(Isaias' POV)

Rome, Italy

Logan parked the black Lexus on the street, behind a blue Mercedes Sedan. Across it, where the restaurant called Olive garden, and where I'm meeting the woman by the name of Celyne. The tinted black Lincoln — where my other men, discreetly following us — parked two cars behind us.

It's past two in the afternoon, and I'm an hour late.

We actually arrived here on time, but I decided to watch her first, to make sure she's legit. We arrived here in Rome three days ago, but I had to do a quick background check before meeting her.

I found some common information about her.

She's the daughter of a lawyer named Ricardo Altamonte, and she just passed her bar exam last year, and now working under her father. She's 36 and just recently married with her childhood boyfriend who was a fireman, and with no kid.

"Boss," Mason slid into the backseat quickly shutting the door beside him and reported what was happening inside briefly. "It's confirmed. It's her, in a yellow dress, near the entrance, by the window," Mason briefly said, and I look over by the window of the Olive garden, and saw her watching every customer entering the door.

"No company?" I asked, eyes still trained at her direction.

"Alone, boss," Mason replied shortly.

I nodded. "Watch for any suspicious movements," I ordered darkly as I fix my coat, and then opened the door and smoothly climbed out of the car. Shrugging my shoulders, I buttoned the coat as I strode across the road, and towards the entrance door. She was staring at me as soon as I walked in. Stop as soon as I got in, my eyes furtively scan the room briefly.

I don't really need to scan the restaurant. I already studied every angle, corner of the room. I know where the two fire exit doors. One, at the kitchen, and the other, next to the washrooms.

I caught in the corner of my eyes the two men in black leather jacket two tables away from her. Most of the diners were in a semi-formal attire. Mostly couples are there.

The young one has a jet black hair, swept back up, with a long beard, while the other one that probably in his early thirties, had a ginger red shaggy hair, short stubbles, wearing sunglasses, inside the restaurant?

Interesting.

I smirked as I casually look at the brunette woman staring at me with impatience. Her curly hair was tied in a bun, a few strands framing her oval face. She's petite and has a brown doe-eyes adorned with thick lashes, high cheekbone, small aquiline nose, and thin lips. She was wearing a simple black short sleeve dress.

Her eyes flash a tinge of hesitation as I sauntered towards her, and when I stop at her table, she stood up abruptly.

"Mr. Vitale?" more like a question, and I nodded stoically.

"I'm Celyne Altamonte," she extended her hand and I accepted it, never said a word, then pulled the chair across her and sat.

"You don't want to talk over the phone, but you want to meet in a crowded restaurant?" I started monotonously as soon as I sat. My tone ensnared with menace than I intended it to be. I cocked my eyebrow with my face gave nothing away.

She looks tensed, and I smirked.

"I thought it's safer here." She responded briefly, shrugging her shoulders, her eyes briefly rounded the room. I notice her empty teacup, her pasta half-eaten. "I don't know what's running in the President's head, or your grandfather's cousin. I don't know who's after my father and because of this goddamn will." She started ranting unceremoniously, then pulled a brown envelope from her purse, and place it on the table, and slides it towards me. "That's the will and all the rights of the properties he left you. You can only claim that if you go back to the D'Antonio's estate in Venice and run the winery that had been in your family since time immemorial. That's the condition, but heck, I can't wait. My father almost died because of that reason!" she let out a loud frustrated sigh, "anyway, the condition wasn't stated in the will," she looks a little satisfied at the thought, "Mr. D' Antonio just left the words to my father, and when he finally found you, his car exploded." Her teeth clenching, then she paused, swallowing thickly as she tried to calm herself, she continued, "I'm glad he got out of the car before it caught fire, but he broke his leg and his ribs when he jumps out of the car." She was trying to suppress her true emotions, pausing once in a while as she continued. I wasn't really paying attention. I was calculating how am I going to get her out of here. "He was heading to the tarmac to see you when his car caught on fire," she stared at me with her eyes glistening, she looks terrified, maybe things starting to sink into her head. I was just silent, hearing but not listening, still wearing that cold, stoic face since I walked in here. My whole system was working like a radar, too vigilant around us.

A young black-haired waitress approached our table. "Are you ready to order, sir?" she asked.

I look up at her coldly. "I'll order later," in a low cold tone as I waved my hand to dismiss her. She nodded apprehensively and left hastily leaving us alone again.

I stared at the troubled brunette across me. "My father almost died because of that will, Mr. Vitale. I don't want my father to suffer just because of the old Lorenzo's orders to my father. What can he do anyway? He's dead!" She grits out as she clenched her teeth. Her Italian accent became more pronounced as her anger growing.

"Is there anything you would like to ask?" she asked sarcastically, looking a little agitated by the second, her forehead furrowing. I could see lines of irritation on her face. She probably couldn't wait to get out of here and be done with me, but too bad, she's been watched, and probably the person behind this already knew what was happening.

I stared at her hard. I caught her clenching her teeth following by pursing her lips. All of my attention is fully aware of the surroundings as I let her rant. I could feel eyes staring at us, even if I don't have to look behind me.

I took the envelope and folded it twice. I unbuttoned my coat, then carefully slid in the folded envelope inside the breast pocket of my coat, then shrugged my shoulders carelessly. Celyne was just watching me, thoroughly vexed.

I took the phone out of my pocket, dialed Mason furtively as I leaned forward, my eyes stared back at her while the phone is connecting. "Ms. Altamonte, listen to me very carefully," I casually said in a very low tone, causing her to lean forward agitatedly. "I suggest, you go out, casually, when the alarm rang. Don't turn your head or panic, just head straight out. A black Lexus will stop right in front of you, and get inside quickly. I'll meet you soon, I'll just need to take a leak." She suddenly looks around her, and I scowled at her grimly. "Don't turn your head, Ms. Altamonte. When the alarm rang, then go, capisce?" I hissed with gruffness, still in a low voice.

She nodded nervously as she collects her stuff. Terror now etched all over her face. "Relax, Altamonte. Just do as I say, and everything will be fine. We are being watched," I said barely a whisper and she nodded furiously.

I leaned back in my chair, and cross my leg over the other. "Can I go now?" she asked softly, holding her brown purse on her lap. The fierceness on her face is gone, now filled with fear. I scowled at her.

Was she listening to me the whole time?

Stifling the urge to leave her alone — but I need more answers to all the questions eating my whole sanity now — I barely shook my head, once, too faint to notice, and she nodded.

My eyes darted to the right corner, a small, short hallway to the washrooms. Behind the counter where the kitchen, across the entrance door. "I'll go take a leak, when the alarm rang, then go," I whispered as I pick up the phone with the line still connected. I rose up and furtively looks around as I button my coat. At the corner of my eyes, I saw the two men, watching me, and they suddenly became alerted.

Shrugging my shoulders carelessly, I nodded at Celyne, before striding towards the washroom. "Pick me up at Notte, I want the two man in a black leather jacket, one with jet black hair and ginger red shaggy, two tables down across her," I said briefly, and then hang up the call. As soon as I saw the exit door adjacent to the washroom door, I stop. I look around me, and it was hidden from the view, I strode towards the washroom door, casually listened behind the door, it was quiet. I step back until I was facing the exit door again, then smirked when the small green box staring back at me, just before the door lever handle.

I quickly pulled the gun from the holster and used the bottom of the handle to break the glass. I put the gun back in the holster, then fix my coat as I casually look around me. And then press the button causing the alarm to go off, then quickly push the door open and strode out. I heard the alarm blaring, and then a chaos followed inside before the door shut.

I walked briskly towards the Notte Street without looking back, a few meters away, and just as I reached the sidewalk, the black Lexus came into a view and stop right in front of me. I quickly slid in, and then closed the door. The car sped as quickly as I shut it, and then I notice Celyne sitting next to me.

"Hello again, Ms. Altamonte!" I smirked darkly.

"What is your game, Mr. Vitale?" she asked, her face grim.

"You're welcome, Ms. Altamonte!" I scowled gravely with my sarcastic tone. "I just saved your ass, Ms. Altamonte. You were followed," I stressed darkly, and her grim face morphs into fear.

"DIO!" she palmed her mouth with her eyes widening in fear.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of them." I tried to console her. Not that it really matter to me. "Now, tell me why my grandfather, whom I never met, has to give it all to me his fortune? He has a son as far as I remember?" I asked, barely contained my curiosity, as I leaned comfortably against the plush leather seat.

She shook her head. "I don't know either. If you want answers, my father perhaps knows the reason, but he can't talk to anyone yet," her glassy eyes stared up at me. That's when I notice that she's smaller than my Angel.

Oh, I missed her already, but I had to control the urge to talk to her. I'll call her when I get back, maybe surprise her.

I quickly shook the overwhelming longings starting to cloth me, and face the shaky girl beside me. "So when can I talk to your father?" I asked. Logan was just driving around the city.

"I don't know. I'll let you know when the doctor allows him," she choked out.

I nodded. Curiosity is burning now in my chest.

I haven't met this man Lorenzo D' Antonio. The richest man in whole Italy, who owned D'Antonio real estates, the billion dollar D'Antonio winery estate since the 17th century, and the D'Antonio's banks; Italy First Financial Banks, scattered all over Italy. He's a very private man, a lot of rumors links to him, but I didn't pay much attention, I don't really care about my roots.

And then again, I have no choice now, but to face my past, because no matter how I avoided it, it is catching up with me, and it is just starting.

"Is there anything I need to know?" I asked again without looking at her.

She was too quiet so I turn to look at her. She was staring out the window, lost. I tore my eyes away as I waited for her response impatiently, my fingers tapping on my thighs. "I remember, I overheard them once, Mr. D' Antonio was disappointed with his son."

"Why would he be disappointed with him? He's very successful," I stated impassively.

I felt her stares trained on me. "He's a greedy man. He wants your grandfather to transfer the rights of the D'Antonio estates, but the old man refused to. I don't understand his reason why he doesn't want to give it to him, and he's the only son. The President was very angry at him. My father also thinks, he killed him," she explained, and I slowly turn my head to look at her. Mixed of emotions graced her face, but fear dominated it. "And he's after your grandfather's will," her voice shakily as she gulps thickly.

"Am I still safe?" she choked out after a short paused, suppressing her tears.

I let out a sighed, and slowly shook my head. She's already been caught. She broke out, cupping her face with her shaky hands, she burst into tears. "I'll find out who sent those two," I said, causing her to look up, dropping her palms on her lap, her face damp.

"Who's two?" she asked bewildered, a little disoriented as she stared at me.

"There were two men watching you, Ms. Altamonte, even before I arrived," I said cautiously, "but I'll take care of those two," I said briefly, and her horrified expression slowly disappears. Wiping her cheeks carelessly with the pad of her fingers, her body radiates with fear, she shook her head.

"My husband, my father," she muttered softly, her eyes silently pleading at me. "They will be after them," panic rose on her tone.

"Who's watching your father?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Nobody. I just left quickly. My husband is at work, he can't take some time off. He already used it all," she responded momentarily.

"Where's your father?" I asked.

"At the hospital. Roma General Care Hospital. He was confined there until he recuperated," she sobs.

I look at Logan who was focused on driving. "Drive straight to Roma General Care Hospital, Logan," I ordered coldly as I scowled at the windshield mindlessly. The road wasn't busy.

Logan detoured, and then hit the road to the hospital which wasn't far from where we are. As soon as the car parked in the huge parking lot of the old three-story building, she quickly climbs out of the car. "Watch here, I'll follow her," I ordered gravely, and then climb out of the car briskly.

I watch her walking, running like she was being chased, and then run up the wide concrete upstairs towards the huge automatic sliding door. Shrugging my shoulders, I looked around us, the parking lot was half full, and it looks quiet. I strode briskly towards the entrance, following her. My eyes watching her back running, walking along the wide hallways, docking every nurse on the way. I ignored the stares some of the nurses directed at me, and from the corner of my eyes, I saw the back of a nurse entering the exit door with a long curly brown hair.

My eyes quickly averted to Celyne. Just as she got into the empty elevator, I caught her then briskly stepped inside before it closes. She was panting as she stood sulkily on one corner. I watch as the elevator smoothly move ever so slowly, I cursed in my head the whole time.

The elevator stops at the third floor, and as soon as it slides open, she dashes away. I just trailed behind her. I stop and step aside as panicking nurses running, walking, here and there.

"Where's my father?" I heard her asked one of the nurses that came out of the door, two doors down from where I'm standing. I was looking around the wide hallways, everything is in white. I didn't see any suspicious movements. "He's in the ICU, Mrs. Altamonte," I heard a nurse said, then the nurse hastily strode away, Celyne frantically followed her, I just watch her back. As soon as they are out of my sight, I quickly head into the room where her father stayed. The room is empty, a white bed surrounded with hospital machines, over by the big window. I walked towards the bed, there were two pillows. One on the foot of the bed, and the other on the head of the bed. I stared at the pillow sitting on the head of the bed. I noticed the mark of his head on the pillow. My eyes darted to the other one. The edges were crumpled, and then a faint mark, a face. I could tell the mark of a face, something is telling me someone uses this to suffocate the poor old man.

The nurse!

I quickly pulled my phone and dialed Logan as I briskly strode out of the door in haste, following Celyne. It connected right away. "Seize that nurse with long curly brown hair, about 5'7. She took the exit door!" I barked gruffly, and then hang it up without waiting for his response. Stuffing the phone back in my pocket, I look on both hallways, clenching my jaws as I tried to think which way did she go. The hallways are like a maze. I saw a nurse pushing a trolley coming out from a room, coming towards me.

"Do you know where the ICU, miss?" I asked. She smiled sweetly, her stares starting to irritate me.

"Head straight, turn right, then on the fifth door," she said, flashing me another sweet smile.

I just nod and briskly strode off following the direction. I saw Celyne sitting sulkily on the bench against the wall, next to the door, and I felt a little relieved. I quickly strode towards her.

"How is he?" I asked.

She shook her head and then burst into tears. I swallowed thickly. Since I met her, a lot of mysteries happening. "He's dead," she cried out. I don't know how to console her. She looks lost and broken. "The doctor said, he just stop breathing," tears pooling down her cheeks. "I shouldn't have left him. I should have stayed with him," guilt laced in every word, and I felt suddenly responsible for her grief.

I swallowed thickly as I watch her cry. What should I do to stop her crying?

I felt a little sorry, more I felt angry at the person behind her grief.

I ran my hair with my fingers in frustration, pacing back and forth.

After a while, she stops crying. I felt my phone vibrating. I quickly pulled it out. It was Logan. "Boss, we got her. What shall we do with her?" he asked. I could hear the muffled voice of the woman in the background.

"Do whatever you think could make her confess. I want to know who sent her?"

"Yes, boss," with that, I hang it up and called Calder.

"We got the black haired man, boss. The other one escaped," Calder reported wearily.

I clenched my jaw. Puffing an air in frustrations, I stared fiercely into the distance. "Find the other one if you don't want me to tear your limbs, inutile (worthless)!" I barked gruffly. "I need to know who sent them, who are they working with, and what are they after for?" I stressed darkly. When I look at Celyne, she was staring at me with so much fear. "And goddam use that fucker to show you where he could be hiding!" then ended the call.

"I think I am fine now," she looks terribly horrified. She's scared of me. I can't blame her.

"You misjudge these people who are after your father, Ms. Altamonte," I said casually, trying to avoid scowling at her or sound menacing. "And now, they are after you," I stressed, her face filled with dread even more.

"I can't escape them, can I?" she let out a humorless chuckle, trying to show unfazed, but her voice betrayed her.

I shook my head. "Do you know any place where you can hide? Maybe used another name?" I asked.

She stared at me for a moment. "I'll pay whatever cost you, Ms. Altamonte until this settles, then you can go back to your normal life," I explained, and she slowly shook her head.

Then, she stops shaking her head. She stared at me, a little hope flickered in her eyes. "My grandmother's town," she blurted out, her eyes lit up. "In Pedesina." She stared at me with hope rising her in her tone.

I nodded. "I'll drive you to your place now, pack up, then I'll let the pilot arrange the flight sooner. I'll drive you to the tarmac," I ordered steely, and she stared at me, with disapproval.

"How about my father's body? He wanted his body cremated," she muttered softly.

"I'll take care of it, and I'll send you the ashes," I responded briefly.

"My husband?" she asked.

"Do you think you can trust your husband?" I cocked my eyebrow.

She nodded. "Of course," she snaps. And then she sighed. "But he won't be happy when he finds out I already gave you the will. He has been bugging me just give the will to the President so we can be safe now, but my father was too loyal to the old D'Antonio, and I can't betray him, besides, I owed my life now from that old man," she stressed.

I nodded. "Then don't tell anything to your husband. I'll take care of him," I suggested, and she nodded acquiescently. "It will be a temporary, Ms. Altamonte. Just leave it to me," I added, and she nodded again. "Let's go," I ordered coldly.

.

.

Two days later...

"It is Martino Constantini who sent the nurse. And the two men was his dogs," Logan reported. I nodded.

Martino Constantini.

I had to know why is he after the Altamonte.

"Is she settled?" I asked, referring to Celyne.

"Yes, boss. We sent the ashes, too. The husband was too persistent to know where she is, and he's furious when we left his house," Logan smirked.

"Good. I don't trust that man," I said. Hoisting the Swiss gear black laptop case on my shoulder, and then headed out of the hotel to check out.

I'm not done here yet, but I missed Angel terribly. I can't wait to see her. As much as I wanted to stay here, but I couldn't function well, her face keeps popping in my head, and I'm so fucking curious what she's up to. I know two of my men are watching her. And I'm pleased that she was very behaved.

We all head back to the tarmac, where Leone's private plane was waiting. The flight was very boring, and as we get closer, I'm at the edge of my emotions. I was unaware I was smiling then scowl like a lunatic.

The plane landed at exactly nine nine o'clock at night. I quickly undone my seatbelt, and then grab my laptop, shrugging it on my shoulder, I quickly disembarked from the plane, nodding gratefully at the crews, then strode briskly towards the black armored car waiting from a distance.

I was thinking to see her tonight, but then I thought maybe she's resting now since she's been working the whole week. I just decided to just call her. As soon as I sat at the back of the seat, I quickly pulled out my phone, and eagerly dialed her number.

I heard the loud music in the background and several voices, as soon as it connected, then her pitchy voice. "Isaias?" I could hear the excitement in her tone which made me smile.

"Hey," I said, all that exhaustion I felt fade away. And then I heard voices in the background, seems like a party. My jaw clenches. "Where are you?" I asked, my tone sounded stern.

"Ah.. er .." she fumbles. I could hear the hesitation in her tone.

"Where the fuck are you, Angel?" I snapped angrily, scowling at oblivion.

"Caveman," she answered quickly, her tone filled with fear. I wanted to punch my head for making her fear me, but I couldn't contain the anger.

I hang up the phone before I exploded, then barked at Mason who was driving.

"Caveman!" in a controlled but dangerous vibrato.

"Yes, boss," he said and then the car sped off. My jaws felt rooted as I clenched my hands tightly.

.......

A/N: Happy New Year everyone! 

Enjoy Reading!!