ADRIKO'S POV.

    I lit my cigar and took a deep puff. I always love Cubans. They tend to calm me down.

    They brought him. 

    The predatel (betrayer ) who thought he could get away with working with my enemies.

    Matvei was my head of security, he had been at my side for five years. I'd trusted him to guard my life and family but he has betrayed that trust. 

    I pondered on the best way to punish him, that would send a clear message to the other members of my bratva. Don't want these people to think i'm getting soft.

    I pointed to my men. "Take him down to the basement and tie him up. I'll be there shortly".

    They drag him away as he screams for mercy. By the time I'm done, he won't be screaming. I take my time and finish my cigar, then make my way towards the basement in quick steps. 

    The room is cold, its stone walls damp, illuminated by a single bulb swaying slightly from the ceiling.

    Sergei has my tools lined up and waiting. Pliers, a blowtorch, a hammer, and an assortment of blades.

    I proceed to roll up my sleeves. It's about to get messy.

    I pick up the pliers as I circle him. He's chained to the basement ceiling, legs up, head down. 

    "It's funny how you thought you could dine with my enemies and get away with it". I pause behind him and click the button for the lever and it immediately descends, dropping him to the floor. 

    I gesture to my men and they proceed to strap him to the chair. "Do you know the difference between bravery and stupidity?" I asked, my voice low and measured. 

    He didn't answer, his burst-up lips trembling as he stared at me like a cornered animal. I crouched down, my face now level with his. 

    "Bravery," I said quietly "is knowing when to speak." I let my words hang in the air before leaning in closer "Stupidity is thinking you can lie to me".

    I grip his chin, forcing him to look me in the eye. "So tell me" I murmured, "which one are you?"

    He shakes his head vigorously, the fabric on his mouth preventing him from speaking, fear evident in his eyes. Coward. I straighten up and clamp my hand around the pliers, testing their grip.

    "Let's find out which you are".

    I grab his hand and clamp the pliers on his left pinky and in one deft movement, sever it from his hand. His muffled screams tear through the gags and a wet patch is immediately visible on his thighs. The idiot wet himself.

    I tore off the restraint and his tortured screams envelope the room. "Are you ready to talk now?" I demand 

    "P-please," he wheezed, struggling for air "I'll talk!" 

    I took a step back, watching him sag in on himself. "Good", I said, my voice ice cold. "Then start with this ,Who were you meeting with?" The CCTV hadn't properly captured the face of the other man. He had been calculative enough to avoid the cameras. 

    Matvei hesitated, his gaze darting to Sergei as if looking for salvation. He wouldn't find it.

    "Every second you waste is another piece of you I take" I warned, glancing at the table behind me.

    The blowtorch looks tempting. I reached for it, before turning back to him. His breathing grew ragged.

    "Last chance" I snarl. He screams in agony as I turn it on and face the full force of the flames on his thighs.

    "It was Oda!" He blurted, his words tumbling out in a panicked rush. "An enforcer in the Yakuza!".

    "They paid me to give them intel! Please, I told you what you wanted-"

    I put on the blowtorch while ripping out another finger. His screams echoed off the walls. "You think that's enough?" I asked tossing the pliers onto the table with a clatter. Blood dripped from my hands onto the cold floor. 

    "What did they promise you?" I question, my voice dripping in contempt. He looks up at me in helplessness.

    "Your position". He breathes in a shaky voice "They promised that I'll be the new Pakhan once you were eliminated". 

    "They promised you my position?!" I repeated, my voice a low growl. I leaned closer, my eyes narrowing. "You couldn't even protect your own,What made you think you could handle mine?"

    "I want names. Every contact.Every place you've been.", my voice drops to a deadly whisper "Don't make me ask twice". 

    His chest heaved as he sobbed, his sweat and tears mixing with blood. "pozhaluysta" (please) he begged "It was just Oda and a few men. I don't know their names but we meet at the warehouse on Pier 19! That's all I know, I swear!" he rushes out. 

    I straightened, staring at Sergei. "Verify it".

    He nodded, pulling out his phone and stepping out of the room. I turned back to Matvei. His head hung low, blood dripping onto the concrete floor. 

    "You know what happens to anyone that breaks Vorovskoy Zakon right?" I ask, grabbing a fistful of his hair so he's forced to look at me. (The code of thieves)

    "Please" he rasped, his voice barely audible. "I have a family-" 

    "So did the people that died in that explosion " I snapped picking the knife from the table. "And they didn't get a choice either". 

    The blade was sharp, slicing cleanly across his throat. His body jerked once, then sagged against the restraints as blood pooled beneath the chair. 

    The door creaked open and Sergei stepped back in. "Pier 19 checks out," he reports "What do we do now boss?" 

    I wiped the blade on the dead man's shirt before slipping it back into its sheath. "We send a message ", I said. My voice cold and firm. "Burn the warehouse. Leave no survivors . "Make sure they know who did it". Sergei nodded, already pulling out his phone to relay the message.

    A commotion breaks out outside and Dima barges in, panic evident in his face. 

    "There's a situation boss" he rushes out. "Your wife is in the hospital, she's not breathing".

   SERAFINA’S POV

      Two days later-Stamford Hospital New York.

      The first thing I noticed was that I had a headache. I winced as I tried to open my eyes, the overhead bulb burning into my eyes. The smell of antiseptic hit me and I scrunch my nose in disgust. I was in a hospital. 

      “Serafina?” Adriko called in concern. My eyes moved to the side and there he was sitting on the chair beside me. His eyes locked onto mine, brows furrowed. 

      “W-what…happened?” my voice was faint,barely above a whisper 

      “You collapsed in the bathroom, and hit your head,” he said, his voice calm but tense. “You’ve been unconscious for two days”.

      Two days! My eyes widened as memories flashed through my mind. I had gone to use the restroom after the doctor left, I remember feeling dizzy before slumping and hitting my head against the sink.

      “I felt so weak”, I murmured, my fingers brushing the bandage on my forehead .”The room was spinning. I couldn't…” 

      “You couldn't what?” his tone sharpened and I flinched. 

      “I couldn't catch myself “ I whispered.

      He let out a sharp breath, his hands running through his hair. “It’s okay, just relax,” he said in a soothing voice as he caressed my knuckles absently, a gesture so tender it unsettled me.

      The door opened and Diana stepped in, her scrubs wrinkled, a worried look in her eyes that lit up when she saw me awake. 

      “Fina!” she gasped rushing to my side. Her hands fluttered over me, checking the monitors. “Thank God you're awake. You scared us all” 

      “What happened to me?” I asked, my voice steadier. 

      “You fainted fina,” she said gently fluffing the pillows beside me. “Exhaustion and low blood sugar”. 

      “Oh,” I breathed. 

      Her gaze softened “When was the last time you ate something real? Don’t lie to me”. She questions as she proceeds to check my vitals.

      I frowned as I pondered. I couldn't remember. Nadia had brought a tray of food to me that night after the doctor left but I hadn’t taken a bite from anything.

      I bite my lips as I whisper guiltily. “Before the wedding“

      Diana sighed as she adjusted the IV “You can't keep doing this Fina. You have to take care of yourself” she scolded softly though her tone was firm.

      She glanced at Adriko who was standing stiffly beside me. “She’ll be fine, but she needs food and lots of rest, no stress” she instructed.

      He nodded and strides towards the window, his phone already to his ear. His voice was low, rapid Russian that I couldn't understand spilling from his lips. He turned back to us after getting off the call.

      “Nadia’s on her way with food”. He announced, his eyes locked on mine. His intense gaze sent shivers through me.

      “Good!” Diana smiles “I’ll leave you too then.” she responds glancing between Adriko and me. 

      After Diana left, silence settled over the room like a fog. Adriko’s gaze didn't leave mine.

      He walked closer, his presence overwhelming. I tried to look away but his eyes drew me in. Why was he affecting me this way? I hated it, I didn't like the confusing emotions warring within me.

      He spoke in a low measured tone that was laced with his Russian accent. “The doctor said you’ll be discharged once you are conscious, but you need to rest.No stressful activities” he stated.

      I stiffened at his authoritative tone “Resting isn't an option Adriko. I have a performance coming up that I need to prepare for” 

      His jaw tightened “That's not happening“ he snaps 

      I glare at him “Excuse me? I don't need your permission to do anything”. 

      His eyes narrowed, the anger in his gaze burning into me. “This isn’t a request. It’s an order” he fumed “You don't have the luxury of being reckless, not right now”. 

      “You don't get to decide that” I shot back, heat rising in my chest “You're not my keeper”. 

      “No” he leaned down, his voice dangerously low “I am your husband Serafina and that means you belong to me, every inch of you“. The air between us was thick with tension, as we stared each other down.

      A timid knock breaks the tense silence. We glance towards the door as it opens to reveal Nadia, Sergei right behind her. 

      “Hello dear” she beamed as she walked towards me, Concern evident in her eyes “I’ve been so worried, I’m happy to see you're well” 

      “Uhmm…Thank you Nadia” I muttered shyly. Her show of concern makes a warm feeling go through me. 

      From the corner of my eye, I notice Adriko and Sergei talking discreetly, heads close together, their tone too low for me to figure out what was being said.

      He straightens and strides towards my bed. His hand reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. The touch sent a mixture of anger and unexpected shivers down my spine. How dare he be distant and cold in one moment and tender the next?

      “I’ll be back soon”, he whispered, his breath caressing my skin. “Rest for now and make sure you eat up”. 

      He didn't look back as he walked out with Sergei, but his presence lingered, a reminder of the growing, impossible tangle of emotions I couldn't control. 

      ♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧♧

      LATER THAT NIGHT.

      Nadia had left after ensuring I ate a good portion of the food she had brought, the doctor had also stopped by and declared me fit to go home.

      There’s a sharp knock on the door 

      “come in” I call

      I glance at the door as the familiar faces of my father and Tessa appear. He smiles awkwardly as he approaches.

      “Come stai, figlia?” (how are you daughter?) he asked nervously.

      “sto bene papà” (I’m fine Dad) I respond in a clipped tone. 

      My father was the last person I wanted to see. After how he sold me off, I don't think we can ever have a normal father-daughter relationship.

      “Diana informed us that you were awake so we came to see how you were” he continued as Tessa moved closer to the bed pulling me into a bone-crushing hug, whispering in a shaky voice, her hands framing my cheeks

      “Cara Mia” she gushed. “Grazie a dio stai bene” (my dear. Thank God you are fine). 

      An affectionate smile tugs at my lips “Grazie Tessa” (Thank you )

      I chatted with Tessa for a while then my father announced that they had to leave as he had a meeting with Don Marco.

      Alone in the quiet room, my thoughts refused to settle. My conversation with Adriko played in my mind and my fists clenched as I remembered his infuriating orders. He can't stop me from performing. That was the only thing in my life right now that was still normal and I refuse to let it go. 

      My eyes drifted to the window that I had left slightly open. A figure moved in the balcony, clad in black from head to toe, a mask over the face. I blinked hard. Was I seeing things?

      My heart leaped in my throat as cold sweat broke out on my skin. I stared at the figure, hoping i was hallucinating.

      My fingers shook as I held my phone to my chest, willing my racing heart to slow down. 

      I pressed my back against the headboard, my breaths coming out in shallow pants. My gaze darted around the room, searching for something I could use to defend myself.

      My wing was a private wing, there shouldn't be anyone here.

      The doorknob rattled. The sound sent a jolt through me. I tried to move but fear paralyzed me. My thumb flew over my screen as I sent a message to Adriko

      ‘Please get here quick. There’s someone here’.

      My eyes flew to the door in alarm as it slowly creaked open…