ALISSA’S POV I had no idea what happened; one minute I was enjoying the party like Russo asked me to, this time alone. I made sure to stay away from those demonic women before I ended up throwing their asses in a pool or something, and the next morning, Russo would be punishing me. I was desperately trying not to think of Russo’s words too. I’ve learned to hold things that come from that man like a pinch of salt. He was playing games he was very good at, and I would stay the fuck out of it.“We are leaving immediately."That was all he said before he made his way towards the same entrance we came in from. I ditched the glass of champagne I was nursing and followed him. He sounded curt, and he looked very, very mad. I have no idea what happened, and I just hope it has nothing to do with me again. I mean, I already apologized to the damn woman, even if she came after me first. She called me a slut.He was already sitting in the car when I got there, and I got in right after him. He sti
ALISSA’S POV The air in Russo's office was thick with tension, and I could feel the weight of it pressing down on my shoulders as we gathered around his desk. Romero had finally unearthed the name of the person who had stolen Russo's phone, a theft that had cost us dearly. It took us a whole lot, but after a whole shipment went missing, Russo started putting everyone under pressure.It was Christine and her husband, Mathias. The same woman who had provoked me to twist her arm when she called me a lsut, I should have known that that stuoud woman was to no good. I hate that I was right about her being sketchy, and I should have done more than just twisting her arm; I should have beaten her properly for the love of God.Russo's voice was low and dangerous as he spoke, his anger simmering just below the surface. "Christine and her husband," he spat out the names like a curse. "They thought they could steal from me and get away with it. Now they’ve cost me a whole lot of shipping, and the
A warm, golden light illuminated Russo's extravagant bedroom when the sunshine from the early morning peaked through the drapes. At the threshold, I uncomfortably kneeled, and a knot formed in the pit of my stomach. This was not the way that I had envisioned my morning going. Last night, after he kissed me, I quickly escaped his embrace by breaking the kiss and running away. I was confused as to why I did that, and I'm finding that my feelings of remorse are only growing stronger.Even to me, that seemed to have a rather odd quality, and now here I am with a proposition for peace. I really wish I could explain the reasoning behind why I'm doing this, but I can't. I'll be craving the man like I'm addicted to a drug, and then the next minute I'll be running away from him like he's the devil himself.Russo was sitting up in the middle of his humongous bed, looking at me with a mix of amusement and interest as the sheets were all tangled up about him. His unkempt appearance added to the r
I pretended that I was going to look for Russo or something else as I carefully made my way inside his room. I pretended that I was going to seek for him. In actuality, I was heading there to spy on them; I've been absent from the FBI for some time, and throughout that time I haven't provided any genuine intelligence that makes it appear as though I'm working.I was having trouble concentrating and was becoming far too distracted. I was trying to make up for that by putting myself in potentially dangerous situations in an effort to obtain reliable intelligence. I had the impression that Russo's room would at least offer me with a hint of what was going on.I crossed the hallway with self-assurance so that when he checked the surveillance footage on the CCTV, he would not find anything to be suspicious. It wasn't until I looked out my window and saw him and Romero together that I realized he was out with Romero.While he and Romero were gone, the atmosphere in this area became increasi
As I slipped out of his room, I couldn't help but wonder what he would make of my unexpected advances. Had he suspected that I was up to something? And would he find out the truth about my real intentions? No matter how I wanted to come off as not suspicious, I was doing a terrible job of not coming off as cynical. I needed to stand up and move away from the stupid guilt that attacked me whenever I wanted to get involved with Russo. This wasn’t just me stepping away from the line, and this was plain stupid. Hours passed, and I couldn't shake the feeling of restlessness that gnawed at me. I knew I had to finish what I had started to uncover the secrets hidden within that ledger. Russo had hidden it in his room and not his office for a reason, and I needed to know why. That ledger seemed like something that would answer most of my answers, and I wasn’t going to let it go like that. When Russo finally left for a business dinner meeting later in the evening, I seized the opportunity to
The walk back to my room was everything I didn’t think it would be. After the dinner, I was expecting Russo to take things a bit higher, but it seemed like he had made his decision regarding me. He wasn’t going to make a move on me again. He didn’t even look at me like he wanted me all through the dinner; the conversations were light, and nothing hinted at him wanting to sleep with me. I had no idea why the thought that someone did not want me again was getting me worked up. L should be grateful he was giving me a chance to leave easily when all of this was over; he was giving me a chance not to break my own vow even when my husband had broken his. I shouldn’t be so down bad for a man who just wants to sleep with me and nothing more. I blame the fact that I worked with him every time and the fact that he was irresistible. Maybe he could be my desperately needed distraction if I stopped running from him. I wasn’t even dressed for the dinner, but it was the best. I enjoyed every bit o
The next morning dawned with a sense of trepidation, like a storm looming on the horizon. As I approached the grand entrance to Russo's office, I couldn't shake the feeling that the calm before the storm had finally given way to chaos.I had spent most of the night thinking about the information Mitch had told me, I still find it hard to believe, but he has no reason to lie to me. After the first time I slept with Russo, the guilt of running my marriage kept on eating me up, and I didn’t realize that the other person had moved on as if nothing happened. Fuck Mike for real. I pushed open the big door and stepped inside, eyes scanning the dimly lit room. But before I could take another step, the door behind me swung shut with a soft thud, and I was pulled back into the shadows. Arms came around me instantly and I knew who it was, he didn’t come to my room last night, so I figured he would pull this kind of stunt with me. I gasped in surprise as strong arms wrapped around me, pressing
When an FBI SOS came in, they required a progress report, and Madea couldn't keep them off again. I was just going about my day like everyone else when the call came in. I had the distinct impression that it was high time for me to get rid of the copies of the files that I had made during my first stint working in Russo's office. Even if they might not amount to much, they were sufficient evidence in the eyes of my superiors. It's a hopeless cause to try to educate the majority of them on how challenging it is to maintain a cover story. My most valued possession at the time was the flash drive on which were stored the images that I had taken during my undercover investigation. It contained the evidence that may expose the secrets that Russo had been keeping and possibly bring down his empire. Knowing that my life depended on it, I had taken all of the necessary precautions to ensure that it remained secure.But when I woke up that morning, I was overcome with anxiety since I couldn't
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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