5

AZZURA

I was on top of the world.

At least, that’s how it felt as I walked down the street. The weight of my actions weighed my pockets town but left my chest feeling light.

The things I had stolen from Adriano—his money, his precious accessories—had been nothing more than a ticket to freedom. It felt like a light at the end of the tunnel.

I’d sold the jewelry, the watches, and the ring, to a local store. I didn’t get the full value for it. I knew that. I didn’t care. I needed cash, and I needed it fast.

And what I’d gotten from the selection I’d dropped off was more than enough for now.

The price they gave me didn’t matter much; I wasn’t in a position to haggle. The important thing was the money I got from selling those items went straight into the hands of the loan sharks who had been breathing down my neck for weeks.

It wasn’t enough to pay them off entirely, but it cleared part of the debt, enough to buy me a little more time.

Time to breathe. Time to hope.

I felt lighter.

I could almost forget, just for a while, the fact that my life had been reduced to this—stealing, lying, scheming.

Being someone I truly wasn’t for nights on end just to make sure my family didn’t suffer.

I didn’t choose this life. But sometimes, it was all you could do. For family. For survival.

The money from Adriano’s things had covered part of the debt, but I needed more.

There was still so much left to pay, and the sharks didn’t care about any of my excuses.

They didn’t care about the fact that I had two little sisters to look after, college tuition to pay, or that I worked at a grocery store for barely enough to keep the lights on.

No, they wanted their money, and they wanted it now.

I put those thoughts aside as I crossed the street to the grocery store I worked at.

And then, I saw it.

A tinted Range Rover parked along the curb.

The vehicle was sleek, and looked expensive. My heart stopped for a split second.

The moment I spotted the car, a chill ran down my spine but I shook my head, burning away the possibility.

Someone of his status would never be caught in this part of town and nothing I’d taken from Adriano Giordano would be enough for him to look for me.

He owned assets upon assets, and I’d only scrambled away with chicken change.

I pushed open the staff door to the grocery store, making my way toward the cashier space.

My shift was over in a few hours. My friend was covering for me, giving me the chance to clear my mind a little. I needed it, badly.

The world seemed to move just a little slower, and I couldn’t help but glance at my surroundings as I walked.

Come off it, Azzura, you’re being paranoid.

I sighed, clutching my bad as I fixed on my pin, “I’m here, I’m here.”

But when I walked in, everything stopped.

My breath caught in my throat.

And like a vision from my worst nightmare, our gazes locked.

He was here.

Adriano Giordano.

Standing there in the center of the cashier space, looking as menacing as ever. His presence was overwhelming.

He stood out like a wolf in a flock of sheep, his dark eyes locked on me, his jaw tight.

Everything about the way his tall frame crowded the room was commanding.

I suddenly didn’t know how to breathe anymore.

I didn’t know how he had found me, but I knew one thing for sure.

I was in trouble.

The room was silent, too silent. I glanced around, and I saw the fear in my co-workers’ eyes. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife.

It was as if the entire store had frozen in place.

Just because of one man.

My co-worker, nervously and with wide eyes, suddenly mouthed, “Run!”

And I did.

I didn’t think.

I just ran.

I bolted for the door, my heart pounding, my feet moving faster than they ever had before.

The moment I pushed through the staff door, I felt a rush of adrenaline. But before I could even get a good head start, I heard the sound of footsteps behind me.

Heavy.

Fast.

Determined.

Adriano was chasing me.

He was gaining on me—his stride longer, faster. There was no way I could outrun him. And yet, I pushed myself harder, my heart pounding like a base drum in my chest, as my breaths came in ragged gasps.

But then he was there, a shadow falling over me. In seconds, his hand was on my shoulder, spinning me around.

His grip was firm, unyielding, like steel.

“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice was low, tight with anger, the kind of anger that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up

He was breathing heavily, but it wasn’t from exertion. I could see it the moment I looked in his eyes.

It was from anger.

“Where are the things you stole from me?” His voice was low, but there was no mistaking the demand in it.

I swallowed hard, my heart still racing. I knew I couldn’t lie to him. Not anymore. He would see right through me.

How the hell did he even find me?

“I sold them,” I said, my voice barely a whisper. “I had no choice. I needed the money.”

The anger in his eyes flared, but there was something else there, too. Something darker.

A wounded pride, maybe. I didn’t know.

But it didn’t matter.

He wasn’t going to let this slide. Not by a long shot.

“We’re going to get them back,” he said, his voice flat, cold.

I didn’t have a choice, not with his grip tightening on my arm. I had to go with him. I led him to the jeweler where I’d sold the items, my mind racing with every step.

The store was a small, unassuming place, hidden away in a corner of the city. I knew the owner well enough. He’d always been discreet, never asking too many questions.

When we walked in, the jeweler didn’t even flinch. He knew Adriano’s reputation. But when Adriano asked for the items back, the jeweler didn’t budge. He held up his hands and shook his head.

“I paid her for these already. They’re mine now,” the jeweler said, his voice tight with nervousness.

“Not without giving me my money back,” Adriano said, his voice a low growl. “If you want to keep the items, you’ll return the money you paid her.”

I could see the jeweler’s dilemma. He couldn’t afford to anger Adriano, but he also couldn’t just hand over the money. I had a sinking feeling that this was going to get ugly.

“Listen,” the jeweler said, trying to calm the situation. “I can’t just give you the money. I have my costs, too.”

Adriano’s eyes narrowed, and I could see the frustration building in him. He wasn’t going to walk away without what he wanted. He was like a lion with his prey in sight. And I was right in the middle of it all.

“I don’t care about your costs,” Adriano said, his voice dripping with menace. “Give me the money. Now.”

The jeweler hesitated, then nodded shakily.

He knew he had no other choice.

Eventually, he handed over the cash.

“Now, give me the ring.”

The jeweler complied, handing over the ring along with the other accessories.

Adriano turned to me, and for a moment, it felt like everything had frozen. I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could, he took my arm and yanked me toward the door.

“Let’s go,” he said, his voice hard.

I tried to resist, to pull away, but it was useless. Adriano was too strong. He was also burning with fury, and there was nothing I could do to change that.

When we were out on the street, I turned to him, my voice trembling.

“Adriano, please. I—I’m sorry.”

But men like him didn’t care. They weren’t interested in hearing apologies.

And I knew that his greatest desire right now was making sure I understood the consequences of my actions.

I could feel it.

Before I knew what was happening, he hauled me over his shoulder. My protests were useless. I kicked and struggled, but it was like fighting against a wall.

He wasn’t listening.

He wasn’t going to let me go.

I didn’t know how to get out of this. But then, just as I thought I might pass out from exhaustion, I felt a sharp sting in my arm.

I froze.

“What did you—” I started to say, but the words died in my throat as the world started to blur around the edges. I felt my body go limp in his arms, everything fading away.

The last thing I heard before I lost consciousness was Adriano’s voice, cold and distant.

“Now you’ll be taught a lesson you’ll never forget.”

And then, everything went black.