LOGINPIERREThe drive to the docks was silent. Antonio sat in the passenger seat, checking his watch every few minutes. We reached the industrial sector at 3:00 AM.The Northern Outfit’s was a massive, poorly-ventilated structure near the edge of the pier. It was the primary hub for their illegal imports. Tonight, it was going to be a graveyard for their inventory.“The perimeter is clear,” Antonio reported, monitoring his tablet. “Three men at the front, five at the back. Thermal shows seven more inside.”“Kill the guards. Plant the C4 on the structural supports,” I instructed, stepping out of the SUV.Nikolai stood beside me, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of rival reinforcements.“The clerk in the basement finally spilled the beans,” Nikolai said quietly. “He was receiving instructions through an encrypted server. The IP address traces back to Milan.”“The Valenti family,” I muttered.“It seems so. They've been looking for a way into the southern markets for months, ultimate
TESSAA dull, persistent ache pulsed through my body, but my hands took it the hardest, numb and covered in blisters.“Ouch, it hurts,” I hissed as Miriam dabbed an antiseptic on my palm.“Sorry, Ma'am,” she whispered, trying to be more gentle.Caterina stood beside us, holding a first aid kit. The room had been cleaned up, and the antiques were replaced.“I’ll never forgive Pierre for this,” I muttered more to myself than them.They didn't respond. They never did when I spoke ill of him. And as a matter of fact, their silence was a testament to the fear he commanded.At that moment, the door opened, and Pierre walked in.“Speak of the devil… literally.” My mind screamed.Miriam stopped cleaning my wounds. She stood up, both maids dropping into a curtsy. “Good morning, Don.”I rolled my eyes, feeling a sting of rage. Not the kind that made me want to scream or break things; I had already tried that and it landed me in this state. It was the kind of anger that made me realize the man I
Rafael Salvatore. How did I not see it coming? Of course it was him. He was a good friend of Don Alejandro, or so we thought. Hence, it would only be proper if I paid him a visit myself.The Salvatore mansion was a twenty-seven minutes drive from the estate. It sat on a hill, enclosed by high stone walls and a wrought-iron gate, while still under the watch of armed men who stood far apart.The gates opened before I reached them, and even after I’d successfully cleared the security detail, cameras tracked my car as it climbed the long driveway.Don Rafael had been in the game for decades. He was late middle-aged with the kind of money that spoke of generations, not luck. A vineyard stretched out behind the mansion, row after orderly row. It was more than land to him.I insisted no one came with me.A small plane circled low in the sky, evenly distributing what seemed like pesticide. The engine droned steadily the entire time.I adjusted my cufflinks as though this were a business meeti
I returned home to find a small crowd of worried staff gathered outside Tessa's room. The men who stood guard repeatedly knocked on her door, while Miriam and Caterina did the pleading.“Please, Ma’am, stop what it is you're doing! You may get hurt!”The sea of bodies immediately parted as I approached.“What's going on here? What happened to her?” I demanded, struggling to hide my fear.I quickly unlocked the door and found Tessa standing on her bed, the night lamp in her hand. She looked a mess, which somehow only complimented the bedroom, now reduced to a complete pigsty.“What is this nonsense?” I snarled, feeling relief. She had destroyed, smashed and ripped everything in sight.“You caged me up in here, like some kind of beast, right?” She hissed furiously, walking toward me. “I'm just playing the part.”Before I could stop myself, my hand moved, landing a back-handed slap on her face.A collective gasp erupted behind me. I didn't have to look to know they had covered their mout
PIERRETessa had been locked in for two whole days. It was the only punishment I could think of. And as much as it hurt me, she needed to be taught a lesson, so I forced myself to care less. Gone are the days people messed with me. I was Riccardo Pierre now, not the idiot kid they treated unjustly ten years ago.I was walking down the hallway toward her room when my phone chimed with an incoming call.“We’ve got culprits, Don. Three in total, but one didn't make it through questioning,” Antonio spoke over the phone.“Took you long enough,” I replied, ending the call.Change of plans. I turned toward my office where Nikolai had been busy handling paperwork.“Antonio sent word. Get the car.”Nikolai didn't hesitate. He gathered the files, set them aside, and strode out.We drove to a stop at the heavily guarded entrance of one of my hideouts. I stepped out, and Nikolai followed me in.From the outside, the building looked abandoned—cracked concrete and rusted shutters. In other words, i
TESSAI missed Andrew so much. Only God knew how lean he must have become trying to find me.As if that were not enough, this room threatened my sanity. I hated the way I felt: imprisoned and obliged. It was just a matter of six months.But on the other hand, I felt alive. These past few weeks had been wonderful. Pierre made sure I got every and anything I wanted so long as it didn't concern leaving.I was pampered, honored and obeyed. Yet, I couldn't walk out of my room freely without an armed guard following me down the hall, not to mention how much I missed my job back in LA.“Ugghh!” I groaned sickly, covering my face with a pillow. Maybe I was being too soft.I got out of bed, and exited the room.“Where is your boss?” I asked a maid who was dusting the flower vase that decorated the hallway.“In his study, Ma'am,” she replied, dropping into a curtsy, her eyes never crossing mine.“Take me there,” I instructed the guards tailing me.I didn't knock. I simply opened the heavy door







