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Chapter 52
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Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 53
After such a challenging and dramatic journey, Russo and I had at last arrived at a tentative cease-fire understanding with one another. In spite of the fact that the wounds from the past were still very fresh, there was still a possibility that we may have a future together, and the fact that this possibility existed was a glimmer of hope that we were unable to ignore. The weight of our shared history put a strain on both of us, but as the sun began to drop, we recognized it was time to leave the past in the rearview mirror and focus on the here and now.We found ourselves in the bedroom, which was only dimly lit, and the air was thick with anxiety and a sense of desperation all around us. Our eyes met in a silent interaction that said volumes about the sentiments that we were both harboring but were unable to say. Our eyes met in a way that told volumes about the feelings that we were both harboring. My eyes had a glimmer of forgiveness, but Russo's were filled with a mix of desire
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 54
The lavish party that was held for the city's wealthiest and most influential leaders was an event that brought together a large number of significant individuals. The opulent location, which was decked up with crystal chandeliers and other luxurious touches of décor, served as a reflection of the expensive nature of the event that was being held there. Russo and I were there because we had been invited, and as soon as we walked into the room, everyone began muttering and staring at us with appreciative expressions on their faces.At the beginning of the party, the guests were already mingling with one another and engaging in animated conversation while sipping their beverages. At this lavish venue, a gathering of society's most famous personalities had taken place, and the dynamic and pulsating energy that was present in the atmosphere was a direct reflection of this fact.I felt at peace as I made my way through the crowd, the pressures of the past being nothing more than a distant
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 55
After I had another shot of cocktail, Russo broke away from the conversation he was having with his friends and made his way towards me. The party was fun, and it was beginning to take on the feel that I like for a good time. He had to step away from me for a little while in order to discuss business with a few other individuals, and as soon as he was out of earshot, I made my way over to where the alcoholic beverages were being sold. I didn't drink much outside before tonight, but now that I have, there's a sense of liberation all around me, and I adore it. "There is no way you can drink again." He didn't lie about me not being able to drink anymore, but if there was anything he was lying about, it was that I could scarcely stand. Butterfly, you can barely stand anymore," he groaned, and I could tell he was smirking as he spoke those words. He didn't lie about me not being able to drink anymore, but if there was anything he was lying about, it was that I could barely stand. I drew
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 56
It was my first birthday since I had left home, and I couldn't help but feel a bit lonely. Nobody here knew it was my birthday nor do they even know the real me. If I was at work, back at home. Madea and Christy would have probably put together a silly party for me. As the day dawned, I knew that there would be no family to sing to me, no friends to throw a surprise party, and certainly no lover to bring me breakfast in bed. Mike stopped the breakfast in bed charade almost three years ago, now that I think of it. The signs were presenting themselves early, but I was just the one that chose to ignore it fully. I was still stuck in the delusion of us, I should have known. This was a different world, a world I had chosen, but it sometimes felt so far away from the life I had once known. This world was starting out fast to become the one that’s for me, with each passing day I find the line between good and bad getting blurry for me. I find myself leaning toward the crime world. The da
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 57
"My father was a monster," he said, his voice low and filled with bitterness. "He made our lives a living hell. We were just kids, and he treated us like garbage."I could tell the anger behind those words; he sounded like a man who had a lot to say, and I was grateful he trusted me enough to tell me this part of his. Russo had always been an enigma I wanted to solve, one that I wanted to turn into reality without fear."For every time he got back from meetings and everything, we lived in fear. My mother, my brothers, and I included Nobody was free of his clutches. My father was a principled man, one who had witnessed the Cold War as a Soviet Union soldier and he had lots to pass down; love wasn't one of them. My brothers and I had to find our own paths. We had to craft our own emotions. My father rarely showed emotion. The only emotion he showed was anger, and he did that without fear. An angry father meant that we would be whipped till we bled."Russo went on to tell me about his ol
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 58
For me, going shopping has always been an excellent method to keep a low profile, and today was no exception. I needed a reason to go back into the FBI office, which was a location that I had once considered to be my home. As I navigated my way through those well-known passageways, I couldn't help but experience a range of feelings. I detested the way it felt right now, and I loathed myself even more.In the first place, this was way too dangerous; if Russo was watching me, this would be a terrible way to give myself away, but checking in at this point would have been way too late. I needed to reassure my superiors and let them know that I was working, so I communicated this to them. I had been pretending to be someone else for a number of months, and I was still not in the thick of things. I have to confess that I have been doing an outstanding job, even if it has been at the sacrifice of my personal feelings.As I make my way through the deserted laundry, I go back to the days when
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 59
As I was getting dressed for the fundraiser, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement in my chest. The black dress I had chosen for the evening was sleek and sexy, hugging my curves in all the right places. I paired it with a pair of stilettos that made my legs look endless.Russo was sitting on the bed, watching me intently as I applied the finishing touches to my makeup. He leaned back, looking at his watch with a mock sigh. "We're going to be late, Alissa," he teased.I turned to him with a playful smile, not bothered by the time. "Oh, come on, Russo," I said, walking over to him. "Fashionably late is the way to go, right?"He chuckled, his eyes dancing with amusement. "You always have an answer for everything, don't you?"I leaned in closer, my lips almost brushing against his ear. "Well, it's not just any event. It's a fundraiser," I whispered, my voice taking on a sultry tone. "We need to make an entrance, don't we?"Russo's breath caught, and he cleared his throat, try
Playing the Devil's Game Chapter 60
The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, gently coaxing me awake. I blinked a few times, adjusting to the new day, and then noticed the enticing aroma wafting through the room. My senses quickly came to life, and I realized that breakfast in bed awaited me.Russo stood by the bedside, holding a tray laden with delectable treats. He wore a playful grin on his face as he presented the meal. "Good morning, my beautiful Alissa," he greeted me, his eyes filled with a hint of mischief.I sat up, a mixture of surprise and curiosity coursing through me. "Breakfast in bed? What's the occasion?" I asked, my voice laced with curiosity.Russo placed the tray in front of me. "No special occasion," he replied with a wink. "I just wanted to spoil you a little."A wave of warmth washed over me, and I couldn't help but smile at his sweet gesture. "Well, you've certainly succeeded," I said, running a finger along the edge of the tray.As I started to indulge in the delicious breakfast he'd
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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
