Evelyn's Pov

“Where is she?” I heard Raffaele's voice as I stepped out of the bathroom with a face towel, drying my face with it.

He is back. I sighed, dropping the towel then walked out of the bedroom. I haven't left the room for the past two days.

Emily had been playing mother hen, which was getting on my nerves, but she kept insisting she was taking care of me because it was her fault.

“You are looking for me?” I asked, but more like a statement, and he turned on hearing my voice. Emily went inside as she saw me leave the room.

He was dressed in a black tuxedo. The black tuxedo hugged his tall, lean frame perfectly, his hair almost perfectly styled with his shoes polished to a gleam.

His appearance was impeccable, always exuding power and confidence. He looked every bit the powerful, untouchable man that he was.

Raffaele’s eyes scanned me from head to toe, his expression unreadable “You should be resting,” he said, his voice firm but not unkind.

“I am fine,” I replied, crossing my arms. “I have been resting for two days,”

He raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. “That is not for you to decide.” His tone carried an edge, one that reminded me of his controlling nature.

I stepped closer, feeling the tension in the air. “I am not one of your possessions, Raffaele.”

His eyes darkened, his jaw tightening as he moved towards me. I think I struck a chord

“You are mine, Evelyn. And whether you like it or not, you will always be mine” His voice was low, dangerously soft, and I couldn’t help but feel a shiver run through me.

He took a step closer, his presence immediately overwhelming the space before his phone went off.

I watched his expression change instantly to an angry one when he answered the call. His eyes hardened and he fisted his hands.

“I will be there. Level up the security” he barked into the phone before ending the call.

“What happened?” I asked, my curiosity peeking.

“We are going back to the mafia's house,” he said, taking a step back while typing furiously on his phone.

“Why?” I asked, frowning as I noticed the shift in his demeanor. Something had clearly happened.

“There is an emergency” he replied, his voice clipped as he shoved his phone back into his pocket. “Pack your things,” he ordered, his voice final. “We leave in ten minutes”

I opened my mouth to protest, but his dark gaze silenced me. There was no room for discussion.

When I was just about enjoying the peace here. The peace I had been enjoying here evaporated in an instant.

I had nothing really to pack, but Emily had to pack some things, so we had to wait for her. Raffaele stood by the door, his eyes scanning the perimeter like he was expecting trouble at any moment.

Emily came out carrying a bag.

“Ready?” he asked without looking at her, his voice clipped and urgent.

“Yes,” she said and nodded. I slung the duffel bag over my shoulder. There wasn't anything in it- just a few clothes and some junk.

“Raffaele,” I started, but he cut me off before I could even finish.

“Not now, Evelyn,” he said, his tone cold but not cruel. “We will talk later.”

He opened the door, stepping aside for me and Emily to pass. Emily didn't ask any questions; she just followed his orders like she had been in the situation often.

We made our way to the elevator in silence, the tension in the air growing with each step.

The moment the doors slid shut, I felt the pressure of everything around me, but Raffaele remained as stoic as ever, his eyes fixed ahead, his jaw tight.

“What kind of emergency?” I finally asked, unable to hold it in any longer.

His gaze flicked to me briefly before looking away again. “One that needs me and could cost me a lot if not careful”

*****

I walked out of my room and headed towards the kitchen, my mind preoccupied with the strange urgency from earlier.

When we returned, Raffaele disappeared with his men while Emily went to her room.

As I passed down the hallway, voices filtered through the crack of a half-closed door. “He doesn't trust anybody with it,”

I paused, my curiosity piqued. I moved closer to listen, pressing my back against the wall.

“There has to be a way to get it” I heard Raffaele's voice from behind the door.

“Unless we send an insider to search his house,” Enzo said.

“He is not dumb to keep it in his house” Oscar answered, his voice dismissive but focused

What were they trying to retrieve? Raffaele said it was an emergency so it must mean it is something that involves lives. Right?

“I need everything about Roberto, down to the food he ate this morning” Raffaele commanded, his voice firm.

“Working on it already,” a calmer voice said.

Unable to resist anymore, I pushed open the door. Silence fell, and all eyes turned to me, the weight of their stares almost suffocating and swallowing me

“What are you doing here?” a loud wincing voice cut through the silence. My gaze snapped at Bianca. She had a disapproving glare but I didn't care.

“I came to entertain you” I shot back sarcastically, walking towards them with casualness.

My eyes flicked to the table; on it were blueprints, guns, and scattered files.

“Going for a mafia fight?” I teased, reaching for a file when a strong hand grabbed my wrist

“Why are you here?” Raffaele asked, irritation laced in his expression.

“I am-” I started but Carmen's voice interrupted me. “I have it.”

He handed the laptop to Raffaele and Raffaele's eyes skimmed through. “Roberto” he growled, “son of a bitch” he cursed

I know that name. The name sparked something in my mind. “Roberto Rizzo?” I asked, thinking aloud, earning questioning looks from the entire room.

“Yes,” Enzo confirmed, eyes narrowing at me. Roberto Rizzo, a reckless mafia boss, is infamous for his love for only two things— women and money.

A sly smile tugged at my lips. “I might just have what you are looking for,” I said, shifting my gaze to everyone in the room before locking eyes with Raffaele, making it clear to him that I had the solution to their problem.

The first step in accomplishing my mission. Check.