ze took a drag of the cigarette stuck between his index and middle fingers; his eyes narrowed as he continued to lurk in the shadows. He had been standing on the highest floor of an unfinished building for what felt like hours now, yet he hadn’t seen anything out of the ordinary. Paolo Salvatore and Janice remained inessible.


    With the limited information he’d gathered from Annalise, he managed to locate the residence. It wasn’t an easy task, but ze knew his way around even the most dangerous situations.


    The Salvatore’s residence was situated at the farthest side of the city of Cooan. The two-story house in front of him exuded hostility. It felt colder than the De Luca vi at first nce, and he couldn’t help but imagine how much Janice and Annalise had endured at the hands of their cruel father.


    ze sighed, leaning against the wall. He didn’t hold much hope of seeing them soon. Still, he was determined to stay, for Sandro needed information, and ze couldn’t leave without providing it.


    Shutting his eyes briefly, he opened them again and stood abruptly as they met hers. “Alessia,” ze gritted his teeth, willing his legs not to jump down from the building and move towards her.


    He knew she wasn’t Arabe. There was no way Arabe would befortable in thepany of such a man. Besides, Arabe always carried positive energy around her. Yet, at first nce, he’d let himself believe she was the one.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    ze continued to stare at Alessia, whose back was turned to him, until Janice emerged from the house, followed by a man he believed to be Paolo Salvatore. He was a tall man with greying hair, appearing to be in his mid or perhapste forties. ze didn’t care about his age. It was the tattoo on his raised hand that captivated him.


    Zooming in with the binocrs on Paolo’s hand, a curse escaped him, and he quickly concealed himself near a wall as Paolo turned his gaze toward the building. ze lingered there for a while, not daring toe out. He couldn’t be sure if Paolo had spotted him, but ze was certain that someone was watching him.


    Alessia, Janice, and Paolo retreated indoors, causing ze to exhale in relief. His thoughts circled back to the tattoo. He’d seen it before-an eagle with a cross encircled by a wolf. He was certain of that, but ze couldn’t ce where.


    His brows furrowed in deep concentration, yet nothing emerged in his mind. Perhaps Sandro would know, he reasoned.


    After all, Sandro was the one with numerous enemies, and he was familiar with most people’s symbols, except for the neers’ gangs.


    Janice’s father wasn’t a neer, though. Now, ze believed every word Annalise had said about her father being a formidable man. He certainly looked the part, and ze had no desire to cross his path. Even if he did, he was certain he wouldn’t go down without a fight.


    ze hopped down from the building, walking towards his bike, and swiftly rode off.


    When he arrived at the De Luca vi, he spotted Sandro outside the building with some of the members wandering about.


    ze parked to the side, dismounting and furrowing his brow.


    “What’s going on?” he asked, noting the rage etched on Sandro’s face.


    “We were attacked,” Annalise exined. “Luckily, Alessandro saw it and intervened.”


    “He killed them?” ze inquired. It wouldn’t be surprising, considering how seriously Sandro took any threat against him.


    “No, they’re in the dungeon, and he’s pressing them for answers on who sent them,” Annalise rified.


    “Good for them,” ze remarked. “They walked into the Alpha’s den.”


    “My traitorous ex-best friend and Beta,” Sandro said as he approached ze and Annalise. Thetter quickly bowed and retreated, giving them privacy to talk.


    “Are you trying to add her to your list of conquests? Just know I am disgusted with you,” Sandro’s lips twisted in disdain.


    “For a while, I’ve only been involved with two people…”


    “Oh, the bitch who kept throwing herself at you,” Sandro scoffed. “I’m not surprised. And who’s the second?”


    “You know who,” ze replied, shrugging.


    Sandro’s frown deepened before he caught on to whom ze was referring. His hand clenched into a fist, and he struck ze’s jaw before he could stop himself.


    “What the hell?!” ze gasped, staggering backward. Blood trickled from his mouth, and he clutched his now throbbing jaw.


    “I’ve been wanting to do that for a while since you’ve been missing and took Arabe with you. Now I did; it feels so good,” Sandro admitted.


    “You should not provoke me over Arabe,” Sandro warned. “I’ll only be lenient with you for the time being, as I need information from the spy’s father. I can end this right now if I choose to.” He patted at the gun that was inside his jeans pocket.


    ze grimaced, his eyes narrowed, and he turned to find everyone watching. He wondered about the repercussions if he retaliated against Sandro. The odds were undoubtedly against him, so he pushed back the thoughts.


    “Clean up; we have some discussing to do,” Sandro patted his back before stepping away.


    “Fucking psycho!” ze hissed.


    It had clearly been a provocation, and he felt no remorse for his response. He only wished Sandro would release Arabe and deal with him instead. Yet, Sandro desired her and still wanted to punish him.


    ze strode towards the vi, still gripping his jaw. He halted as Annalise rushed towards him.


    “Are you alright? I saw what happened!” She voiced her concern.


    “It’s fine,” ze attempted tough but winced instead. “I’ll survive. I’ve taken far worse hits from him.”


    “I brought this as soon as I saw what happened,” She extended an ice pack towards him, but he shook his head.


    “I’ll manage,” he insisted.


    “I can help heal,” he added.


    Annalise blushed, “Right.”


    ze nodded, chuckling. His amusement wasn’t due to her blush but rather a memory of Janice tending to his injuries after Sandro had struck him repeatedly.


    ze’s expression darkened as thoughts of seeing Janice in that building crossed his mind again.


    Alessia and Janice were the enemy, having attempted to harm both him and Arabe. Annalise wanted Janice to be seen in a new light, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t give her a piece of his mind if given the chance.


    “I need to meet with Sandro, and thanks for the ice pack,” ze said, finally epting it from her.


    Annalise nodded, letting him go. She bit her lower lip, watching him disappear into the building.


    She exhaled, muttering, “I should have asked him.” She was curious about Janice. She wondered if ze had seen her.


    Perhaps she could ask himter if she got the chance to do so.


    Twirling a lock of her hair out of habit, Annalise made her way towards her room.