper drowned out by the magnetic pull of the woman before me.The sound of the door clicking shut behind me felt louder than it should have, a sharp punctuation that seemed to close me off from the rest of the world. She stood in front of it, her back against the wood, her smile curling at the corners like smoke rising from a flame. There was something unsettling about it, yet I found myself unable to look away. My pulse quickened, a dull thud echoing in my ears.“Kiss me.”The words poured from her lips like silk, soft and smooth, yet heavy with intent. Each syllable seemed to hang in the air, wrapping around me like a warm breath against my skin. It wasn’t a reques
Alexandra Dellarosa's POVI got up slowly, feeling the stiffness in my limbs as though I were waking from a year-long slumber. Each movement was slow and deliberate, the dull ache spreading through my body like an unwelcome guest that refused to leave. My muscles throbbed, my joints cracked quietly, but I kept going — stretching my arms, rolling my neck, coaxing my body to life. It hurt, but I welcomed the pain. It felt grounding, something real to hold onto when everything else felt unsteady.I breathed in deeply, filling my lungs with the stale air of the room, air that had grown heavy and lifeless over the past few days. Turning toward the large curtains at the far end of the room, I walked over with careful steps. That small corner, tucked away in quiet isolation, had become more familiar to me than the bed I was meant to recover in. The window was my escape, my reminder that there was still a world outside, a world still spinning even as I lay trapped in my own silence.The thoug
Alfredo Fabri's POV I sat in her room, watching over her as she slept. The air was thick with silence, save for the faint rustle of the curtains shifting against the breeze. Roseville had left just moments ago, her presence lingering like the faint scent of her perfume. The room still carried an odd warmth from her fussing about, adjusting pillows, refilling water, reminding me repeatedly that Lex needed rest and nothing else.“She doesn’t need you hovering,” Roseville had added before leaving, her tone firm. “Just give her space.”But I couldn’t.I stayed in that chair, back stiff and muscles aching, unable to leave. Every few minutes I’d glance at her — Lex — studying the delicate rise and fall of her chest, half-convinced she might stop breathing if I looked away for too long. The purple bruising still lingered around her throat, an ugly reminder of what I’d done.My fault.The guilt gnawed at me, making me restless. I'd tried apologizing, muttered words, choked promises that I'd
Alexandra Dellarosa's POV My eyes fluttered open to reveal the room ceiling, pushing themselves closed almost immediately after. I felt a sharp pinch on my forearm, stretching to find a line, fluid running through it into my arm. Something felt cool against my forehead, like soft, damp cloth pressing gently to my skin. My throat ached, raw and tight, and breathing felt like dragging air through broken glass. My body felt weak, almost like I’d been wrung out, every limb heavy and useless.The room swam in and out of focus, the ceiling blurring again, the faint flicker of a lamp making shadows dance along the walls. My head throbbed, and my chest burned with each breath.“You’re awake,” a soft voice whispered.I turned my head slightly, looking in the direction of the voice, just enough to see Roseville sitting beside me, her face lined with worry. She was holding the cloth, her hand steady despite the concern written across her features.“Don’t try to move. It'll only hurt more. You'v