All Chapters of Tesoro: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

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

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.“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

Matteo POV.No sooner had Alina and Dimitri arrived than we received the news that Francesco and Sophie were killed in the compound in Sicily. The only word we have is that the staff and the occupants were slaughtered, but Cass and her team are still alive. We have all tried to call them, but no answer. But we have kept trying. I have a feeling in my gut that something bad has happened to her. To my Regina, tesoro mio.One of the local police officers reached out to me and so here we are, in Sicily. We are speeding towards the compound. Andros is beside himself. We don’t know who it was who attacked the compound, but I have an idea. My only thoughts are getting to Cass, and fast.We drive through the gates of the compound and park up. No sooner has the cars stopped Andros is out and running to find his sister.“Where is she?” he shouts as he runs through the villa, shouting her name. I look around and see the grass littered with blood and shell casings. This was organised. They came h

Cassandria POV.It has been a few days since the compound was attacked and my zio and zia where killed. I have avoided everyone. I have been doing my own digging into what happened that night. Not that I have found anything that I didn’t already know. Even so, I am building a plan in my head. But I can’t do anything until I’m stateside.I twirl and thrust the bokken out in front of me. I keep slashing and moving like it is the real Katana. A bokken is a wooden training sword. It is the same length and width as the Katana. Can’t use a naked blade just in case someone approaches me.During my weapons training with Alina, I found I liked using the guns, but my favourite was the Katana. She told me it was her favourite too, and she also told me about her reasons for it. She was trained by master Tadashi in Tokyo when she was a girl. His son Hamada is now the boss of the Yazuka.She explained that the blade is an extension of your body; it moves fluid like water. It can cut through anythin