{ Andrea's outfit above } { Andrea's POV }

I spent all day people watching at the mall for a sense of entertainment.

I may not be able to get out of this marriage, but I don't have to continue to obey him like some freakishly obedient, and highly trained lap dog. No. I wasn't raised to be pathetic or to take all of this. I was raised to be respectful when respected, and strong no matter the circumstance. My loved ones wanted more for me than this. I was raised to be strong willed and even raise hell if needed. I guess I forgot that.

I think you have to hit your limit and then you realize that you don't have to take it just because it's expected of you.

I've never said a word or really even talked back for a year, and honestly it wasn't ever easy, and I'm kind of use to it now.

But I shouldn't have to be..

I miss good arguments, and the freedom you feel when you speak up.

I'm not their definition of a woman, or trophy wife... but maybe that's because they've never met anyone like me. I'm not their normal, or Samuele's dream, and honestly I don't really want to be.

I'm something completely unknown to them.. and there's something about that, that I honestly like.

————

Seeing Donte snooping through Samuele's files, and not having trust nor respect for him just proved my thoughts to be correct. Now at least I know others around him are seeing that he shouldn't be the Don.

Isla nearly jumping and seeming so afraid and tense around him has worried me. So despite me wanting her to stay close to me — for her safety and sanity I need to let her go.

Until I get something figured out.

————

Being Samuele asked me to get something for tonight I decided to listen. However not in the way he expected.

I did buy a new outfit and as my shirt I'm wearing the lingerie Samuele suggested for our 'alone time' which will only possibly happen over my dead body. I'm not trying to catch a disease, only God knows what he's got. Much less will I ever be with someone in that way who doesn't respect me or my body. Not to mention the fact that I don't trust him, not even in the slightest anymore.

My outfit kind of has a sexy business vibe to it and it's unlike anything Samuele asks or orders me to wear... but a change is a start, in a new direction. That I for one am deeply curious about walking into.

————

I arrive back at the mansion, and I go inside only to find all of them already half way through dinner.

"We started early, I forgot to call you." Samuele says showing no sign of being sorry, and he almost wears a smile. Then his eyes catch my outfit, and his eye twitches. That's never happened before.

"Oh it's alright, I already ate at the mall." I say giving my best fake smile

"What are you wearing?" Samuele asks through clenched teeth, and clearly not keeping it cool

"You told me to get something for tonight, do you not like it?" I ask knowing good and well he wouldn't like it with another boss and underboss being here.

"No you look like a puttana." Samuele says and I knew he would say something along the lines of that, but sometimes it still stings.

"I'll excuse myself and go change then." I say and force my head slightly down making it seem like shame. Only if anything it is hiding my slight anger.

Normally no one other than Isla and Chelsea hear all the names he'll call me or allow Chelsea to call me... but this time he showed his true colors. They won't do anything, but I want them to be fully aware that he's a snake.

I don't know how any of the other bosses or mafia men treat their spouses, but with the dark lifestyle they live..who knows..but this clearly shouldn't be it.

————

I walk upstairs and see that Isla is waiting in my room for me on a chair in my room. She stands up when I enter.

"Andrea, I need to tell you something." She says quietly and seemingly scared

I shut the door behind me, and walk to sit beside her in the other chair.

"Isla, what's wrong? You've been acting strange today. I'm worried." I say to her

She drops her head, and when she looks back at me there are tears in her eyes.

"Samuele is planning something horrible." Isla says as tears fall down her face

"Isla, you can tell me. What is it?" I question gently

"I overheard him and that woman Chelsea talking. He's planning to use you." She says

"How?" I ask not understanding where Isla is going with this.

"He wants to use you to make a deal with some man, who is looking for you. He doesn't know why he wants you, but he doesn't care." Isla says and I can tell she is clearly worried.

"Does he know that you heard them?" I ask her worried more for her safety.

She nods and looks at the floor and says "The woman Chelsea caught me, and told him. They threatened me, and said if I told you they would speed up the deal, and put me in the cells."

"I won't let that happen to you." I promise her

"I'm not worried about me.." She says but she's not making eye contact with me. Which normally means she's leaving something out.

"Is there something you aren't telling me?" I ask her sensing that she's hesitant

"I am not for sure, but I think the man he is making the deal with is your father. He said his name once..." Isla says

I push back the memories that threaten to drown me again. I don't have Jason or Artemis to help me stay a float. I only have myself this time.

"What was the mans name?" I question

"He called him Alastair." She tells me

And I feel my body freeze..

"Andrea are you okay?" She asks me with clear concern

"I'm just taking a moment to feel it.. then I'm going to find a way to get you out of this mansion, and for me to make sure they don't get away with whatever it is they are planning." I tell her

"How?" She questions still very much afraid

"I don't know yet but everyone who raised me.. raised me to be strong, and prepared for something like this if it ever happened. I have ways out. Artemis made sure of it. So I'll find away." I tell her trying to reassure her

She grabs my hand and holds it.

"For tonight just act normal and lock your door, I'll make sure you get out of here. They won't touch you, I promise." I say to Isla

"Okay. Be careful." Isla says and then she goes her own way, and I start pacing in my room trying to find out the right way to handle this situation.

The thing is I don't have anything to lose but Isla.

If I can get her out safely then that's all I care about.