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Chapter 30
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Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 31
The atmosphere at the office had shifted, growing heavy with an unspoken tension. It had been days since Russo had come to my room, and his cold indifference weighed on me like a stone in my chest. It was as if a wall had risen between us, one that I couldn't scale, no matter how hard I tried. I tried talking to him once and the reaction was something I wouldn’t want to ever experience again, it was something I couldn’t mention. I hated how it dictated my entire mood for the whole day. Somehow protecting Romero had cost me my relationship with Russo, now I can’t take back my words and I’m back to being treated like an outsider. At work, Russo's behavior was even more disconcerting. He no longer lingered by my side, didn't seek out those moments of solitude we had shared. His replies to my inquiries were curt, and his gaze barely met mine. He wasn’t even interested in whatever I was working on. Each day, his distance became more pronounced, and the sinking feeling that I was losing
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 32
The night air was vibrant with life as I stood at the entrance of the club, my pulse quickening with anticipation. I had heard stories about this new club and the people in the mansion won’t stop talking about it. That was part of what made me even more excited to be starting here. Russo stood beside me, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Welcome to The Velvet Pleasures, Alissa."The club's name was fitting. From the outside, it had appeared unassuming, but as the doors swung open, a world of decadence and allure revealed itself. The dimly lit entrance gave way to a spacious expanse, alive with throbbing music, flashing lights, and bodies moving to the rhythm. The scent of cocktails and perfume hung in the air, promising an unforgettable night.Russo took my hand, and I followed him inside, the bass of the music reverberating through my chest. The club was an orchestra of sights and sounds, a symphony of the senses, and I couldn't help but be mesmerized.Russo led me through the cro
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 33
The Friday morning sun bathed the club's surroundings in a warm, inviting light. As I walked alongside Russo, the scent of fresh coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the distant hum of city life. It was a rare and tranquil moment amid the bustling, clandestine world we inhabited.Russo's presence at my side was both reassuring and enigmatic, a constant reminder of the secrets that surrounded us. As we strolled through the club's exterior, his gaze scanned the premises, taking in every detail with a discerning eye.The Velvet Pleasure was truly everything and more, This was my frist time being behind the scenes of a club like this and for the first time, I want to prove Russo right, I want him to be proud of putting me in this position. Finally, he turned to me, his expression serious. "Alissa, I have to travel for work. I'll be away for a while, and I'll be very absent from here."His unspoken words hung in the air, a solemn reminder of the responsibility that was about to be
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 34
Getting used to the running of this place takes time; I would give myself more credit for pulling it off. The majority of the men here thought that when the club launched, Russo would be handing it to them on a golden platter but nobody was prepared for my coming. Sometimes it makes me feel like I was sent here to be set up; maybe Russo was starting to have doubts about me.Other times, I try not to think about it at all and just do the job. I make sure to keep my ears on the ground for chatter that might be useful for the FBI. I also make sure to be very present so my workers don't think I’m too bossy.Last Wednesday, I was in the dressing room with the girls and we were having conversations. My heart was breaking for some of them but I couldn’t let it show. I asked them what changes they would want and I wrote them down. They didn’t have a problem with the payments and I was grateful Russo wasn’t exploiting them. He was paying them fairly, and they were happy to work here.The male
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 35
I stood in the shadows, my senses heightened, and the tension in the air was palpable. I was waiting for Russo’s trusted friends to arrive through this entrance so I could lead them to the velvety room where the order of the day was waiting. Something about who they were scared me, I have gotten used to the idea of not asking questions and not probing further, I needed Russo’s trust more than ever. I recognized them immediately as they entered: seven men who moved with quiet, unassuming confidence. I could never forget these faces, for they have a space on the FBI Most Wanted list. They were the central pillars of the La Sombra Negra cartel. The black shadow cartel. A sense of déjà vu washed over me, for I had crossed paths with these men three years ago in a sting operation, an operation that had ended with one of their own death. Victor Vargas died by my bullet. They were unaware of my identity, their memories and mine diverging as swiftly as a river branching into separate tributa
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 36
The warmth of the sun's embrace seemed to whisper promises of a new day, a fresh start. I stretched beneath the cozy duvet, savoring the serenity accompanying those precious moments between slumber and wakefulness. I was tired and I felt like going back to sleep, but The velvet pleasures won’t manage itself. Russo put me in charge for a reason and I won’t disappoint him. My senses slowly returned, I felt something that sent a shock of alarm coursing through me. A presence in the room, an unseen observer. My heart pounded, and I carefully opened my eyes, pretending to remain asleep, hoping to glimpse the intruder without revealing my awareness.And then I saw him. Russo, standing at the foot of my bed, watching me with an amused twinkle in his eyes. I gasped, sitting up abruptly, a jolt of fear coursing through me. "Russo!" I exclaimed, my voice a mixture of surprise and reproach. "You scared the life out of me!"I wasn’t expecting him here today or if he was coming he would have cal
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 37
Supervising the shipment offloading, my attention was divided between the careful unloading process and maintaining the safety of the precious cargo. I had spent the last night in Russo’s arms and that seemed to take away all the previous stress of the past week from my body. The atmosphere in the underground storage area was tense, the echo of footsteps and the clinking of metal barrels filling the air.Stephan, my assistant in overseeing the club's operations, was beside me, his normally stoic expression giving way to a subtle vulnerability as he stared at something on his phone. Curiosity piqued, I couldn't help but glance in his direction. I walked to his side but he didn’t notice me coming. A picture of a baby girl adorned the screen, a child with the same captivating blue eyes as Stephan. His gaze was filled with a mix of longing and sorrow as he gazed upon the image. It was a sight so out of place within the dimly lit storage area, it begged a question."Is that your daught
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 38
I hurried down from the quarters; I had overslept again and I needed to fix that desperately. I head to the espresso machine before pouring myself a shot; at least that should be enough to keep me going for the entire day.Things are pretty normal around here; there is no new chatter and definitely no new shipment. It was almost like Russo was warned about doing shady business here for now. If he was warned, then I wasn’t informed. I was taking my usual round before business opens in the evening; today is Friday and it only meant loud music till dawn and, of course, working overtime.I am yet to hear back from the FBI regarding the new information I uploaded and I haven't bothered checking back in with them. I knew if they found anything related to Stephan’s daughter, I would be contacted. I just wanted them to find her, not rescue her, because that would raise suspicions. I was just trying to get into Stephan’s good books. I would hate to have him looking over my shoulder every time.
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Playing the Devil's Game Epilogue
The azure waters of the Aegean Sea stretched endlessly before us, each wave whispering tales of the timeless beauty that surrounded our haven. The Grecian sun, a molten orb in the cerulean sky, cast a golden glow over the whitewashed walls of our secluded vacation home. I had orchestrated this idyllic retreat, a sanctuary where the echoes of our love story would harmonize with the serenity of the landscape.The villa, nestled on a hillside, offered panoramic views of the sea, a canvas painted in hues of sapphire and emerald. Every detail had been meticulously arranged—a testament to my desire to create a moment etched in the tapestry of our shared history.Chloe, unaware of the orchestration unfolding around her, marveled at the beauty of the surroundings. As she strolled through the manicured garden adorned with vibrant bougainvillea, a breathtaking panorama unfolded before her. A private table, adorned with fresh flowers and delicate candlelight, awaited us on the terrace, overlooki
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 85
The room felt heavy with an unsaid tension as Russo's eyes locked onto mine. His question was simple, yet it echoed loudly in the silence, "Are you going to scream?" A myriad of emotions swirled within me, leaving me speechless in the wake of this unexpected encounter.I shook my head very fast, I have zero intentions to scream and knowing Russo, he wasn’t here to hurt me. I wondered how he tracked me down to this pace, but i guess I wasn’t that hard to find. I wasn’t really bothered about hiding my location, and even now, I still don’t care. With a nod from him, the grip on my wrists eased, granting me freedom. In that moment, I anticipated anger or retribution for my betrayal. To my surprise, Russo's gaze remained steady, studying me as if decoding a complex message. The air hung thick with the weight of our shared history and the choices that had led us to this crucial moment.Struggling to find my voice, I began to apologize, the words spilling out in a desperate attempt to conve
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 84
The coastal town had transformed into my safe haven, a place where the crashing waves played a soothing symphony in tune with my solitude. Tranquil days extended into weeks, each sunset delivering a sense of peace that had long evaded me. Despite the calm, the echoes of my past refused to fade away.The constant buzzing of my phone disrupted the peace of my coastal retreat. Mike's persistent attempts to contact me forced a change of numbers, a desperate measure to shield myself from the shadows of my previous life. Medea had expressed concern in a call, but I insisted on isolation. The need for distance, both physical and emotional, propelled me to this picturesque coastal town.The local animal shelter stood like a beacon of hope, offering a sanctuary for abandoned souls seeking refuge. My decision to adopt a dog stemmed from a longing for companionship, an acknowledgment that I couldn't face the echoes of my past alone.Upon entering the shelter, the air was filled with a mix of bar
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 83
As I entered my flat, the weight of the decisions I had made sat heavy on my shoulders. The sound of the door closing brought to my attention the emptiness that appeared all around me, serving as a continual reminder of the choices that brought me to this isolated location.The evening progressed, and it turned out to be a very unpleasant experience. It seemed as though each passing second was a march towards a daybreak that did not provide any assistance. I was unable to fall asleep, and the shadows that were cast on the walls seemed to make fun of the fragmented reality that I was confined in.Even the dawn did not bring any solace. On the contrary, the consequences of my treachery were followed with a sickening malaise. This morning, I made a conscious effort to walk to work, avoiding every regular route that I typically use. The experience of ascending the stairs to get to work has never been so taxing. It was as if I had returned to my own reality, and the world had obviously mov
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 82
There was a heavy sense of expectancy in the air, and the tension in this room had been in a chokehold that was gradually released. As we watched the covert drama that was taking place on the TV in front of us, Medea stood next to me, remaining mute as she watched it. The bait had been accepted by Russo, despite the fact that I had prayed to the universe countless times that he would not. With his knowledge, it is likely that he would arrive by himself and not even notify Romero about it. The FBI will not kill him, which is a relief; nonetheless, the most unfortunate aspect is that he was present during this treachery. When I was writing the report, I would have preferred not to stare into his eyes; but, the honorable thing for me to do was to cuff him personally. This was my way of letting the director know that I had completed the responsibilities of the job. I was on my way to being promoted, and it was likely that I would be transferred away from this state once all of these thi
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 81
Although I was able to hear the faint echoes of laughing and glasses being clinked, I was unable to pick up on the lively energy that was there at the after-party. In spite of the shifting shadows and weak lights, I examined the whole area in an effort to locate the recognizable shape of Alissa. All the same, she remained evasive, like a ghost in the middle of the celebration.There is a good chance that she is in this area, on my side, and not too far away from me. I have been doing all in my power to alleviate the tension that exists between us, and I have been doing an excellent job of handling it. Even if there is a small voice in my brain that continues arguing back, at least I am aware that she will not be leaving me any time soon. As I turned to face Romero, you could see lines of confusion etched over my forehead. "Have you seen Alissa?"The short hesitance that was obscuring his countenance caused his eyes to waver somewhat. "Yeah, she has been gone for that long. It was st
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 80
The day of the celebration was jam-packed with activities. Russo entrusted me with the organization of things since he needed to focus on his company. As I moved from one position to the next, I oversaw the completion of all of Russo's requests. Romero, who never wavered in his allegiance, was a tremendous assistance to me in comprehending the complex interplay between mob politics and societal norms.As time went on, Romero instructed me to get ready and urged me to depart. He told her, "Alissa, everything's set here," and he meant it.I am grateful that we were given a break. I took a moment to reflect on my appearance in the serene dressing room mirror. A tumult of conflicting emotions erupted as a result of the weight of my obligations, the directives from the FBI, and the conversation I had to have with Russo.I paused for a few seconds, tears streaming down my cheeks. The strain of balancing my two lives was beginning to take its toll, and the powerful image I had constructed wa
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 79
My mind kept going back to the premeditated kidnapping that took place earlier in the day despite the fact that the day was fraught with chaos. Russo came into my life at a time when I was trying to unravel the falsehoods and deceptions, bringing with him a force that sliced through the gloom."Alissa!" he exclaimed, the joy in his eyes clearly seen in his expression. "I have something amazing to tell you."I remembered the convoluted past that we had together and stared at him with wary fascination as I recalled it. "What is it, Russo?"He talked with much zeal. I'm putting up a charity ball, which is a major event to generate money for pediatric surgical procedures. Alissa, just think of the people whose lives we could impact.The honesty with which he expressed himself weakened some of my resolve. "That's a good cause, Russo."After gazing directly at me, he gave me a nod. "Also, I'd want to ask you out on a date, Alissa. If we work together, we have the potential to make a signifi
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 78
The air in the room was thick with unspoken words, creating a heavy atmosphere. Russo's determination to break through the tension was evident, and I could feel it lingering. He gazed at me, a glimmer of resolution in his eyes.I wnated to get out of here and I wnated to stay at the same time. It was a wild feeling and i ahd no idea where it was leading me to at this point. "Alissa," he broke the silence that enveloped us, "how about I handle dinner tonight? You've been dealing with a lot, and I thought a break might be good for us."I sighed, grateful for his attempt to bring comfort through the simple act of cooking. "I really don't feel like cooking, Russo. It's been a long day."I hoped that would deter him from speaking firther, but that only gave me odd ideas. I was tired, and I needed to catch a break already. A mischievous smile played on his lips. "That's perfect, then. Because I'm the chef tonight. I have a special recipe in mind—one you've never tried before."His enthusi
