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Chapter 34
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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.
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 39
The loud shrill of my phone woke me up and I knew it was too early for it to be my alarm. I had a very late night yesterday and I would appreciate as many sleep as I could get. I stood up groggily to the dressing table side where my phone was lying. The caller ID showed Russo and I sighed before swiping my hands over the call button. “Good morning, Russo, how are you?” I called out as soon as he picked and from the tone of his voice, it looks like he woke up quite early. I wonder if he hired anybody else to take my place at the office. Or if he’s going to be sleeping with her too. I halt my wandering trail of thoughts, whatever Russo does with his personal life should be none of my business, I am out here gathering real information for my mission and that’s all that should matter.“It’s way past morning butterfly, apparently someone didn’t get enough sleep.” He replied and I sighed again, this time loudly so he could her. I would appreciate if i’m given the instructions early so I c
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 40
The atmosphere inside the club was thick with tension as we sat, anxiously awaiting Russo's arrival. It was an unusually quiet afternoon, the hushed conversations of the club workers betraying their collective unease. We knew something was amiss, and the anticipation hung heavily in the air.Ever since the news of those men getting picked up by the FBI has reached the club, everyone has been walking on eggshells. Russo didn;t return any of my calls and judging by the way everyone was scared, I knew this was an extreme thing. He had texted me earlier this orning to wait for him in the main club building this morning an dhe would be there by morning, getting down i met the rest of the guys waiting for me. Apparently, they had all gotten the same calls from Russo, I hated how much fear was dominating me. For the first time, I didn't know what the man could do. The rest of the guys weren’t even talking to me and everyone looked lost in their own thoughts. Russo finally swept into the r
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 41
I walked down the stairs from my quarters, silently humming a rhyme and I watched the way everyone was moving around swiftly. Russo’s visit had done a number on everyone and I still have no idea what happened to them. I was so relieved to see nobody was missing and imagine my joy when I saw Maya, but instead she was avoiding me. I tried to get her alone in a corner multiple times but she seemed to know how to evade me, same as majority of everyone I manage. Most times I try to not let it get to me but it was hard. They were avoiding me and they were doing their possible best to make sure I can’t access them too. I think it’s because Russo excluded me from the punishment and I still feel irritated because I’m the reason most of them remained in this club. After the night Russo arrived, he had come upstairs to meet me with a list of everyone and asked me to pick out the people i wanted him to fire and people I wanted him to retain. I didn’t know I would tell him that they were all i
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 42
I sat in my room, thinking about everything that had been happening lately. The club was busier than ever, and my life had taken a turn I never could have expected. It was during one of those quiet moments that my phone rang, and I saw an unfamiliar number on the screen.I answered the call, and a voice on the other end introduced themselves as an agent from the FBI. I had worked with the FBI on some missions in the past, so I knew this wasn't a regular call.The agent explained that they had some information about Stephan's daughter, Aliyah. My heart skipped a beat. I had seen the pain in Stephan's eyes when he had talked about his missing daughter. The agent told me that Aliyah was living with an old white couple who had adopted her. They had managed to track her down.I knew I couldn't keep this information from Stephan. He had the right to know where his daughter was and if she was safe. But at the same time, I couldn't reveal that the FBI had given me this information. So, I deci
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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
