Chapter 24: Moments.I liked the pistol, though. I had already thought about bringing my own gun, just in case. My phone's light was on display because of its vibration. Good, I was about to ask Adriano what all of that was for.Adriano: Did you get my gift?Me: Yes. It's a very strange gift.Adriano chuckles. "It is. Well, my company has an event. Members of the company's affiliates have to be there, and as my wife, you'll have to accompany.""Oh." Was all I said. Maybe it was a good chance for me to learn more about his mafia. "The gun, will there be enemies there?""There are enemies everywhere, my love, even around us." He made a good point. "I thought since you are a skilled shooter, you can't always depend on my men. So it's better if you had a gun with you wherever you go.""Thank you." I subconsciously smiled at his consideration. What was I doing?"I'll pick you up by seven pm tomorrow.""I'll be ready.""I miss you.""Do you?" I sat on the bed, mindlessly swinging my legs."A
Chapter 25: Still IsIt was time to prepare to play the perfect Mafia wife, except that I'd be writing my script. I'm not going to allow anyone to look down on me. They'll expect me to walk around following him or stay put. I didn't care that I had to be perfect for Adriano like Maria said, sure I was going to be hiding my intentions but I'd never shy away from my true nature.After Evonne helped me properly straighten my hair and styled it with pretty pins, I excused her so I could dress myself. I was going for simple yet elegant. Obsessed with black clothing, I chose the black one-piece cotton long blazer formal dress. The heels were not what I wanted, I wasn't so tall so I fancied lengthy heels to accentuate my height.I picked out my plain black heels, Rafaelle got them for me. He's really the best godfather anyone could ever ask for. Too much jewelry wasn't going to do. I liked showing off my beautiful neckline and collarbones so I wore a simple customized chain with Serena on it
Chapter 26: Good ChampagneAdriano and I made small talk on our way to the party. I noticed that he was not satisfied with Stefano's presence, and neither was I. He was supposed to rest for fourteen days. However, Adriano had other reasons as to why Stefano shouldn't be with us; it was against his orders.We arrived at a party hall painted white. It was beautiful. I saw a sign indicating the 60th anniversary of Adriano's company."Why didn't you tell me it was the company's anniversary?" I questioned him."I forgot as well," he shrugged. It was strange; how could he forget the anniversary of the company his grandfather and father worked hard to establish?There were huge, bulky men guarding the doors and checking invites. It seemed like a red carpet event because different cars and limousines pulled up. Each couple and guest was clad in formal dinner attire, white, blue, or black. It made sense why Adriano got me those blazers."Ready?" Adriano pulled me out of my lost eye-wandering sp
Chapter 27: Luca Di SalvoMy plan to get more champagne failed, as dinner commenced immediately after the toast. I went with Adriano and got the grilled steak along with some red wine. After that, Adriano had to say hi to the guests, and my legs were starting to ache from standing and walking for so long."Are you tired, Bella?" Adriano noticed."No, I just need more champagne," I groaned."Waiter!" He summoned a waiter. "Get my wife some champagne.""How many glasses?" he whispered to me."One will do," I whispered back. That was a glass I needed a lot more than one; the brand they served was so good. I jolted in alert as someone tapped me from behind.My jaw dropped as I saw Rosaline, Grace's daughter, aka the one I grew up with, aka Maria's favorite assassin."Don Adri," I marveled at the voice that came out from the tall hunk beside her; she must've been on a mission. I felt bad for the hunky who was to die."Ro-""Serena," she stopped me from calling her by her code name. She alwa
Chapter 28: Luca Di Salvo (2)[ADRIANO'S POV]"Which one should I get?" I looked at the black and blue blazers. I didn't want my woman looking too attractive to other men."I can't believe you bent your morals for her," Pietro said, expressing his disappointment, as expected from a supposed mentor."She's my wife.""A woman isn't supposed to interfere in such matters. Put your home in control!""I believe my father appointed you as my mentor and personal assistant, not my personal chief counselor," I warned. "What happens in my home is none of your business.""Fine. My apologies for intruding," Pietro said, offering a half-hearted apology. "Know that Serena is a fiery ticking time bomb, if you keep giving her what she-""I married her because she was a fiery ticking time bomb. I dread spending the rest of my life with a laid-back sulking woman who does everything I want her to. I want a challenge," I sighed. "I don't want a woman like my mother. Her quiet nature ended her.""She died fr
Chapter 29: Missing Pieces"Ugh." I woke up with a terrible hangover. Sitting up, I rubbed my temple and massaged the sides of my head with both hands. Taking in my surroundings, I came to my senses. The party! Rosaline! My champagne! Adriano!"You're up." His voice made me turn my head. His wet hair fell flat, sticking to his forehead. Water dropped from his hair to his face and then to his exposed chest. The bathrobe gave an excellent view of how well-toned his upper body was. He gently wiped his face with a small face towel."Yeah." He stared at me with an expression I couldn't fathom. I prayed within me that I hadn't done something stupid at the party. I tried hard at that moment, but it remained impossible to remember anything from when I bumped into a man. That man, there was something ominous about him I wished I knew what it was. I wished to remember him vividly."You're sober, yet your attention isn't on me?" I didn't notice how fast he moved from the bathroom door to hovering
Chapter 30: Dear, Brother.ADRIANO'S POV~•~"Luca, get away from my wife," I glowered."She's your wife?" Luca scoffed. "Well." He paused, meeting my wife's eyes. "Seems like it.""Why are there two of you?" Serena mumbled."There can only be one of me," Luca cockily smiled."Like you could ever be like me," I retorted."Aren't you going to give your brother a hug? After all, it's been years," he said plainly."Two years isn't exactly a long time. We had to pretend like it was okay, so those far from us wouldn't notice.""Can I take her with me?" Angeline suggested."Can you handle her?""What? I can handle myself," Serena rolled her eyes."I have pins with poison.""Cool," Luca grinned."Chinese people know the good stuff," she said smugly."I'll leave her with you.""Black-""Let's get you seated," she took Serena by her arm."Does she work for you?" Luca referred to Angeline."She's with Rick," I told him. The three of us used to be acquainted."I see. He's lucky.""Yeah, yeah," I
Chapter 31: I'm testing.ADRIANO'S POV~•~"Do you really?" I brought my face closer to hers, our noses almost touching."I-I don't-"I chuckled at her reaction. "You're cute.""You confuse me," she blurted."I confuse everyone.""Whatever," she threw her head back ridiculously, almost hitting the car window.My forehead creased at her action, and I raised my eyebrow. "What are you doing?""Your face was too close.""You could have just said so.""Oh," she brought her head back up."I think I like you this way," I snickered. "I'll be letting your hands go now.""Finally," she mumbled, but I heard her."But you won't be taking off your dress," I added. "You can do that when we're alone." I let my breath fan her neck to tease her, and I was pleased I got a reaction from her as her face and ears turned beet red."I-I'll take i-it off," she slurred adamantly."I have some champagne with me. I'll give you some if you don't.""Liar.""I'm not lying." It was a lie. I just needed to get her to