★★Mariella's POV★★



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I didn't know it was possible to hate someone this much—like, truly, this much. My entire body feels like a furnace fueled by pure, unadulterated rage, radiating hatred so intense I could probably melt steel. If there's a world record for the most fiery middle finger, I'm about to set it.

Without thinking, I thrust my middle finger into the air, waving it with the grace of a conductor leading an orchestra of insults. "Vaffanculo! (Fuck you!) " I yell with all the strength of a woman who has hit her breaking point. But all I get in return is the startled, slightly horrified stares of the land workers. One of them even drops his shovel, probably questioning his life choices, while the other slowly backs away like I'm about to throw hands.

Meanwhile, Gio, my eternally composed and perpetually confused sidekick, gives me a side-eye so sharp it could slice through glass.

"What?" I snap, irritated as hell. His face is stuck somewhere between "is she okay?" and "do I pretend I didn't hear that?"

He opens his mouth, and I immediately cut him off with a pointed finger. "No, no—don't even say anything. Not one word."

But Gio, being Gio, does that annoying thing where he raises his eyebrows and tilts his head like he's silently judging my entire existence.

It's infuriating.

"You know what? Forget it." I wave him off like I'm shooing away a bad vibe. "Just—get the car ready. We're leaving now. Ne ho abbastanza di queste stronzate, (I've had enough of this bullshit)."

He hesitates for a second, probably wondering if this is the day I finally snap and start flipping tables. "Go!" I yell, pointing toward the car.

As he hurries off, I mutter under my breath, "The nerve. The absolute balls on that guy. I swear, he's got some custom-made audacity stitched together from Satan's finest collection."

A nearby worker snickers at my comment, and I glare at him. "What are you laughing at? You want a monologue too?"

He shakes his head quickly, and I stomp toward the car like a woman on a mission—because I am. And that mission is vengeance, with a side of sass.

****

As I walk through the racks of clothes with Luna and Iyanna, I'm not really seeing the fabric or the colors; I'm lost in my thoughts, scheming—plotting, really. My mind is swirling with plans on how to make Niko lose his damn mind. I want him to be so captivated by me that he won't be able to breathe without thinking of me. Then, when he's utterly mesmerized, I'll dig into every little detail of his life, find his darkest secrets, drug him, and have him completely at my mercy. I'll break him until there's nothing left. And when I'm done, no one will remember his name. The world won't even notice when he vanishes. Hell, he can give the Devil my regards when I'm through.

"Mari. Look at this one," Iyana says, snapping me out of my thoughts.

Luna is holding up a red dress, the fabric practically begging me to touch it. I walk toward them, my heels clicking against the floor, and I eye the dress like it's a target I'm about to take down. The material is soft, almost too soft—perfect.

I hum as I run my fingers over it, then glance up at them with a smirk. "Is it giving innocent little angel, but at the same time, hot as hell? Like, you know, untouchable?"

They both nod so fast it's like they're synchronized.

"Exactly!" Luna says, her voice practically dripping with excitement.

I chuckle, giving them a wink. "Well, it's settled then."

Milan, my personal shopper, looks at me with a raised eyebrow. "Perfect! Do you want to try it on?" She gestures to the changing rooms.

"No." I shake my head with a smile. "I don't have time for that. We're getting this over with."

They both look at me like I've lost it.

"What?" I raise an eyebrow, clearly amused by their confusion. "I'm not here for a fashion show. Let's just pay and go."

Luna scoffs but can't hide the grin on her face. "Damn, bitch. You must be hella excited to see Niko, huh?" She raises an eyebrow, teasing me.

I give her a fake smile, all sugar and no sweetness. "Can't wait," I say, making sure the excitement is definitely there. It's dripping with sarcasm, though.

Milan's smile never wavers as she takes the dress from my hands and walks toward the cashier. As she rings me up, I feel the weight of the plan settling into place. My mind races with the anticipation of seeing him—seducing him, controlling him.

Luna's still grinning like she knows what's going on, but she keeps quiet. Iyanna glances between me and Luna before adding, "Mari's got that look in her eye... You're gonna have him wrapped around your finger before he knows what hit him."

If only she knew. If only anyone knew.

I smirk, hearing her words like a promise. "That's the idea," I mutter as Milan hands me the dress in a sleek suit bag.

With a final payment, I glance at Luna. "Andiamo, (Let's go,)" I say, the cold edge to my voice making it clear that I'm not here to waste time.

We leave the store, my mind already back on my next steps—Niko doesn't know what's coming.

****

The red dress clung to me like it was painted on, hugging every curve and leaving just enough to the imagination. The V-cut neckline showed off just a hint of cleavage, while the delicate straps on my shoulders were decorated with tiny red flowers. A ruffled string cascaded down to my waist, adding a playful but sultry touch. My red strappy heels matched perfectly, giving me height and confidence. My hair was pulled into a high, messy ponytail with soft curls tumbling down, and my makeup was bold—a dark, smoky eye paired with glossy red lips that screamed dangerous.

I walked to my closet, grabbing a sleek knife to strap to my upper thigh and two sharp needles that I tucked into my hair, hidden in plain sight. It was Niko I was meeting tonight, after all, and you could never be too careful. I glanced at myself in the mirror. The dress made me look like I was on fire—because tonight, I would be. With a smirk, I grabbed my purse and kissed Mellow goodbye. She meowed, and I gave her a soft smile before heading out.

As I descended the stairs, the sharp clicks of my heels echoed through the hallway. I turned the corner to find Iyanna and Luna lounging on the couch, surrounded by junk food, watching a rom-com. When they saw me, their jaws dropped simultaneously, and I couldn't help but snort.

"Oh my god, your faces," I said, laughing at their stunned reactions.

They scrambled up, knocking over popcorn in their haste, and circled me like sharks smelling blood. Iyanna tilted her head, her eyes scanning every detail of my outfit. "Damn, mommy," she said, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

I laughed, shaking my head, and Luna chimed in, "Forget Niko, I might as well get on my knees and worship you, my queen." She clasped her hands together dramatically, bowing.

We all burst out laughing, but then Gio's voice cut through the moment. "Wow."

I turned to see him standing behind me, his eyes dragging down my body like he was taking in every detail. For some reason, his intense gaze made my stomach flip.

What the hell?

"Hey, buddy," I said, snapping my fingers to catch his attention. He finally met my eyes, and I smirked teasingly as I stepped closer to him. "I know, I know," I said, flipping my hair dramatically. "Just say it—I'm so fucking hot."

I laughed, expecting him to laugh with me, but his expression stayed serious.

"Yes," he said, his voice low and unwavering. "You do."

I froze, the laugh dying in my throat. His tone wasn't playful, and the way he looked at me felt... different. My heart stuttered, and I actually choked on my saliva like a fool.

"Oh," I stammered, completely caught off guard. My eyes darted to Iyanna and Luna, who were biting back grins, their eyes sparkling with amusement. When I looked back at Gio, he had a small, knowing grin on his face, like he knew exactly what he was doing to me.

"I'm... I'm gonna go," I muttered, brushing past him, my cheeks inexplicably hot.

What the hell is wrong with me?

He followed me to the door, his footsteps calm and steady while mine felt rushed. By the time we reached the car, I was practically radiating awkward energy. Gio stepped in front of me and opened the door, holding it with an exaggerated flourish. "Beautiful ladies first, (Beautiful women first and foremost)" he said, his tone teasing but smooth.

I smirked, rolling my eyes as I slid into the car. "What a lovely gentleman," I said mockingly, though the small smile tugging at my lips betrayed me.

He chuckled, leaning in to help me with my seatbelt. I froze as his hands brushed against me. This was probably the closest I'd ever been to Gio, and it felt... strange. Intense.

"There you go," he murmured, clicking the belt into place before glancing at me. For a moment, our eyes locked, and he gave me a slow, deliberate wink. Then he shut the door and walked around to the driver's side, leaving me frozen in my seat.

"What the fuck," I whispered to myself, my heart racing for no reason at all.

He got in, and the car fell into an awkward silence as we started driving. Desperate to break the tension, I turned on the radio.

Wise men say, only fools rush in...

I groaned internally as Elvis Presley's Can't Help Falling in Love filled the car. Gio smirked, throwing me a side glance that made my stomach do something weird again. I quickly flipped to another station.

"And I... will always love you..."

I slapped the button again, cursing the universe for this cosmic joke.

Gio chuckled, low and warm. "You can just admit you like love songs, you know," he teased, his eyes still on the road.

"Quiet is nice," I said quickly, turning the radio off altogether. The car fell silent again, but this time, it felt loaded.

He didn't say anything else, just smirked as he drove, and I couldn't tell if the heat in the car was from the engine or the tension crackling between us. Focus, Mariella, I told myself. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the way his gaze lingered or the way his voice sounded when he called me beautiful.

****

As Gio parks the car, I take a deep breath, my hands gripping my dress tightly before I realize what I'm doing. My eyes flick to the restaurant's glowing sign—La Pergola. Fancy. Romantic. The kind of place people go to fall in love.

Too bad I'm just here for the information.

My palms feel sweaty, and I discreetly check my thigh, making sure my knife is still securely strapped. My heartbeat is steady, but there's a tension coiled in my chest like a predator ready to strike.

Gio notices. He always does. "Do you not want to go?" His voice is low, calm, but I hear the concern laced in it. His gaze flicks down to my clenched fists.

I exhale slowly, forcing my fingers to relax. I give him a small nod. "I have to." There's no turning back now.

Without another word, I open the door and step out. The air is warm, carrying the scent of expensive wine and rich Italian spices. My heels click against the pavement as I walk toward the entrance, my body alert. Gio is right behind me, his presence solid and watchful. As always, my shadow. My shield.

A hostess greets us, her uniform crisp, her posture perfect. "Good evening, Ms. De Angelis." Her smile is polite, but there's something careful about it. Like she knows exactly who I am. "Please follow me. Mr. Zervos is expecting you."

I nod, following her lead through the restaurant. The place is beautiful—white tablecloths, flickering candlelight, soft classical music playing in the background. There's an open-air dining section outside, and beyond that, a private upper-level seating area.

The moment we step onto the terrace, I see them.

Greeks.

The guards are posted strategically, their suits clean but tight around their holsters. I catch the subtle bulge of guns under their jackets. Their eyes flick to me, then to Gio. Me and him both straighten up, silently acknowledging the tension. The way they watch us? It's territorial.

And then, there he is.

Niko.

Sitting at a small table, scrolling through his phone like he doesn't have a single worry in the world. But the moment he hears us, he slips his phone into his pocket and stands, a big, pearly smile stretching across his face. His eyes drag down my body, slow and deliberate, like he's unwrapping a gift with his gaze.

My blood runs cold.

I don't let it show. Instead, I turn slightly, meeting Gio's eyes. He's already looking at me, his expression unreadable. I give him a small nod—stay here. His jaw ticks, but he obeys, stepping back while keeping his eyes on every movement in the room.

I move forward.

Niko lets out a low whistle, his head tilting as he takes me in. "I mean... wow." His voice drips with appreciation as he reaches for my hand. His fingers brush my skin, and before I can stop him, he lifts my hand and presses a soft kiss against my knuckles.

Ugh. Ew.

I swallow down the disgust clawing up my throat and force a small smile. "You're too kind, Niko," I murmur, my voice light, sweet—honey laced with cyanide.

His grin widens as he steps to my side, pulling out my chair with a grand gesture. "Please."

I lower myself into the chair, careful not to let my body brush against his. "Thank you," I say smoothly, crossing my legs beneath the table, feeling the reassuring press of my knife against my thigh.

Niko sits across from me, eyes locked onto mine with a look I can't quite place. Something smug. Something... expectant.

"Mariella," he says, his voice almost playful. "I have to admit, I was surprised you accepted my invitation."

I match his smile, tilting my head slightly. "Everyone deserves a chance."

Even if, in the end, that chance is just a game I'm playing before I bury you six feet under.

Niko leans back in his chair, confidence oozing from his posture as he watches me, his eyes gleaming with intrigue. His cologne is strong—rich and woodsy, like he drenched himself in power and ego before showing up tonight.

"I have to say," he begins, flashing that cocky grin again, "I never thought the infamous Mariella De Angelis would grace me with her company. What changed your mind?"

I pick up my wine glass, swirling the deep red liquid, watching as the candlelight flickers against it. My lips curve into a slow smile, one that I know will keep him guessing. "Maybe I was just curious," I say, taking a small sip. My gaze locks onto his, bold and unflinching. "You do have quite the... reputation, Niko."

He chuckles, leaning forward slightly. "Oh, I do, huh? And what exactly have you heard?"

I shrug, feigning disinterest while keeping my voice laced with intrigue. "That you're a man who knows how to get what he wants." I set my glass down gently, resting my chin on my hand. "Tell me... how accurate is that?"

His smirk deepens, clearly enjoying the game. "Depends. Are you asking professionally or personally?"

My stomach churns, but I keep my expression playful. I lean in, letting him think he's winning. "Can't it be both?" My voice is smooth, teasing. "A man like you must have certain... connections. The kind that make you untouchable."

His grin widens, and he picks up his glass, savoring his sip like he's savoring the moment. "Let's just say I have friends in high places. You don't survive in my world without them."

Bingo.

I tuck that information away, keeping my expression light. "I can imagine. A man like you probably has the world in his pocket." I trace the rim of my glass with my finger, my voice dropping just a touch. "It must be exhausting... always having to stay ten steps ahead."

His eyes darken slightly, intrigued. "It's not for the faint of heart," he admits, his tone shifting lower. "But I've learned how to thrive under pressure."

I lean back, crossing my legs slowly, watching as his eyes flick downward before snapping back to mine. "Impressive," I purr. "You must have quite the network to make that happen. Tell me, Niko, what's your secret?"

He chuckles, shaking his head. "You're dangerous, Mariella. Asking questions like that..." His eyes gleam with amusement as he leans forward, elbows on the table. "But I like dangerous."

Gross.

I force a soft laugh, letting it sound flirtatious. "I'll take that as a compliment," I say smoothly. "But I can't help being curious. I mean, you intrigue me, Niko. It's not every day I meet someone who seems... untouchable." I let my fingers graze the stem of my glass, my movements slow, deliberate. "What's the trick? Is it money? Power? Fear?"

He smirks, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "A little bit of all three," he admits, his voice dripping with pride. "Money opens doors, power keeps them open, and fear... well, fear makes sure no one tries to shut them."

I nod slowly, pretending to be impressed. "And here I thought charm was your greatest weapon."

He laughs, deep and confident, and it makes my skin crawl. "Oh, don't worry, I have plenty of that too." His gaze lingers on my lips before meeting my eyes again. "But I'm starting to think I've finally met my match."

Please.

I tilt my head, giving him a slow, knowing smile. "Careful, Niko. You might actually make me blush."

"Good," he says, leaning closer. "I'd love to see that."

I mirror his movement, closing some of the space between us, my voice dropping to a whisper. "And I'd love to see what else you're capable of."

The tension between us thickens, but I know I've got him exactly where I want him. He's arrogant enough to think I'm genuinely interested, which means he's starting to drop his guard.

"So," I shift gears, keeping my tone light, "how does a man like you manage to stay so... untouchable? Surely someone's tried to cross you before."

He smirks, picking up his wine glass again, swirling the liquid lazily. "Let's just say... I have ways of making problems disappear."

My fingers tighten slightly on my glass.

Like my mother?

I tilt my head, curiosity threading through my voice. "Disappear? That's quite the trick. Care to share how?"

He leans back, his smirk never fading. "Now, now, Mariella. You wouldn't want me to give away all my secrets on the first date, would you?"

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. "Of course not. Where's the fun in that?" I take another sip of my wine, masking the way my pulse is pounding. "Still, it fascinates me. That kind of power... I can only imagine the things you've had to do to keep it."

His smirk falters just a little—barely noticeable, but it's there. "It's not for everyone," he says, watching me carefully. "Some people don't have the stomach for it."

"Oh, I don't know," I muse, running my finger along the rim of my glass. "I've heard stories. Men in power using the weak to climb higher. Removing obstacles. Making sure no one can challenge them." I glance at him through my lashes. "That must be why you're so... respected."

Something in his eyes shifts. It's still amusement, still arrogance—but there's a flicker of something colder. More calculating.

"You have quite the imagination," he murmurs, tilting his head slightly. "But you're not wrong."

I press my luck. "Ever had to make someone disappear yourself?"

He watches me for a long moment, then leans in. His voice is quieter now, almost eerie. "What makes you so interested in that, Mariella?"

I feign surprise. "Curiosity. That's all."

He doesn't buy it. His fingers tap against his wine glass—slow, deliberate. His smirk has faded into something unreadable. "Funny thing about curiosity," he muses. "Sometimes it leads to answers. Other times..." He lets the words linger.

I keep my expression cool, unfazed. "Other times what?"

His eyes meet mine, and for the first time tonight, the air between us shifts. It's no longer a game, no longer flirtation. There's something sharper beneath the surface.

"Other times, it gets you too close to the truth."

The silence stretches between us. I can feel him watching me, studying me. For the first time, I wonder if I've pushed too far too soon.

So I do what I do best. I smile.

"Well," I say, leaning back with a playful glint in my eyes. "Lucky for me, I like playing with fire."

He watches me for a second longer before the smirk returns, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Dangerous habit."

I raise my glass in a mock toast. "A girl's gotta have hobbies."

Good luck with that.

I maintain my playful demeanor, picking at my food while trying to steer the conversation back to him. But then, out of nowhere, he drops a bomb.

"So, about that dance you had with Leon the other night," he says casually, though I can tell he's been waiting to bring it up. "What were you two talking about?"

Someone snip me now.

My fork pauses mid-air, but I quickly recover, setting it down gracefully and leaning back in my chair. "Leon?" I echo, feigning confusion. "Oh, you know how men are these days. Talking nonsense, trying to impress me. It wasn't anything important."

Niko raises an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Nonsense, huh? Funny, because it didn't look like nonsense. Looked pretty serious, actually."

I laugh, shaking my head as if the idea is absurd. "You're reading too much into it. Leon's just a chatterbox. Honestly, I can't even remember half of what he said. Something about business deals and trying to one-up someone—typical man talk."

His eyes narrow slightly, but he doesn't press further, though I can tell he's still suspicious. "Hmm. Interesting."

I smile sweetly, pretending to be oblivious to his probing. "Why do you ask? Don't tell me you're jealous, Niko."

He laughs, but it's tight, like I've hit a nerve. "Jealous? No. Just... curious. You have this way of commanding attention wherever you go. Makes a man wonder."

I'll take that as a compliment.

I shrug, sipping my wine with a smirk. "It's not my fault if people can't take their eyes off me." I glance at him, letting my tone turn slightly teasing. "Present company included."

His grin returns, but there's still that calculating gleam in his eyes. "Guilty as charged."

I keep up the charade, laughing softly and shifting the focus back to him. But the whole time, I can feel the tension thickening. Niko's not just intrigued—he's watching me, analyzing me, trying to find cracks in my armor.

Too bad for him, I've spent my whole life making sure there aren't any.

As my phone buzzes again, a chill creeps up my spine. I try to ignore it, forcing my best sultry smile at Niko, but then—another one. And another. My fingers itch to check it, but I don't want to seem too eager. Niko notices, of course. He's been watching me all night like a hunter sizing up his prey.

"It's okay," he says smoothly, tilting his head. "You can answer it." His tone is casual, but his eyes tell a different story. He's clocking everything—my reaction, the hesitation.

I let out a soft chuckle, as if it's nothing, and finally pick up my phone. My stomach tightens the moment I see it.

Unknown Number.

I click on the messages. The first one makes my heart stop.

"You look absolutely sinful tonight, little princess."

I blink. My pulse kicks up. I force my face to stay unreadable. Another buzz.

"Red suits you. But then again, you'd look just as tempting in nothing at all."

My blood runs cold. Another one.

"Careful, little princess. Keep looking that good, and I just might have to come steal you for myself."

That dumb cunt...Leon.

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oop-

well well well

Leon what the freak man..

Bye, lovies! (っ◔◡◔)っ

Maddie♡

*mariella dress*