Isaias's POV

"He just left his mansion, escorted by his two securities, and heading now to La Vigna Segismonda in black Maserati." Mason relayed. I nodded as I carefully screwed on the silencer, then adjusted the bipod, to completely set up the Titanium built rifle. "I'll give you a beep when there's a problem. Stay alerted," I stressed icily, and end the call. I threw the screwdriver — I used in assembling the rifle — in the black bag where I have all my things for this mission and started positioning myself.

This rifle had never failed me. Fires five rounds in 1.6 seconds which is a faster rate than most would even get close to and had proven that for three long years. So far, the maximum fires I've ever made is two. It was silent but deadly, it can track and take out at a target from half a mile away. It became my baby next to my tracking point rifle. I only used that, when my subject is moving, because it has the ability to lock the laser and can track the movement of the object.

Taking the binocular out of my black leather coat, I look again at the average looking open balcony of the La Vigna eatery where Alfonsini is meeting his friend, the man he thought was his friends and partners. The man who wanted his friend dead.

I smirked. I threw in the binocular inside the bag.

I stretched my leg as I shifted my position, trying to stay hidden in the middle of the wheat farm in the mountain where a perfect spot to see the vast grape yard below, a mile to the decent size old eatery of la Vigna, located five kilometers at the entrance of the vast vineyard.

Even after the shooting, nobody would find me.

Crouching lower, I lay on my chest, my elbows supporting my upper body's weight, my eyes on the telescopic scope, watching the unknown cars entering the famous vineyard. The vineyard is open for tourist, one of the oldest vineyards in Sicily.

I felt the sweat starting to trickle down my forehead and my back. The fiery ball in the sky, glaring harshly over the horizon, reflecting over the golden unharvested wheat. I pulled my hood farther down my forehead when I felt my phone vibrating. I accepted the call using my Bluetooth. "Speak," I started gravely in my lowest timbre, frustrations clear in my tone.

"They just arrived," the voice replied. "So I can see!" I scowled at the telescope as my eyes followed the old tall Alberto while talking to another man in a suit. He was holding his favorite black wooden smoking pipe. They were led by one of the staff inside, and I clenched my jaws as they disappeared into the rundown eatery, uttering strings of profanities as I waited for them to come out to the balcony.

One of the information I gathered, this place is already a tradition to him, having lunch at this old eatery. He lives like thirty minutes away from the place, which made me wonder, what's so special about the place.

Not long, I saw his back and his two other securities joining him at one corner of the long rectangular balcony facing the vast vineyard. The back of the staff is facing me, and I started sighting the range, then input it in the data in my scope, steadying my grip without touching the trigger yet. Still sighting the target range until I was sure I had it accurately, then slip my index finger into the trigger guard and gently touching the trigger while maintaining accuracy range, then fired.

The familiar muffled sound of the rifle is like a music to my ears, causing me to smirked with pride. I saw the people panic as soon as Alberto drops, his white crisp shirt full of blood. One of his security quickly attended him while the other was holding his gun, his eyes scanning the crowd. All the people were on their feet scurrying here and there, with fear, in their faces.

As I was about to tear my eyes away from the telescopic scope when a guy in suit caught my attention. He was sipping his coffee like there's nothing happened, reading his magazine.

Carmine?

My heart suddenly starts beating fast.

It can't be!

He is dead.

I quickly sat up and unscrewed the silencer, then I stuffed it in the bag. My mind still reeling on Carmine Castellano.

Taking the screwdriver out of the bag, I started disassembling the rifle and stuffed it back in the black bag.

My eyes scanned around and it seems, it is still dead from where I am. A faint sound of scream reaches my ears and I smirked. I quickly left the place and headed to the next road, heading back to where I parked my old 1978 Mercedes to an old, barren shack in the middle of an abandoned farm, near the ruined barn.

As soon as I reached my gray classic car, I quickly opened the rear door and pulled up the rag, then pulled the metal up, and threw in the bag inside, then closes it, concealing it with the rag. It was specifically made by my friend where to hide my stuff.

I'm sure, I'm going to meet some cops on my way back to the hotel.

And as soon as I'm back to the main road, I saw the checkpoint. A car was being inspected by two policemen. I pulled closer when the first car left, the tall well built old guy raised his hand to stop me which I did.

He rounded the car and stop beside the driver seat. I rolled down the window.

"Good day, officer." I greeted and he nodded. His scruffy, bushy eyebrows knitted together as he looks at me, hard.

"I'm sorry, sir for the inconvenience, but we need to check your car and to get some information from you," the officer asked. He scratches his bald head for a second as he watches me keenly.

"No problem, officer," I nodded and he motioned me to get out of my car. I did as I was told and the other officer, a younger one, started checking the trunk of my car and inside, all the while I answered every question the old officer ask me.

"Where are you from?" he asked as he scans my passport.

"Old Sicily, sir," I responded casually. He nodded as he read my name in my passport. "Sandro Maggiore ... 28 years old ..." he read softly.

"What brought you here?" he asked, his eyes staring at me without blinking.

"Just visiting some old friend, sir," I responded quickly as I casually met his eyes.

He nodded as he handed me back my passport. "Where is this friend of yours lived?"

"La Saove, officer," I answered. He nodded again, and then frustratedly look at his company.

La Saove is the next town to Seguismonda in the countryside.

The younger officer walks towards us. "La negativa," (Negative) he briefly said, and the older officer nodded yet again, his face is grim. The older officer gave me a nod as he apologizes.

"You may go, sir," he politely said, and I nodded, then quickly slid into the driver's seat and sped.

......

Angel's POV

"Where are you?" came Tristan's frantic voice as soon as he recognized my voice.

"Ah, Er ... Um ..." biting my tongue at the lost of words, I stared out of the Telephone booth's transparent wall.

The rundown street looks dead, only a few old faces that give me an eerie stare as they passed by the old telephone booth where I was standing.

The sun was up and angrily looming over the rundown buildings.

I felt the sweat trickled down my forehead and languidly wipes it away with the back of my hand.

"Rose?" Tristan's frustrated tone pulled me out of my trance.

"Y-yes!" I replied quickly, stuttering.

"Where are you?" he repeated, his tone lowers a notch, in a controlled vibrato, but I can hear the suppressed anger in it.

"S-somewhere," I responded, I caught my bottom lip between my teeth as I tried to think of a way to get out of this mess, without letting him know where I am, rather who I am with.

If I had fooled zia, I can't fool Tristan.

"Where, Rose?" he growls, and I shut my eyes as I told him where I am.

"I'm in Sicily," was all I said since I have no idea where exactly I am. Mason mentioned it to me before he followed Isaias, as soon as we disembarked from the plane before sunrise.

"What are you doing in Old Sicily, Rose?" his voice darkening each passing seconds, and I could feel my tears brimming my eyes.

"I'm sorry, Tristan. I lied to you and zia. Please, don't tell her, I beg you," I pleaded.

I heard him sighed. "What have you done? Who are you with, Rose? I need to know," his tone softens a notch, and I swallowed thickly. If I tell him I sneaked into Isaias Vitale's hotel room and attempted to kill him, he would surely freak out, and drag me back to New York.

Tristan is very protective over me since I'm the only girl among his cousins, and I love him for that.

"I'm fine, I promised I'll be okay. Don't worry about me," I coaxed as I inhaled deeply.

"Rose, you never leave the house without telling us, I need to know who are you with, and why did you leave New York, for Pete's sake. That's miles away!" he glowered frustratedly, worries evident in his voice.

I involuntarily bang my head softly against the old transparent wall of the telephone booth out of frustrations. I shouldn't have called him. Judging by his tone, I knew he won't stop until he will know who am I with, and why did I leave without telling them. Yes, I never left their house without zia or Tristan with me. If ever, I would ask their permission, the farthest place I've gone to where the convenient store and grocery store, that was four blocks away from their block.

And if you're wondering how did I found out about Isaias' hotel?

I heard Isaias' talking to someone on the phone asking for Isaias' location, and I was so lucky to overhear it. I called a taxi the next day and check the hotel myself to see if someone by the name of Isaias' Vitale was booked in the hotel. The receptionists denied me, but I begged her, and told her that I'm his cousin, and I am to surprise him which she believed.

And the rest was history, and maybe soon, I'll be just a history.

"Rose," Tristan's frustrated voice interrupted me, and I gulped thickly.

"I'm sorry, Tristan. I don't know how to say this, but I eloped."

"WHAT?" his loud voice pierced my eardrum, and I instantly pulled the phone away from my ear as I stared into the mouthpiece in knitted brow.

Sighing deeply, I put the phone back, close to my ear.

"Who is that bastard with you?" he growled gruffly. Even on the phone, he sounded menacing. I just realized, he's as dangerous as Isaias. "WHO ROSE?" his tone rises in an octave, causing me to jump on my feet and bit my bottom lip.

"Isaias Vitale," I mumbled but he heard it clear.

"ISAIAS VITALE?" his anger surges. "ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME ROSE?" I could literally see his face, his jaw tightened, his eyes blazing, and his muscles strained. "How did you meet? When? Why?" he asked, confused. His tone dropping an octave, his anger dwindling. "You know he killed your father, why did you elope with him?" guilt started to settles in my heart.

I felt my tears rolling down my cheeks as I bit my inner cheek, stifling my sobs. These lie I started, it kept growing, and I don't know how to get out from it. I don't know how to rectify it now.

"I'm sorry," was all I said, my voice soft and croaking.

"I'm coming to get you," he said decidedly, and all my senses alerted.

"NO!" I quickly responded as I bolted upright. "I mean, I'm fine. We will be back in a week, so please, just let me stay here with him. I'll call you if there's a problem," I pleaded. "Please, Tristan. Let me decide for myself this time. All my life, I've been controlled, not that I'm complaining, but I need to learn to decide on my own, and if I'll fail, I'll face the consequences," I stressed firmly.

"Rose," his voice were soft in resignation. "You don't know who you are with," Tristan said cautiously and I nodded as I stared at the burnout building next to an old small diner.

"I love him," was all I said and I bit my bottom lip.

Why did the words just came out so comfortably?

Do I even know what love is?

"You don't know what love is, Rose. Isaias is not capable of loving. He's heartless, he doesn't have emotion. Why it has to be him?" Tristan asked. I could feel the deep worries in his tone.

I don't know where this lie will lead me, but I'll cross the bridge when I get there. All I need to do is, follow whatever Isaias demanded, and be done with it. I'm hoping when I come back to New York, he'll forget what I did, and we can go back to our normal life.

I'll just deal with them once we get back.

"Bye, Tristan, please call zia, she's worried about you," I said before ending the call without listening to his response.

I needed to be back at the apartment before Isaias' comes back. I only sneaked out of Logan's watchful eyes as soon as he turns his back to take the call.

Just as I got out of the booth, I saw Logan's grim face heading towards me.

"Miss Viggorino!" he called out a little louder before I turn my back away from him. I stopped and languidly turns to face him as he approaches me. His face a little red from the sun. He implanted himself in front of me and spoke gravely. "I hope this will be the last, Miss Viggorino!" he warned me, and I nodded.

I felt a little guilty, but I shook it off quickly.

"I'm not running away, Logan," I grit out. He only stared at me, his face still stoic.

"If the boss finds out that you got away under my watch, I'll be dead, Ms. Viggorino. I hope you do consider sometimes that, someone was just doing his job. I have two kids to feed," he stressed grimly, and guilt stirs within me.

"I apologize," I look down sheepishly as I nodded. "You are right. I'm sorry," I said, then I met his eyes briefly. He nodded, then he motioned his hand towards the direction of where he came from.

I nodded and started pacing towards the direction he showed me. We both walk together in silence. My mind was filled again with the lies that I just told Tristan.

What if Isaias' finds out?

He won't. It will only be a week. The other half of my head contradicted. I quickly shook the thoughts off and walk in silence, hoping Isaias is not back yet.

.

.

As soon as I got inside the brown brick three-storey apartment, I ran up the concrete stair steps to the third floor, then strode in haste along the wide hallway, and stops at room 308. As soon as I got in, I was welcomed with the warm living room and I smiled. I love the apartment. The building's undistinguished exterior facade of brown brick looks deceiving. Once you got into the rooms, it looks splendid.

I saw Isaias's back facing the direction of the patio. He's just wearing a plain black t-shirt and gray faded jeans. His one hand was resting on his hips while the other was holding a phone. I could see a few veins sticking out in his forearms and hands. His back is firm, with wide shoulders, they look strong and sexy.

Do his arms feel warm around me?

My heart started doing the cartwheel again. It feels like butterflies were released in my belly.

Snapped out of it, woman! I reminded myself as I walk across the spacious living room. The expensive marble living room stands under an intricate natural wood beam ceiling, with gold-toned walls and white pillars surrounding, with the space opens seamlessly to a wide patio area.

As I walk towards my room to the left, Isaias pointed the Taupe 3 PC Sectional sofas, without bothering to look at me as he continued talking over the phone. How he knew I was watching his back, is beyond me.

I quickly strode towards the sofa. I could feel my legs slowly melting again as my heart pounded against my ribcage. Just the thought of him mad makes me feel weary, rather scared.

As soon as my butt sinks into the cushion, I heard his footsteps coming towards me. I sucked in my breath when he stood closer to me. I slowly look up and met his eyes, his cold, dead eyes, and my pulse skittered in my throat. Again, he stole my breath away. His intense gaze never left me, his face stripped of any emotions, yet he looks sinfully hot. "Did you enjoy your little escapade, mio angelo pericoloso, didn't you?" Isaias' low growling tone made me agitated as I shifted in my seat. He plopped down beside me, then leaned his back against the sofa's backrest.

"I just went for a walk." I tried to reason out as I subtly scooted away. "You left—" the rest of the words swallowed back when I felt his hand stop me by my waist then pulled me closer to him. Then, he slid it down the smooth plane of my back which caused me to stiffened, and all the words I wanted to say flew into the thin air, my brain freezes.

"Quite crafty, aren't you?" came his mocking tone as he smirks. "Sneaking around behind my back?" he continued on as he stroke my spinal. I wasn't listening anymore to him, my whole system was enjoying his simple touch. Unconsciously, I closed my eyes and let out a soft moan. "Who did you call, mio angelo pericoloso?" he asked causing my eyes to snapped open, and my brain switch back on. His voice was low and menacing causing me to shiver in dread.

When I met his cold, distant eyes, I swallowed thickly. "Who?" he impatiently pressed me, his eyes darkening.

I'm sure Logan already relayed it to him what happened this morning. It was probably him he was talking with.

Great!

As I stared into his cold, dark eyes, I unconsciously curled my hands into balls, I wanted to scream at his face, he can't demand me nor decide for me. I am not his, and definitely, I'm not anyone's puppet.

Argh.. I hate it when my life is being controlled by someone. I'm so done people telling me what to do. Instead, "I'm tired," I reasoned out lamely, desperately wanting to escape from this infuriating man.

He didn't stop me nor responded to me and I felt relieved, and silently headed towards my room.

I'm glad he booked an apartment with two ensuite rooms.

As soon as I entered my room, I decided to take a bath. A hot tub would surely relax my cares away after this exhausting morning, and that talk with Tristan still reeling in my head, stirring the guilt within me.

As soon as I'm naked, I walked across the big room and over the big rectangular tub opposite the shower.

I turned the water on and adjusted it to the temperature I desired. I let the water runs until it gets warm before adjusting it, but it seems the water's temperature never changes. I turned the water tap to the other side, following the color blue, and let it runs, but the water's temperature turns even colder to my dismay.

I frustratedly turn it off, and huffed in frustrations, my hands flew to my hips as I looked around my washroom.

Marble tiled floor, with walk-in large shower, big oval tub, and a cabinet from floor to ceiling with paneled doors, adjacent the washroom door.

Maybe the water heater is broken. I need to talk to Isaias about this. He has to do something, I thought.

I saw the robe hanging at the back of the door. I quickly took it, and wear it on, then I made my way back to the living room, a little apprehensive as I'm about to face him again, but to my dismay, he wasn't there, instead, it was Logan, sitting on the couch, watching.

He abruptly stood up when he saw me approaching him. "Miss Viggorino?" he looks down promptly as soon as I implanted myself in front of him.

I scowled at him. "Where is that infuriating man?" I snapped. I remembered that he told Isaias what happened this morning and all the more I felt my blood boiling.

"He just left, he said he'll be back tonight," Logan answered looking everywhere but me, which added up to my annoyance.

I let out a loud frustrated breath and decided not to interrogate him more and just ignore it. It doesn't make any difference at all, the damage has been done, and Isaias didn't act like a mad cow, so I let it slide.

I thought for a second, since he left and said he'll be back tonight, I'm sure he's out there somewhere having fun, and God knows when he decided to come back when he feels like to, just like he did this morning.

A cheeky grin broke out on my lips as I thought of his tub. Maybe the water heater in his washroom is working fine.

I look at Logan and he's still not looking at me. My eyebrow cocked up, but I didn't say anything about it. "If he comes back, tell him I'm in his washroom," I said, and he just nodded, still with his eyes everywhere but not me.

Shaking my head, I turned on my heel and strode towards Isaias' room at the end of the hallway, connected to the big patio. His room is bigger than mine.

I quickly head straight to his washroom, aiming for his tub. As soon as the water turns hot, I almost squealed in happiness.

Smiling like a lunatic, I adjusted the temperature and let the water on, filling the huge tub that could fit three. I turned it off when it reaches the desired level.

I didn't bother locking the door since I have a feeling he'll be back when I'm already in bed. I quickly took my white long robe off, and just tossed it anywhere, my eyes twinkling as I stared at the crystal white water. I slowly immerse my whole body into the hot water and leaned my back against the tub, my head resting against the lips of the tub. My exhausted muscles instantly relax, and I unconsciously smiled as I let my eyelid closed.

I don't know how long I was soaking in the tub when I felt someone's presence.

When I opened my eyes, they grew bigger, and I instinctively immerse myself deeper, my hands flew to my chest trying to cover my breast, or at least tried to hide my naked form from his prying eyes. My eyes locked onto his growing lower member pointing outward like saluting proudly at me.

"Was this supposed to be a surprise?" he drawled and my eyes snapped up to his, and they were dark, and his intent is clearer as he moves closer.

I felt a hot flush all over me as I watch him taking his time getting closer.

I don't know if Logan relays to Isaias what I told him, or did Isaias intentionally—. Yes, he did! Or course, he did! He's never a gentleman. He's heartless. Why would I be surprised?

Stupid, Angel!

..............

A/N: Here you go. I hope you all like it! 

Please leave your thought.