Teresa's POV Lisa hung up the phone, her sharp eyes flicking toward Teresa, who sat on the plush couch near the window. The soft moonlight from the night moon highlighted Teresa’s hopeful expression as she stared outside, lost in thought.“That was Stefano,” Lisa said, her voice calm yet unreadable.Teresa perked up instantly, her heart skipping a beat. “He’s coming?”Lisa nodded. “He’ll be here soon.”A rush of emotions surged through Teresa, excitement, nervousness, and a lingering guilt from the last time they had spoken. She had left him standing in that room, unsure of what to say, but now, she had a chance to make it up to him.Without hesitation, she rushed to freshen up, hurrying into the bathroom and splashing cool water on her face. She ran her fingers through her curls, straightening her dress as she glanced at her reflection in the mirror.'Tonight, I’ll finally tell him everything. How I truly feel about him' she puffed her chest in confidence.She didn’t care that she w
Teresa's POV Teresa sat motionless on the cold marble floor, her body trembling as silent sobs wracked through her body. The weight of Stefano’s accusations hung over her like a storm cloud, suffocating her with doubt, heartbreak, and confusion. She had tried to deny it, to fight back, but the moment she had seen the letter in Stefano’s hand, his eyes filled with cold fury, it was as if the very ground beneath her had disappeared.He didn’t believe her. And why would he?No matter what she said, no matter how much she pleaded, he had already decided she was a traitor.Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she curled her arms around herself, struggling to contain the overwhelming ache in her chest. It was useless. The tears wouldn’t stop, and the pain only deepened.Lisa knelt beside her, concern etched on her usually stern face. She reached out, placing a firm yet gentle hand on Teresa’s shoulder.“Crying won’t fix this,” Lisa said, her voice softer than Teresa had expected. “I know i
Teresa's POV The room was suffocating. Teresa sat on the edge of the bed, gripping the sheets so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Guillermo had positioned himself too close, his knee nearly brushing against hers. His presence made her skin crawl, but she forced herself to remain still, her back straight, her hands trembling in her lap.They weren't in her room, but in another room that she wasn't familiar with.Guillermo had always carried himself with an air of charm, his lazy smirks and piercing gaze enough to make most women melt. But to Teresa, that charm was a mask, one that now cracked, revealing the monster lurking beneath."You look so nervous," Guillermo said, his voice silky smooth, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips. "Why? I don’t bite. Unless you ask me to, of course."Teresa swallowed hard, shifting slightly away from him, but there was nowhere to go. "Why are we here?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.He leaned in, his fingers reaching out to trail alon
Teresa's POV The room was silent, save for the sound of Teresa’s ragged breathing. Her hands trembled as they clutched the torn fabric of her dress, Guillermo’s assault still burning in her mind like an open wound. The dim light from the bedside lamp cast long shadows across the walls, enclosing her in suffocating darkness.Tears streamed down her face, dripping onto her lap, but she made no move to wipe them away. Her body felt cold, hollow, as if she weren’t truly there. Just a shell, left behind after everything had been stolen from her.For the first time in her life, Teresa felt powerless.She had spent years fighting, first to survive in a world that never truly welcomed her, she had been forced into the monastery against her will, then to be seen as more than just a pawn in Stefano’s game. But now? Now she was nothing more than a broken woman in a locked room, holding onto the tattered remnants of her dignity.Her fingers curled around the shredded fabric, anger seeping into h
Teresa's POV Teresa sat in the dimly lit bedroom, her fingers gripping the remnants of her torn dress. The fabric felt like an accusation in her hands, a cruel reminder of how helpless she had been. But she refused to let it define her. She wasn’t a victim. Not anymore.Across from her, Lisa leaned casually against the bedframe, arms crossed, watching her with a mix of pride and amusement."You really mean it?" Lisa asked, tilting her head. "You’re done running?"Teresa tightened her grip on the fabric. Running had never saved her. Begging had never saved her. Love had never saved her.Only power would."I’m done being weak," Teresa said, her voice hard as steel. "I will be a Mafioso."A slow smirk tugged at Lisa’s lips. "Now that’s what I like to hear."But Teresa wasn’t naïve. Her words meant nothing without action. She had no money, no allies, no soldiers at her disposal. The world outside this villa had moved on without her, and her name carried no weight anymore.She exhaled sha
Stefano's POV Stefano stood in the dim glow of his study, a glass of whiskey untouched on the desk behind him. The early morning light bled through the curtains, casting long shadows across the room. He had been up all night, unable to sleep, his mind circling the same agonizing thoughts like a vulture over a dying carcass.Teresa.Her name echoed in his head, a whisper of regret and longing that he couldn’t silence no matter how much he tried to.He stared out of the window, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. It had been a few days since their last confrontation, since he had thrown cruel words at her, locked her away, and told himself it was for the best. He could still hear his own voice ringing in his ears, harsh and unforgiving."You will never see me again.""I will make sure you're locked up for as long as possible."The moment replayed in his mind over and over again like a film stuck on its worst scene. He hadn’t meant those words. Not in the way they had come out.
Teresa's POV Teresa sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the torn fabric of her dress from the night before. The room felt suffocating, the air thick with memories of what had nearly happened.She had barely slept. The fear, the rage, the overwhelming sense of helplessness, it had kept her awake, staring at the ceiling, thinking. Thinking about the war she was about to wage, about what kind of woman she would have to become to survive.She had made her choice.She would become Vendetta.She would stop waiting to be rescued, stop being a pawn in the games of powerful men. No one would ever have power over her again.A sharp honk from outside shattered her thoughts.Her heart lurched.She stood quickly, peering out the window, her breath hitching at the sight of a sleek black car pulling up in the driveway.Her stomach twisted into knots.She wasn’t expecting anyone.Fear gripped her chest like an iron fist. What if it was Guillermo? Had he recovered already?
Stefano's POV Stefano stood outside the villa, the crisp morning air biting at his skin. The world felt unnervingly still, as if it, too, was holding its breath for what was to come. He exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders, trying to shake the weight off his chest. He should feel regret. Should feel ashamed. A Don of the King Mafia in love with a slave? It was unthinkable. But he couldn’t bring himself to care anymore. He had spent so long trying to fight it, trying to convince himself that Teresa was just another woman, another pawn in the grand chessboard of his life. Yet the moment he had kissed her, the moment he had let the truth spill from his lips, he had felt something he hadn’t felt in a long time... The sweet taste of relief. There was no more pretending. No more running from the inevitable. He loved her. And for the first time, he wasn’t ashamed of it. But now was not the time to dwell on such things. He had done what was needed, but now he had other things to worr
Teresa's POV Teresa leaned back in her chair, swirling a glass of wine in her hand as Lisa stood beside her, giving out the latest reports. The dim glow of the room’s chandelier reflected in the deep crimson liquid in her glass, mirroring the reflection of the soon to be blood soaked city she was trying to control."Guillermo is making his moves," Lisa said, placing a folder on the dark mahogany table. "He’s securing his alliances with the Yakuza, and Stefano is back in the game. If we don’t act now, we’ll lose our foothold."Teresa exhaled, placing the glass down with a soft clink. "That’s what he thinks. But we move in silence, Lisa. Let the men scramble for power while we pull the strings."Lisa smirked, knowing Teresa’s mind was already ten steps ahead. "I assume you have a plan?"Teresa tapped the folder. "I do. We start by cutting Guillermo’s cash flow. His operations depend on bribes and loyalty bought with money. If we can starve his businesses, his men will scatter like bees
Guillermo's POV Guillermo adjusted his cufflinks as he stepped into the dimly lit, smoke filled private lounge of an upscale restaurant. The Yakuza didn’t do casual meetings, they did things close to events, and this meeting was no different. The air smelled of expensive cigars and aged whiskey, the kind of ambiance designed to remind you of power.Seated across the room, three men in sharp, traditional garment covered a fourth figure, whose presence immediately commanded respect. His slicked back silver hair and measured, assessing gaze spoke of decades in the game.Takashi, the man representing the Yakuza in Rome.Guillermo approached with a confident stride, offering a respectful nod but not lowering himself beyond that. He was the King of Rome’s underground, after all. He would not bow.Takashi gestured to the seat across from him. "Guillermo. We meet at last."Guillermo sat, taking a moment to study the man in front of him. "Takashi. I appreciate you accepting my invitation."Ta
Teresa's POV Teresa sat in the dimly lit lounge of one of her safe houses, fingers tapping idly against the surface of her phone as she waited for Lisa’s report. She had given the order as soon as she parted ways with Ethan, her instincts telling her that the charming stranger was more than he appeared to be.A soft buzz signaled Lisa’s incoming message. Teresa opened it quickly, scanning the short but important message."No immediate ties to Guillermo. But… he’s connected to someone powerful. Still digging." She read out loud, then pursed her lips.That was enough to set her further on edge. If Ethan wasn’t Guillermo’s pawn, then who exactly was pulling his strings? She needed more information, and she was going to get it the old fashioned way, by playing the game herself. She felt happily excited for some reason, thrilled even.The next evening, Ethan had chosen a high end but secluded cafe for their meeting, the kind of place that catered to the wealthy but maintained an air of qu
Teresa's POV Teresa studied Ethan with careful eyes, her mind racing with possibilities. This man was not from Rome, that much was certain. His presence, his posture, the way his men flanked him protectively... it all screamed foreign, yet powerful. But was he an ally? An enemy? Or just an outsider who landed in the den of Mafia's, death and agony? Was he really oblivious to the game being played or he didn’t even know he was playing?She couldn’t afford to be reckless. Not now. If Ethan was connected to Guillermo, she had to tread carefully. One wrong step, and she could be exposing herself, Vendetta, and everything she had worked to build.Ethan, however, seemed completely at ease. If he was aware of the tension in the air, he didn’t show it. Instead, he smiled, a lazy, confident grin that made Teresa’s suspicion flare even stronger."You seem tense," he said smoothly. "I hope I didn’t startle you.""Not at all," Teresa responded, keeping her tone neutral. "It’s just not every day
Guillermo's POV Guillermo leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling with a sly smile playing on his lips. If he couldn't crush the Yakuza outright, then he would make them dance to his tune. It was simple, if you couldn't destroy your enemy, turn them into your weapon. The Yakuza weren’t the problem. Teresa was. If he could paint himself as an ally, as the lesser evil in their eyes, he could maneuver them like chess pieces against her. Let them do his dirty work. And when the time was right, he’d deal with them, too.He picked up his phone and made a single call. "Send them an invitation. Tell them I want to talk." The person on the other end didn't hesitate. "Understood, Boss."Guillermo tapped his fingers against the desk. The plan was already forming in his mind. He would welcome them with open arms, show them the advantages of siding with him, and slowly weave them into his war against Teresa. They would be the sword, and he would be the hand that wielded it.And as for h
Guillermo's POVGuillermo sat back in the comfort of his chair, fingers stretched as he lost himself in the deliciously dark thoughts swirling in his mind. The past five years had been long, but now, now the game was finally shifting. Stefano was back. After all these years, after losing everything, his dear brother had finally crawled back into the world he had no place in anymore. 'How exciting', Guillermo smiled inwardly.Guillermo exhaled sharply, lips curling into a smirk as he thought about it. Five years ago, he had used Teresa to bring Stefano down. The way his brother had fallen, the rage, the pain... it had been glorious. Marvelous. Stefano who had been untouchable once, the heir to an empire. And now? Now he was nothing.But Guillermo wasn’t done. No, he would do it again. Only this time, he’d use Stefano against Teresa. The irony made him chuckle, a low, guttural sound that echoed in the quiet space of his office. The poetic irony of it all left a thrill running down his
Stefano’s POVThe rain hit the pavement in a steady, rhythmic shower, filling the silence between Stefano and Vincent as they walked through the dimly lit alleyways of the city. It had been years since Stefano had last been in a place like this, surrounded by people who knew nothing of who he used to be.But that didn’t change the fact that he remembered.The once feared leader of the King Mafia now walked through these streets like a ghost.A nobody.Vincent led him toward their apartment that they both lived in now. There was an understanding between them, unspoken, yet clear. Stefano wasn’t the same man he used to be, and Vincent knew it. Thankfully, he had gotten back his memories soon after Stefano had told him it his ordeal that happened five years ago, not that Vincent remembered every single detail, but he was no longer lost. And with that, he had really understood just how low Stefano has fallen.But that didn’t mean he would be satisfied staying this way.Stefano clenched h
Lisa’s POVLisa stormed through the front doors of Vendetta’s estate, her fury barely contained. The echoes of her boots striking the marble floor ricocheted through the grand hall, each step fueled by frustration.The meeting had been a disaster. A joke. A complete waste of her damn time.Vincent had refused to bow. Refused to acknowledge Teresa’s dominance. Refused to submit like every other fool who knew better than to challenge Vendetta.Lisa clenched her fists as she turned the corner, barely registering the guards who stood at attention when they saw her. She didn’t care about their presence. She didn’t care about anything right now, except making sure Teresa understood just how wrong this was.As she burst into Teresa’s office, she was met with a calm, knowing gaze. Teresa sat at her desk, leaning slightly back in her chair, fingers tapping rhythmically against the polished desk. The dim light from the chandelier cast sharp shadows across her face, making her almost unreadable.
Lisa’s POVLisa hated this.She hated stepping outside the estate, hated walking through the streets where danger lurked in the shadows, and more than anything, she hated that she was on her way to meet Vincent.She didn’t trust him. Didn’t like him. Never had. Never would.Vincent was too damn rigid, too stuck up, too controlling. He was too much like her and that was the worst part.The last time they met, it had been five years ago. On that night where she had held the gun and shot Guillermo's shoulder, then drilled three holes in Morano's chest. She hoped she would end it all there, but sadly she missed it. They had crossed paths for a brief moment, Vincent had been wary, of her but eventually let her go that night, after then, she wasn't sure what happened to him again.Lisa had hated that look in his eyes because it was the same one she gave him. Now, years later, she was walking straight into his territory.She had picked the bar. A local bar as usual, barely lit, barely staff