Chapter 5
Chapter 5
DARIO
Velan is already in my office with a few of my men when I arrive.
“Everyone out. Except you.” I grit out, trying to keep control, pointing at her.
After everything that just happened, she’s the last person I want to see right now. Velan has always been jealous and possessive over me, even knowing she’s nothing more than a distraction.
Despite being known as the Black Widow, she’s obedient and discreet—exactly how a mistress should be.
That’s one of the reasons I still keep her around, besides the fact that she’s sensible and efficient at her job. But apparently, not even that is working anymore.
“I gave you one job and expected you to get it done!” I growl, feeling the anger rise.
“They’re all dead.”
“Did you find out how this happened?”
“Looks like they got the license plate last night when she saved you and followed her to her house.”
“Bastards! I want eyes on her at all times. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Fuck…”
“We also found the person who leaked your location.”
“Bring him to me.”
“Yes, sir.” She heads for the door.
“Velan…” I call, making her stop and look at me. “If anything happens to her… you’ll pay with your life.” I warn, watching her give a stiff nod.
I know Velan well enough to see my threat just pissed her off.
Pulling off the bloodstained black gloves, I toss them onto the desk. Sometimes getting information means getting your hands dirty with trash—like the one I just sent to hell.
Torture works, but it’s never punishment enough for a traitor. Death is always the best example.
The next one I’ll send to hell will be Mattia Lucchese. The bastard never got over the accident where his parents and sister died in place of mine.
Since then, he and his family have declared themselves my worst enemies. But now he’s gone too far: first trying to set me up, and now going after Sophia because she saved me.
He’ll pay with his life. But first, I’ll burn his business to the ground.
I drop into my chair, but the phone rings. Who the hell calls at this hour?
“You really can’t do anything right, can you, boy?” my grandfather says, annoyed, as soon as I answer.
“I’ve had enough shit for one day. Whatever it is, spit it out.”
“She wants a divorce.”
“Good. About time.”
I’ve been expecting this. The contract expired, and I knew this day would come.
“How can you be happy about losing a woman like that?”
I never understood why my grandfather likes my fake wife so much. Maybe because I never even bothered to learn her real name.
Unlike him, I never wanted her dragged into this mess.
“It makes me wonder if I was wrong to put you in charge, since you can’t even manage your own marriage.”
“I’ll say this one last time: it’s what’s best for her. I’m only keeping her safe. I don’t want her living her whole life in fear, like my mother.” I hang up, my patience gone.
Losing my parents to this life isn’t enough? I don’t need more innocents caught in it.
Minutes later, Velan comes back to haunt me. She walks into my office and moves silently toward my desk.
She straddles my lap and tries to kiss me.
“Get out,” I say, indifferent.
There’s only one woman I want right now—and it’s not her.
But Velan doesn’t quit, slipping her hand toward the inside of my pants.
“Don’t make me repeat myself.” I snarl, making her get off me.
✽ ✽ ✽
SOPHIA
I always knew my suspicions about my parents’ accident weren’t baseless. And this morning, the detective I hired finally sent me the evidence of the mine collapse, proving I was right.
I’m rereading the email when another one comes in. I click to open it.
“You should stop while you’re still breathing.”
A chill runs through me as I read it. As expected, the sender is anonymous. But it’s clearly a threat, telling me to stop investigating or my life will come to an end.
But I won’t stop. Not now that the detective has found a possible witness with information about the accident.
I just need to find a way to meet this person.
Leaving the computer, I head to my bedroom to get ready for work. There’s so much running through my mind right now. And one of those things is Salvatore.
It was nearly impossible to sleep last night after what we did in that hallway. I couldn’t close my eyes without thinking about him.
I’m still trying to figure out what happened between us, and I can’t get over the fact that he’s the same man I saved the other day.
How did I not realize? And why does none of this make sense? That man seemed dangerous, and Salvatore is just a university professor.
Even though Chloe explained his grandfather is someone important, the pieces still don’t fit. And the fact that I’m attracted to him only makes it worse.
How did a stranger make me this turned on with just a kiss?
On top of that, I think I agreed to go out with him. I need to remind myself I’m not completely free yet.
By the way, did Joseph manage to talk to my fake husband?
✽
I’m at work when Chloe calls me.
“I hope this is important. I’ve got a ton of work,” I say.
“We’re going on a trip,” she replies, almost squealing.
“Did you say we?”
“A certain friend called me earlier.”
“I still don’t see how that involves me.”
“Because the friend is Salvatore.”