I tapped repeatedly on the number, but it went to voicemail every single time. This was a problem, a huge one. I was being targeted for something I had absolutely no idea about. I needed a drink and a clear mind to think.

Ignoring the condition of my room, I grabbed my key from my bag and headed out. I ignored the number of guards in the house. It doesn't help that I still didn't know who my husband was. I hadn't heard his name, not even by mistake, and here I was, a target for something I didn't even know.

"Where are you going?"

"This is not the time, Javier. I have more important things to deal with. Do not come between me and my work. My father tried and failed." To my surprise, he let me pass without saying a single thing.

Seems he was finally accepting his fate with this. I was not leaving my job for anything. I got into the car and dialed the number I never thought I would, gripping the wheel tightly.

"Isa?"

"Never call me that, brother," I growled.

"Calm down with the aggression, even though I know you love it." My body stilled, and a flash of memory crossed my mind, but a horn behind me snapped me out of it. "Are you there?"

"I have a task for you. I don't give a shit whether you and Father choose to keep me away from your business, but I want in."

"Get rid of your job."

"I know Father has something to do with the people trying to kill me, and now I know you knew he auctioned me to Javier Delgado. So you might as well let me in or I'll tell the entire society what you did." Even if he wasn't here, I knew there was deliberation clearly on his face.

"Are we seriously heading that way?"

"Don't tempt me, Matteo," My fingers tightened around the wheel but I wasn't joking, and he knew that too well.

One sentence, and everything they had dreamed about would crumble to the ground in an instant. And it might just be bloody. To make it better, I really didn't give two fucks if they lived or died.

"I'm running out of time."

"Fine! There's a party happening this evening, and I'm certain your darling husband will bring you. I'll tell you what you want." I hung up before he said anything else.

I took a turn toward the downside of town. Even if my father was a well-known man, no one truly knew I was related to him. Dolores and Matteo, yes, they knew. But me? I've always been the shadow of that hellhole of a family.

The car came to a halt as I parked opposite a bar and sat there for ten minutes. I knew there was no way I was getting information if I didn't get in, and it was just a matter of days before I started pushing my husband truly for answers.

I walked into the bar with my hands shoved into my pockets, then took a seat at the bartender's.

"Good to see you again, bela," the bartender grinned before I slammed my hand against his in a tight handshake.

"I do hope you haven't been getting into trouble?"

He passed me a glass of mixed whiskey, and I began to wonder why in the world I'd stopped drinking in the first place.

"You know I wouldn't break the law... or am I under arrest?" He raised his hand in surrender, and I let out a laugh.

"Good to see you again, Deen." I grabbed another glass before downing it without blinking.

Just as I pulled out the pencil, a hand touched my back, I jerked. I immediately turned to meet eyes with a drunk man.

"Hey, pretty face."

"Get your filthy hands off me before I make your face truly pretty," I glared, and he laughed, throwing his head back.

"Feisty. I love her." He trailed his finger to my waist, and without thinking, I reached for it and twisted it so fast.

"You little bitch!" I punched my ring into his face, breaking his nose in the process.

"See? Looking pretty already." The bouncers pulled him away from me before things could escalate but I wanted things to escalate.

"Let go of me!" He struggled with the bouncers, and I held onto my glass, staring down at him.

"Cheers to a new pretty face." I clinked glasses with Deen but refused to take my eyes off him. I could see the clear smoke of anger steaming from his ears.

After five more glasses, I was ready to go back to my murder board. Picking up two bottles, I began heading toward the door when I saw a shadow and in a span of two seconds, the glass windows and door shattered right before me. Just like in the movies, I was in the middle of it.

Gunshots began, and without thinking, I threw both bottles at them.

"There she is!" I heard someone yell, and realized I was the one being pointed out.

Six against one. Or more like four. But I didn't like my chances here.

Without thinking, I pulled a table next to me and blocked three bullets fired at me. That was close. I reached for my gun, and realized it wasn't there....The hell?

My gun is never... Javier. That bastard!

This was bad.

I moved left, and a hand caught me, but I didn't let it pull me back. I stood my ground, grabbed a bottle, smashed it against his head, and punched his face.

My fingers were going to be numb after this.

Screams echoed in the room. I grabbed the gun from the unconscious man before I pulled the trigger on one of them. I looked to make sure there were no civilians in danger, and to my luck... that was too fast.

"Goodness... Deen!" I screamed, and a gun was thrown from the bar. I pulled the trigger on the bastard and pulled the little girl behind me immediately. "...Where's your mother?" I spoke softly without looking at her.

"I don't know."

"Honey, I need you to turn around and head toward that corridor. Do not turn around and run fast!"

She ran, and I blocked any path to her. I heard a gunshot and I was too late as the bullet pierced my rib. A grunt left my lips.

My vision blurred for a split second, but I blinked it away and ignored the stabbing pain.

"Let's go quietly, and I don't have to put more blood on your hands." I turned to look at the last man standing with a woman and a gun pressed against her head. "...Drop the guns."

I kept them down immediately while putting my hands up in surrender.

"Let go of her, and I'll follow you."

"Drop every weapon." I pulled my dagger and dropped it.

"There's nothing on me."

"Get up." I did as I was told, keeping my eyes trained on the woman who was in tears. Pain stabbed at my ribs, and dizziness hit me, but I stood, I needed to stand. "...Hands behind you and walk to me." I carefully walked, knowing any slight movement could kill her. But I could barely stand.

He grabbed me forcefully, and I watched the woman run for her life. But my heart launched to my throat as he shot her while she ran and she fell to the floor.

"How could-" My head felt dazed from the blood I had already lost, and I couldn't see clearly. But then I heard a crash.

My world began to spin, and I felt my body falling to the floor.

"Who dares to touch my wife?"

My head felt like it was on a rollercoaster, my vision a bit blurry, but I continued to stare at the white ceiling above me.

What the hell happened?

The bar, the bandit, and... Javier.

My vision cleared, and I pushed myself off the bed so fast I immediately fell back as my body collided with something... or rather, someone.

"Should I get the nurse?" I blinked and saw a young woman I definitely did not recognize.

I need to get back. I don't belong here.

"Where's my phone?" I searched the annoying hospital gown, and frustration got the best of me as I couldn't find it anywhere.

I needed to make calls.

"I'll get the nurse," she said and ran out of the room. I got up from the bed while trying to keep my legs steady on the floor.

I needed to make calls. Did Javier get hurt? If the bastard didn't take my gun, we wouldn't have been in this situation and... the dinner party, Jesus! This is not going as planned.

I changed into my clothes before the nurse even arrived.

"Ma'am, we need you to..."

"Where's my husband? Who brought me here?"

"Ma'am!" I glared at her, and her eyes remained fixed on the wound I had created on my arm from removing the tube.

"It's not that you should be worried about. Where the hell is my husband, and who brought me here?"

"Deen... Deen brought you here. And we haven't seen your husband. But ma'am, we need you to sit down so we can..."

"There's no need. Where's my phone?" I looked at her while I tried to maintain my balance.

"Ma'am, we'll have to keep you for now. The police are doing an investigation on the case..." A bitter laugh escaped me.

"I am the police. Officer Rois. Get the hell out of my way." She moved as I showed her the badge and grabbed my phone from her hand.

Javier had just walked in when I passed out, and why the hell was he not here? And who was that lady?

I shouldn't be worried about him. If he had ever cared, he would've stayed. But what the hell am I thinking? A made man caring? That's impossible.

I had the entire hospital looking at me like I was crazy, but in fact, I was mad at that bastard for taking my gun. I took a cab home, tapping my foot restlessly, then called Matteo.

"It's been two days. I didn't see you at the party, and I assumed you refused to come with your husband. Or did he ditch you for the maid he brought along with him?" I swallowed, ignoring the amusement in his voice.

"My marital affairs are absolutely none of your business. I'll meet you at the bridge in six hours. Do not be late."

"You don't order me..."

"Do not test the patience I have left, Matteo. You have six hours to get me a file and information I can work on, and it better not be fake." I hung up and sent a voice mail that could destroy him and Father, then took a shallow breath.

The memories were still fresh in my head, but I chose to ignore them. These are memories that should not be remembered. They should always be locked away until I have the evidence I need.

The car came to a halt, and I walked into the house with my hands in my pocket. None of his cars were missing, so there was no doubt he was home.

"Javier!" I yelled as I opened the door, and to my surprise, a group of men sat in the sitting room with my lovely husband having a meeting. "...Gentlemen."

"Isabela," Javier warned, looking at me, but I honestly didn't care.

"Gentlemen, be kind enough to leave. I want to have a conversation with my husband. Now." They all looked at me and then back to Javier, who had his eyes shut.

"Didn't you hear her?" His voice echoed in the room, causing chills to run down my spine. But I wasn't scared of him.

Everyone left the table, and I took a seat.

"Why did you pick my gun?" He raised his eyebrows at me.

"You ended my meeting because of a stupid gun?" He sounded pissed, but I continued to stare.

"Answer the question, Javier."

"I will not have this conversation."

"Are you serious? You picked my gun without my permission and rendered me almost dead. Then what? Appeared at the scene like some damn hero to save the day and left me in the hospital with a woman!" His iced eyes glared at me with such coldness it could be mistaken for the mist of Antarctica.

"I. Will. Not. Have this conversation." He adjusted his suit and pushed the seat back, but I stopped him.

"That isn't your choice to make!" He took three strides and was standing in my face within seconds.

"I am sick of you." I laughed.

"Says the man who chose to buy me at the auction my stupid father put me up for. You weren't reasonable enough to think why a man would choose to sell a woman?" His knuckles turned white as he made a tight fist.

"You have no idea what your fool of a father wanted to do to you, do you?" His calmness sent chills down my spine.

"I do not consider him to be my father."

"You know the law better than anyone, Officer. So tell me, who the hell is your guardian legally? Because it's certainly not you." He took a step forward, and I backed away.

I swallowed, knowing the truth. Father was my legal guardian. And now him. He owns me now, and there was nothing I could do about it.

"You speak of the law, yet you are the one going against it." My hands curled into fists as he looked down on me like I was nothing, and no one.

"I want a divorce."