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MIRELLA’S POV

Cole is the picture of hot perfection with eyes of the warmest shade of green and a smile so sexy, it had women stare with thirst in their eyes, hoping for a piece of him. Can you blame them though? Well, unfortunately for them, he was my husband of five years, and tonight, it was one of those rare nights when he wasn’t consumed with his work and had taken me out to a bar for some good time.

The bar was a cozy, fancy spot, dimly lit with a soft glow from the vintage bulbs hanging from the ceiling. The hum of low conversation flowing around us and clinking glasses was the perfect ambience. Cole led me to a corner booth, his hand firmly gripping mine as if to reassure me that tonight, he was all mine. Yet, there was something nagging the back of my mind. Something felt off and for the life of me, I couldn’t place it.

We slid into the booth, and he signaled to the waiter. "Two double Old Fashioneds, please," he ordered with that confident charm that always made my heart skip a beat. As the waiter walked away, Cole turned his attention back to me, his green eyes sparkling in the low light.

"I missed this," he said, his voice low and intimate. "Just the two of us, no distractions."

I smiled, feeling a flutter of happiness. "Me too. It's been too long."

He reached across the table, taking my hand in his. "I'm sorry I've been so busy lately. I promise to make it up to you."

I squeezed his hand, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine. "Just being here with you is enough."

The waiter returned with our drinks, and we clinked glasses, toasting to a night of reconnecting. As we sipped our cocktails, the world outside seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us in our own little bubble.

For a while, my doubts dissolved into thin air. Maybe he wasn’t hiding anything from me. He leaned in to kiss me, and I was quite aware of the fact that I was tipsy. I giggled against his mouth, and he chuckled in response.

“You look so fucking hot,” he said, his gaze smoldering as his eyes dipped briefly to my lips.

My heart thumped with anticipation. “Might be because I’m dating the hottest man on this earth.”

Then there it was again: the look in his eyes like he was hiding something. His smile faltered, a crestfallen look dancing in his gaze. He cupped my cheek, swallowing hard.

“You know that I love you, right?” he whispered.

This time, my heart quickened with fear. “Is everything okay?”

He glanced behind me, and before I could turn, he whispered rather frantically, “I’m so fucking sorry, babe. I really am.”

“What is going on?” I asked, my voice shaking slightly.

Before he could respond, a shadow fell over our table. I turned to see a man standing there, his expression unreadable but intense. Cole’s hand tightened around mine, and I could feel the tension radiating from him.

“Cole,” the man said, his voice low and firm. “We need to talk.”

Cole’s face paled, and he let out a shaky breath. “Not now, Jake. Please.”

Jake’s eyes flicked to me, then back to Cole. “It can’t wait. You know that.”

I looked between the two of them, my anxiety mounting. “Cole, what is this about?”

Cole squeezed my hand, his eyes filled with regret. “I didn’t want you to find out like this,” he said quietly. “But there’s something I need to tell you.”

The world around me seemed to blur as I struggled to comprehend what was happening. “Just tell me, Cole.”

He took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving mine. “There’s been... complications at work. I didn’t want to worry you, but... it’s serious.”

My heart pounded in my chest. “What kind of complications?”

Jake cut in, his voice urgent. “Let’s just say it involved a lot of money. Unfortunately, your husband took money from someone he shouldn’t have, and now he can’t pay it back.”

I stared at them in shock, my mind racing. “What?”

“He took money from me,” said a new, deep voice.

I turned to see an Italian man standing behind Jake, his presence imposing and dangerous. My blood ran cold as I realized who he was.

The fucking Mafia.

The man stepped closer, his eyes locked onto Cole. “You didn’t think you could just walk away from this, did you?”

Cole’s grip on my hand tightened. “Ermest, I was going to pay you back. I just need more time.”

Marco’s smile was cold and unforgiving. “Time is a luxury you no longer have.”

Fear surged through me, and I looked at Cole, desperate for answers. “Cole, what is he talking about?”

Cole’s eyes were filled with regret. “I... I borrowed money from Ermest to cover some business expenses. Things didn’t go as planned, and now... now we’re in trouble.”

Ermest’s gaze shifted to me, and I felt a chill run down my spine. “Your husband is in debt to the tune of half a million dollars. And if he can’t pay, well, let’s just say there are other ways to settle the score.”

I swallowed hard, my mind struggling to process the gravity of the situation. “What do you want from us?”

Ernest's smile widened. “I want my money. And if Cole can’t pay, I’m sure we can find other ways for him to work it off. Good thing he had that clause covered.”

Cole stepped forward, his voice shaking. “Leave her out of this, Ernest. This is between you and me.”

Ernest’s eyes narrowed. “You should have thought of that before you took my money and put her up as collateral.”

“You did what?” I spat, my voice dripping with venom.

“I was going to pay him back, babe,” Cole stammered, desperation in his eyes, “ I swear,”

“I have half a mind to kill you right now,” I seethed. “You took a loan from the Mafia and put me as collateral?” The back of my mouth went sour, my voice breaking. “Is that why you wanted to come out with me? Just how much more fucking stupid could I be? I really thought you were taking me out for a date,” A single tear rolled down my cheek before I could stop it.

“Babe—”

“Now if you two are done,” Ernest’s cold voice cut through the tension like a knife, “I’d like to take my collateral. You have a week to bring me the money or her head rolls.”

A chilling silence fell over the room as Ernest’s words sank in. My heart pounded in my chest, my body frozen with fear. Cole looked at me, his face pale and stricken with guilt. In my head, a million thoughts ran wild. My husband of five years put me as collateral for a loan from the most feared man in the city. 

"Ernest, please,” Cole pleaded, his voice cracking. “Give me more time. I’ll find a way to get the money.”

Ernest’s gaze was unyielding. “One week, Cole. No more, no less. If you fail, your wife pays the price.”

He signaled to his men, and before I knew it, they were upon me. Panic surged through me as they grabbed my arms, pulling me away from Cole.

“Wait!” I screamed, struggling against their grip. “Cole!”

Cole lunged forward, desperation in his eyes. “No, please! Don’t take her! I’ll get the money!”

Ernest watched with cold detachment as his men dragged me toward the door. “Remember, Cole. One week.”

The room spun as I was forced outside, my heart pounding in my chest. “Cole! Don’t let them take me!” My voice was shrill with terror.

Cole’s face twisted with anguish as he reached out, but the men held him back. “I’ll get you back, I promise!” he shouted, his voice breaking.

The door slammed shut behind me, and I was shoved into a black SUV. The cold leather of the seat pressed against my skin as the engine roared to life. Tears streamed down my face as the reality of my situation set in.

The men sat silently beside me, their expressions stoic and unfeeling. I tried to calm my racing heart, to think of a way out, but fear clouded my thoughts.

We drove for what felt like hours, the city lights blurring past the windows. Finally, we arrived at a secluded mansion on the outskirts of town. The gates creaked open, and the SUV rolled up the long driveway.

I was roughly pulled from the car and escorted inside. The grandeur of the mansion did nothing to soothe my terror. Ernest’s men led me to a dimly lit room and left me there, locking the door behind them.

I sank to the floor, my mind racing. How had my life spiraled into this nightmare?