Chapter 1

"I would be leaving Milan for Germany in the next two days.” Sammie said. I made a sad face and he smiled and held my hand.

“Bella, don’t worry, you know I’ll be back for you.” He whispered softly. “I just need to go first and make all the arrangements, then I’ll come back for you, I’ll marry you and then we can all leave this place for good, your Dad too." He said as he stared into my eyes lovingly.

He had sneaked into my house like always does since we started secretly dating a year ago.

"I can't wait Sammie, I can’t wait to be your wife.” I smiled sheepishly at the idea of being married to Sammie, the man I love. “I can’t wait to finally leave this place too, especially for my Father. I hate that he works with those people..." My voice trailed off, as I heard the sound of the door opening, my heart raced. "That must be my Dad, you need to go!"

Sammie didn’t hesitate. I helped him to slip out through the back door.

My dad has always been very protective of me, ever since I lost my mum as a little girl. Even though Sam was my childhood best friend, my dad still didn’t trust him with me, especially after he caught us kissing in my room a few months back. He was beyond furious, but as time went by, he eventually approved of our relationship, not before laying down some rules, one of which was that Sam is not allowed to visit our house when he’s not around.

When I entered the living room, it wasn’t my dad, it was just Tim. I heaved a sigh of relief. Tim is an orphan my dad takes care of; he also works with the Santorini Syndicate, just like my dad.

"Tim, what are you doing here?" I asked. He looks like he's been running for miles.

"Your Dad... he is in trouble with the boss. You have to come with me, now!" He panted catching his breath.

My heart was racing now, I knew how ruthless those gangsters could be. That was why my Dad warned me never to go there. But this is different, he is in trouble.

"Let's go before it is too late." He urged. He grabbed my hands as we ran into the night.

-----

When we got to the Santorini Estate. Tim led me to the garden where they punish offenders. I’ve heard of this place, but it was worse than I imagined. The sight of men hanging upside down like animals, blood everywhere, turned my stomach.

Then I saw him, my Dad. They were dragging him towards the center of the garden where the leader of the Syndicate, Sir Bruno was standing with his men. It was heartbreaking to watch as they manhandled him. He wasn’t even healthy, he has a bad heart.

"Where is the products you stole from me?" Sir Bruno demanded. His eyes was cold and icy.

"I swear to you, I didn't steal anything. I could never do such a thing." My Dad pleaded.

Sir Bruno glared at him. "Explain to me why you were found in the cellar where the product is stored, instead of the kitchen you were assigned to work. And why, coincidentally, I’m missing a kilo of my supply.”

He hesitated a bit before answering. "I.. I sometimes sneak some food to the kids that work in the factory. When I saw your men coming, I panicked and ran into the cellar. That’s when they found me."

For a moment, Sir Bruno simply stared at him. Then with a swift motion, he slapped my Dad hard on the face.

"You know my rules and you broke them, and now you dare plead innocence?" He stood up, and then he turned to Thaddeus his right hand man.

"Kill him and dispose of the body. Report back to me when you’re done, we have more important matters to deal with." At that point, I couldn't watch anymore.

"No!" I screamed, as I ran into the room without thinking, tears streaming down my face. "Please don't kill him, he is innocent"

Sir Bruno’s men seized me, and dragged me towards the center. I went on my knees. “Please sir, have mercy.” I continued to plead with him.

"Annabelle, what are you doing here?" My Dad cried out when he saw me, his voice trembling with fear.

“Who do we have here?" Sir Bruno turned to my Dad. “Your daughter?” He stepped closer to me, crouching as he lifted my face to study me. "She's beautiful." He said with a smirk, looking back at my father.

"Don't you dare touch her.” My Dad shouted. “Do whatever you want to me, but leave her out of this!”

Sir Bruno chuckled maliciously. "Annabelle is it? Tell me, what are you willing to do to save your father?" He said staring at me intently.

I heard my dad’s protest grew louder, but I ignored him. I couldn’t let him die, not like this.

"I will do anything Sir, please, just don't kill him. He is all I have." I begged.

Sir Bruno straightened up, he had a wicked grin on his face, I knew that whatever he planned for me was not good. “Take him away.” He ordered.

Bruno’s men dragged my Dad out, but he just kept screaming at them. "What are you going to do with her? Don't you hurt my child! Let her go! Please, leave my daughter alone!

Tears flowed freely from my eyes, it hurt to see my Dad screaming frantically like this.

Ignoring my Dad’s plea, he pointed to two of his men. “Take her to Julio. He should… fix her up. And then present her to me at dinner.”

Julio? Who was Julio? What was he going to do with me? My mind spiraled with questions as the two men dragged me away.

-----

I was taken to one of the clubs owned by the syndicate. It was a front for the criminal activities that goes on underground. I was ushered into a private suite, where Julio, a flamboyant man with a sharp sense of style, greeted me. “Darling, I’m going to turn you into a masterpiece.” He said with a sense of pride. He clapped his hands and his team rushed forward.

First came the spa treatment, pedicure, manicure, makeover and then my hair was styled into soft waves that framed my face. Afterwards, I was made to try on different outfits, finally settling on a fitted, midnight blue elegant gown.

‘You are ready,” Julio declared. He led me to look at the mirror.

I looked at myself in the mirror. I saw how beautiful I looked, but all my beauty was now owned by Sir Bruno. He most likely would make me work in the club or pimp me to some old disgusting man.

I was driven back to the estate. When we arrived, I stepped out and was led to the dining hall. The table was filled with a feast of different delicacy, but food was the last thing on my mind right now.

The heavy doors opened, and Sir Bruno strode in. He was stunned when he saw me. He approached me, until he was right in front of me, he looked at me up and down and nodded satisfactorily.

"I knew you were a diamond in the rough,” he said. “Have dinner with me."

He pulled out a chair for me, and gestured for me to sit. I complied, I was so nervous but I tried to keep my cool.

Sir Bruno took a sit opposite me.

"Eat." He commanded. Even though I didn’t have any appetite for food, I hurriedly pick up the fork with shaky hand, I began to eat.

After a while of eating silently.

"I have a mission for you Annabelle. I think you would be perfect of this mission." He said finally.

I froze.

He signaled to one of his men, who handed me an ipad. On the screen was the image of a man, he was strikingly handsome with deep blue piercing eyes that radiated power and cold hostility

"Have you heard of the Bellarico Royale Casino?” he asked and I shook my head. “That is Gerrard Bellarico, the owner of the casino and the son of my once greatest enemy and rival." His voice was filled with disdain for the man he spoke of.

"Years ago, I took out his father and crushed the Bellarico empire, but now, Gerrard has risen from the ashes to take his father’s place. He is determine to destroy my business and he is obviously after my life too" He scoffed in frustration.

“He has sabotage my shipments, stolen my supply, and now he has taken over my territory in Palermo. His men are armed with sophisticated weaponry.” He paused. “I hate to admit it but he is stronger than any opponent I have had to face, he’s outsmarting me at every turn, and my men can’t keep up.”

Why was he telling me all these?

Sir Bruno’s gaze locked into mine, as if reading my thoughts, he leaned back in his chair.

"You are going to help me take him out.”.