RODRIGO’S POV The evening skies were littered with stars, and the night breeze was calm and relaxing, creating the perfect opportunity to sit outside and catch a breath. As I sat by the pool in the evening, the cool breeze playing with my hair, I held a glass of whiskey in my hand, the amber liquid swirling gently as I stirred the glass absentmindedly. The whole bottle rested on the floor beside my chair, a silent companion to my solitude. The pool water shimmered under the fading sunlight, its surface rippling with a hypnotic dance. It offered a brief distraction from the turmoil brewing within me. I was lost in my thoughts when Anthonio's quiet presence interrupted my solitude. He joined me by the poolside, his footsteps barely audible against the soft murmur of the evening. He informed me that he had gathered as much information as possible about Don. Anthonio spoke of Don's private and enigmatic nature, but I found it hard to focus on his words. Anthonio's concern wa

TANYA’S POVI looked up from the page and glanced around. To call or not to call, that was the question. I felt disoriented and pissed that he had only left a call number for me after all the trouble I went through to get here. I ticked the paper into my purse, making a mental note to call later when I was in the house. Then, a thought popped into my mind. Would that even be possible? Rodrigo probably had listening devices in every room of his house. I had already seen security cameras at strategic places, and they were so small I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't searched for them. The lack of privacy pissed me off at first, but I understood why he needed them. He lived a dangerous life, so he had to keep constant watch. I only wished I wasn't dragged into his danger. It was because I him I was in this scenario. I guess I wouldn't be able to call at home then. I sat on one of the chairs and waved off the approached waiter. I punched in the digits and listened to the monotonous ri

TANYA’S POVI averted my eyes from Rodrigo's intimidating glare as he studied me. The sunlight through the open windows highlighted his features, adding to his commanding presence. Why did he care if I seemed upset? My earlier conviction that he had sinister intentions was wavering, but I couldn't afford to let my guard down."No, it's better if I don't pay too much attention to this," I thought. But then, my mind drifted to the men he fought off at the ice cream shop that day. There had to be some truth to his concern for me.I mentally chastised myself for pondering something so trivial when I had a much bigger secret to keep. Rodrigo asked for the truth, but revealing it would mean instant death. I wasn't ready for that; I'd rather run than stay here and face his wrath for betrayal.I considered that when I went to my room a few minutes after returning to the house. We still went to the mall to get a few things to make my outing appear convincing, even if the interest in shopping h

TANYA’S POV "Mistress, someone's outside waiting to see you," Maria said, standing before my open door. "Fabio," I whispered, looking up from what I was writing. I'd been drafting out questions that I would ask him as I subtly tried to lead him to reveal something important about Rodrigo. "I'll be down in an instant. Let him wait in the parlor," I said. Maria nodded and backed away from the doorway. My eyes skimmed through the words I had written. What are his hobbies? What was his routine like before we got married? What are the laws guiding leadership of the Mafia world? What is his backstory? They weren't hard for me to remember, but I just hoped I wouldn't freeze up when actually faced with speaking with Fabio. I couldn't. This was my life on the line, and this was my only chance to get my stranger something tangible. I felt like I needed more, but I couldn't think anymore. My mind was back to breakfast, where Rodrigo so shamelessly justified killing Sandez. He literally sai

RODRIGO’S POVI sat behind my work table, staring at my hands. Hands I had used to choke Tanya. It would have been so easy to kill her instantly, but the worst part was that I could have done it. Even now that I didn't, I felt too much regret already, so if I had, I probably wouldn't have been able to live with myself."Fuck!" I cursed, throwing everything off my table in one swift motion. It's a good thing there were just bunches of paper on it. I would have gotten even angrier if I destroyed something valuable.Mostly, I wanted to know why Tanya had to go behind my back and invite Fabio over. Even after I warned her and instructed her not to speak to them without being spoken to first. I sighed. As much as I wanted to hear the answer, I was pretty sure she wouldn't tell me a thing, not now after the way I threatened her.My phone chimed with an alarm. It was nearly dinner time. Well, that was not my business. I wasn't going. I couldn't sit opposite her and have her stare at me in fe