~ Adrian's POV ~

As soon as I got to the club I spent the next few hours with Matteo and Angelo in the back going over the plan. We only had tonight to convince Frank Sperro to work with us to take Dante down, nothing could go wrong.

"What if he says no?" I glared at Angelo from across my desk in the back office. "He won't say no. That's not going to happen." He rolled his eyes at my tone but said nothing else. The doors to the club had already opened hours ago, but we were only there for one reason, and that reason wasn't arriving until 12am.

"Jordan's not coming." Matteo's voice echoed over the music blasting in the club. "Did she say why?" Matteo shook his head and looked down at his phone. "I asked her if she still wanted me to pick her up and she said no. That's all." I let out a sigh and leaned back in my chair. "She was acting weird earlier."

"She's always acting weird. It's probably not even an act." I chuckled at Angelo's comment just as someone knocked on the door. "What?" The door opened and one of my guys stuck his head in. "It's time boss." I nodded and stood up, picking up my phone and my gun, I tucked the gun in my pants before heading out with Matteo and Angelo behind me.

We went into the club for the first time since the doors opened and I couldn't help but smirk at the sight in front of me. The club was full to the brim with horny, thirsty men and women drinking and grinding on one another. Drinks were being poured and the strippers were doing their thing, men were watching them with lust filled eyes chucking dollars at them in an attempt to get their attention. I rolled my eyes at their desperation as I made my way into the VIP area, this area was kept secluded, only for people who I invite to the club. Tonight it was just full of those important to the mafia, whether I like them or not, if they were important to me then I gave them special treatment to keep them sweet.

My eyes landed on the man I've been waiting to see, his guards surrounded him as he sipped on a drink. His eyes stopped on me and he nodded as the three of us took a seat next to him in the leather booth. "Adrian."

"Frank." He leaned back just as a waitress came over to our area. She placed a perfectly manicured hand on my shoulder while fluttering her eyelashes at me. "Can I get you something to drink baby?"

"Whiskey." She nodded and leaned down to whisper in my ear. "Maybe I can get you something else later." Her hand travelled down my shoulder seductively over my chest.

"No, thank you." Despite my rejection, she still sent me a smile before turning to take the rest of the drink orders, making sure to brush her ass up against my arm as she did so.

"I love how she ignored your wedding ring." I rolled my eyes at Matteo who's eyes were narrowed at me. He wouldn't allow me to hurt Jordan, not that I would ever cheat on her.

"So Adrian." I turned my full attention towards Frank who was waiting for me to speak. "I have a proposition for you Frank."

"Adrian. I'm not looking to get involved with anybody else right now." I made sure to keep my cool, calm exterior as I spoke to him. "I know, but I know your relationship with other groups in America is becoming more and more hostile. Making an alliance with me will put you in a stronger position." Frank chuckled and leaned back against the leather couch.

"Adrian I know your game." I gave him a smirk just as the same waitress placed the drinks infront of us, this time I didn't even spare her a glance. "What do you want out of this?"

"I just want the confidence that comes with having you as a partner Frank." He rolled his eyes causing everyone to chuckle except me. I wasn't going to laugh until this was a done deal. It was too important to me, he's my last hope, Dante doesn't associate himself with Americans, but he has enough alliances to make sure he remains powerful. I'm determined to bring him down, so I need to have the extra touch.

"So what do you want from me? Money? Drugs?" I shook my head at him and gestured to the club we were sitting in. "Does it look like I need money? I don't need that sort of help from anyone. I need the numbers, the support. I'll be there for you, if I can rely on the same from you." He nodded, clearly deep in thought, my eyes moved over to Matteo when his phone began to ring, I looked back at Frank when he spoke again.

"I understand what you're saying Adrian, but I don't think-" Frank was interrupted by Matteo who jumped up from his seat, a look of worry on his face. "Adrian." I frowned as Matteo shoved the phone at me, I took it from him and held it up to my ear.

"Adrian De Mancuso. It's nice to speak to you again." I was instantly on my guard when I heard his voice. "Dante." I clenched my jaw as I listened to his pathetic laughter. "Why so hostile? Has she already told you what happened?" He chuckled amusedly at his comment.

"What do you mean?" He went quiet for a moment before he spoke again. "That silly girl, I know my man relayed the message to her...maybe it wasn't clear enough? What do you think Adrian? Should I have someone pay her another visit?" I let out a growl as I stood from my seat, gripping the phone in my hand.

"What did you freaking do Dante?" He let out a small moan of appreciation before chuckling. "Your poor wife, you left her to cry in the bath all alone. I must say she's beautiful though, her wet skin...her body; she's got a beautiful set of-" I felt anger surge through me as I listened to him talk about Jordan, I cut him off before he could push me too far. "You bastard. I'm going to freaking kill you, stay away from her! Do you understand me?"

"Let's see, can you get back before I get to her?" He chuckled quietly before hanging up the phone. I threw it down on the table shaking my head. "He's going after Jordan, apparently he's already done it once. She didn't tell me." I ran a hand through my hair turning to Matteo and Angelo. "Lets go." I turned around but a hand on my shoulder stopped me.

"You've got a deal Adrian." Frank's eyes held promise as he looked into my worried ones and I silently nodded before leaving the club with Angelo and Matteo behind me.

We pulled up to the house and I grabbed my gun as we got out the car. "You guys take them and check the house. I'll go and find Jordan." I glanced at the black Escalade that pulled up behind my car where my men were. I didn't wait for either of them to reply, I made my way into the deadly silent house. I switched on the lights as I went through the house, I decided to check our room first since it was pretty late, Jordan probably went to sleep.

I found the room to be empty, I checked the bathroom but it seemed fine. I know as soon as Jordan finds out someone was watching her in the bath she won't be able to take it. That's something that would traumatise anyone, after what Jordan's been through over the last few months it will just be the icing on the freaking cake.

I checked a few more rooms upstairs as the panic began to rise inside me. I clenched my gun in my hand as I went back downstairs. A bright light shining through the glass door of the living room in the corner of my eye caught my attention. I quietly went inside, the room was silent. I glanced around, my eyes landing on the light coming from the muted TV which was the only source of light in the room. Finally my eyes landed on Jordan's form lying on the couch. I made my way over to her and relief flooded through me when I saw that she was only asleep. As soon as my nerves calmed down, anger soon took over my body.

"Get up." My voice cut through the silence and Jordan stirred slightly before her eyes opened. "Adrian?"

"Get the hell up right now." I grabbed her forearm pulling her up off the couch. It took her a moment to comprehend what was going on in her sleepy state as she held onto me for support. "What the hell Adrian?" Her voice was thick with sleep as she glared at me but I didn't give a damn.

"Why didn't you tell me? Huh?" It took her a moment but as soon as she understood what I meant her eyes widened and her face paled slightly. "I was going to.." I scoffed and tightened my grip on her arm pulling her closer to me.

"You were going to?! When? Before or after you and my baby were killed?!" She visibly flinched at the volume of my voice but I didn't care. "I don't even know what to say to you." Her eyes filled with tears and she tried to pull her hand out of my grip but I didn't let it slack. "It was your fault! He came to me because of you Adrian."

"What did he do?" I clenched my jaw trying to keep myself from lashing out at her. "He...he just threatened me." I shook my head and pulled her closer to me, I leaned down looking into her eyes as I spoke. "Don't lie to me. I can see through it straight away."

"He had a knife. He said that you're safe and that they don't want you. He knew about the baby.."

"What else Jordan?" She swallowed nervously and avoided my eye. "He um..he scratched me with the knife and he k-kissed me." All I saw was red when the words left her mouth, I let go of her allowing her to sit down on the couch as I paced around the room clenching my fists in an attempt to control my actions.

"He kissed you? Who was it? What did the bastard look like? Freaking tell me Jordan." She sat on the couch watching me, confusion evident on her face.
"Adrian please just calm down.." I shook my head and punched the mirror above the fireplace causing it to shatter.

"Adrian!" Jordan got up and made her way over to me, she grabbed my bloody hand but I pulled it away from her. "Do you know they've been watching you? Do you?! You should have told me Jordan! These aren't people you can mess around with!"

"What do you mean they've been watching me?" I glared at her confused express which just pissed me off even more. "They've been watching you everywhere. Dante was watching you in the freaking bath." I spat the last words out with so much anger. I know I shouldn't have told her that particular detail like that but I was still coming to terms with the whole thing myself.

"W-what?" Her face went pale as she stared at me. "Adrian.." Her eyes filled with tears as she stepped away from me. Seeing the pure horror and fear on her face was the bucket of ice that brought me out my red haze. I stepped towards her taking her hand in mine. "Come here." I pulled her into my arms, she was shaking as I held her against me.

"Adrian." I glanced up at Angelo who was watching the two of us by the door, shock evident on his face. I hadn't told anyone about what Dante said to me on the phone so that was the first he heard of it. "Everything's clear so far but the guards are dead. All of them." Jordan tensed up in my arms and I tightened my arms around her. "It was a long distance sniper shot."

"We need to leave." I stepped away from Jordan who still looked to be in a huge amount of distress. I looked into her red watery eyes, taking her face in my hands. "Jordan, please you need to calm down. Go upstairs with Angelo and start packing. I'll be up in a few minutes." She shook her head and wrapped her arms around me again resting her face in the crook of my neck.

I sighed and rubbed her back before picking her up bridal style, she wrapped her arms around my neck as I walked towards Angelo.
"Have someone get my jet ready. I want you and Matteo to come with me to my house in Tuscany. Get Carlotta aswell." I stepped towards the door but stopped before turning towards Angelo again. "Warn my parents too, if they know where I live the probably know where they live."

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~ Jordan's POV ~

Adrian was struggling to contain his emotions, and the fact he had to do most of the packing in this situation made the whole thing worse for him. He rushed around our room trying to pack our stuff, some of the things I had to pack though because he was useless at packing make up and there was no way I was letting him choose my underwear.

I wasn't really sure how to react to what Adrian told me, I cried when I found out that Dante and God knows how many other men had seen me a naked, but once the tears subsided I didn't really know what else to do. I didn't know how to act around Adrian, I was suddenly uncomfortable with anyone looking at me. That was part of the reason I didn't want to go upstairs alone with Angelo, I know he would never hurt me, but I just didn't want to be alone with him.

The thought of being watched in such a vulnerable situation was just terrifying, the guards were dead, Dante and his men could have come inside if they wanted to. There was nothing to protect me and my baby.

Adrian didn't speak about what happened after we left the living room. We went upstairs and packed and left for the airport. I didn't even have the energy to argue with Adrian about once again moving to a new place. I didn't know how long we were going to be gone for; so again I had to quit my job.

I kept my eyes trained on the window next to me as we flew over the brightly lit city of Florence at around 3am. I didn't manage to sleep on the plane during the two hour flight and I only slept for about an hour before Adrian got home and woke me up. I was absolutely exhausted. I knew Adrian was worried about me, but he didn't speak to me which I was grateful for, he just spoke to Matteo and Angelo about a few things while Carlotta slept.

"Jordan, come on." I glanced over at Adrian who was frowning at me. I looked out the window to see that we had landed and everyone else was already outside. I let out a sigh and mumbled to him as I stood up. "Sorry." We exited the jet and made our way to the cars parked outside.

Once again Adrian drove us silently to his house in Florence, Tuscany (which I didn't even know existed). The others were in a separate car, I think they were staying with us though. It would be safer that way anyway. Eventually we pulled up to a huge villa isolated from the main city of Florence. It was in the middle of fields and hills. The greenery went on for miles but I couldn't see much since it was dark when we got there.

I followed Adrian inside just as Carlotta came out of what seemed to be the kitchen. She gave me a small smile which I tried to return but it was more of a grimace. Angelo must have filled Matteo and Carlotta in with what happened since they were all clearly treading on eggshells around me.

"Just pick whichever rooms you want. Carlotta get one of these idiots to bring your bags in." Adrian sent the boys a glare before going upstairs with our things. "Did they just leave your bags in the car?" She chuckled and nodded. "They're boys aren't they?"

I cracked a small smile before mumbling good night and following Adrian upstairs.

"Go to sleep, you must be tired." For once I didn't argue and just got into the huge bed. I tried to fall asleep but my mind wouldn't allow it, eventually Adrian got in next to me and his arm went over my waist. "You're safe with me tesoro. Go to sleep." I turned around in his arms and rested my head against his chest, I closed my eyes feeling sleepy just as Adrian kissed my forehead.

Thank you for reading! ❤️