Matteo POV.Hearing what my tesoro endured was brutal. Reading it was different from hearing from it. She detached herself when she was speaking, like she was a robot, going through the motions. But the fire in her eyes was a dead giveaway. The room is dead silent. No one speaking, just processing what we all just heard.“I want that fucker found, I want him dead and all of the men and women who touched her.” Andros is the first to speak through gritted teeth, his knuckles white as he tries to control his urge to fly to New York and torture the prick.“We are leaving Curtis Black for last, but trust me. I have a plan for him. The rest have been taken care of. I want to know who was at these sex parties regardless of if they participated or not. They are all guilty by association.” I say to him, and it does nothing to quell his rage.“What about this man, Nikolai? What about him? Cass said he didn’t touch her, that he tried to help her. Who is he?” Tony says and I sigh, knowing exactly
Cassandria POV.Entering the house that I live in with my brother. I know things are going to be different now. He now knows the truth and will no doubt wrap me in bubble wrap and keep me away from everything and anyone who can hurt me.But I need to get away, I need to leave. I don’t need the pity or the over protectiveness. I need to live my life, get back on the damn horse, as it were. Not be couped up at home like a laying hen. No, I need to go to the one place that always felt like home.Sicily. To my zio Francesco and zia Sophie. They will help me, and I can start to heal without people breathing down my neck. I love my brother, but he is too overbearing and I need to breathe. I can’t do that here.I need the sea, the sun, the fresh air. I need to go home. Andros thinks that I don’t know the truth about who I am. I have known for a short while now. I know I shouldn’t have kept it from him, but he, too, has kept it from me. So it’s tit-for-tat.I grab my phone and dial the number
Cassandria POV.Seven years was the last time I was here. Seven years and the area has changed so much. We drive along the costal road. I look out of the window and smile, watching the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea glisten under the blazing sun.I’m already feeling at ease, like the crushing, oppressive weight is starting to lift from my chest, the black cloud of depression or the black dog as it is known is shifting, evaporating from my being.We drive towards the gates that keep the Romano compound secured. The pine trees line the drive and terracotta tall planters warm in the sun with roses in various colours. We drive up the driveway to a small fountain in the centre. The cars come to a stop at the door.My door is opened, and I take a deep breath of the sea air. I smile as I climb out and look up at the mansion that I always felt at home in. This was my madre’s childhood home. It hasn’t changed much.It’s warm jagged quarry stone front with arch windows encased with wrough
Matteo POV.Checking over documents in the office, the door opens with a bang and I look up and see a furious-looking Andros as he storms forward. I move the laptop away and stand to look at him.“What crawled up your ass?” I ask. This is not usual to see him like this, a bull in a damn china shop.“She is gone.” He shouts as he clutches at his black hair. He paces and I sigh. I knew this would happen. Cynthia said she would. I didn’t think she would leave so soon, though.“Where?” I ask him and he looks up at me. His blue eyes are raging with fire.“Sicily.” He hands me an envelope and I take it from him. I open the lip and pull out the paper. Unfolding it, seeing her beautiful cursive handwriting. I read it.Andros, my big brother.By the time you read this, I would have left. I’m sorry for not being strong enough and for being a burden to you. It was never my intention to drag you into my mess.I have sold my car and left my phone and key in the house.Know that I am safe and I hav
Cassandria POV.Entering the bedroom that was once my madre’s, but when we stayed here during vacations, it became mine. I smile up at the posters on the walls, the familiar pictures on the dresser. The chest at the foot of the kingsized bed. The white voiles around the posts of the bed and hanging from the canopy.A proper bed fit for a principessa, she would say. I can see her as I would sit at the vanity dresser with her behind me as she would comb my hair and braid it, speaking to me in her native tongue. I walk closer and pick up the comb and clutch it to my chest. Looking at the wallet sized pictures of us all around the mirror. Happier memories of when Andros and I were children.I allow myself to break down in the privacy of the room. I walk to the chest and move to my knees, and open the lid. The old wooden style chest. I lift the heavy metal catch and lift the lid, allowing it to open completely.I can smell the perfume she used to wear. Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. It wafts ge
Cassandria POV.FOUR MONTHS LATER!I used to love doing this as a child. Laying in the dewy grass looking up at the sky, especially if there were clouds, so I could let my imagination run wild. But without the taste of blood in my mouth and the winded feeling in my gut.“Ohh, look at you. On your back panting for breath. Tap out, little one, you are not ready.” The mocking, arrogant asshole that is Ivan is blocking my sun with his taunts as he leans down, trying to make me feel inferior. But fuck him.He stands and holds his bear paw of a hand out for me to take. I slap it away and roll onto my knees with a groan, and spit the blood into the grass. I stand up, catching my breath.“That’s it, little one, run along. You don’t have what it takes to beat me.” I look at him over my shoulder and smile at him, my eyes watching him. A glint in them, a promise of both pain and humiliation that I, a little five foot eight girl, will take down the Russian mountain.“Keep telling yourself that, p
Cassandria POV.“Cass, earth to Cass, snap out of it!” fingers click in my face and I blink to come out the momentary stun.“I’m fine.” I say as I walk towards the bar. I grab a bottle of vodka and open the lid and drink it down. Allowing the burn to remind me I’m here, I’m alive and he can’t hurt me anymore.“Did any of you know about this?” I ask as I look at the wall. This is a new betrayal. After I shared my pain of everything that bastard did to me and many other women, why is he with Matteo? Was this planned all along? Is it because I left?“No, we didn’t know, but you need to listen before you go all stabby stabby.” Dimitri says and I take a breath to calm my racing and anxious heart.“I’m listening.” I say as I lean against the wall, looking at him and not the news interview.“Valentina has connections with Cur …” I hold my hand up and I shake my head.“With that man, Matteo thinks she is connected somehow with the trafficking. Do you know why Matteo is so against it?” he asks
Cassandria POV.I’m woken by the sound of an alarm blurring in the villa. I sit up and climb out of bed as the bedroom door opens and Ivan comes into view. His finger to his mouth. Tati comes in behind him holding a vest and gun. She hands them to me.I take them with shaking hands and put the vest on and grab the gun.“There is a breach. We need to move. Stay down, stay calm and don’t fucking hesitate.” He says and I gulp, nodding my head as I hear the first shot fired. I jump and yelp as I duck down. Ivan grabs me and shoves me behind him. I’m shaking as I hear screams, then multiple bursts.I grab the back of his vest, and Tati has me.“We move as one. Remember your training, Cass. This is real, not a drill.” Tati says and all I can hear is the blood pumping in my ears. We inch closer to the stairs, hearing more screams and shouts coming from outside and inside.“DOWN!” Ivan shouts, and I hit the floor as he fires his gun. I lay there in shock. I’m grabbed up and dragged around. It