Guilt

I stood there in the silence he left behind, the sheet wrapped around my naked body,stared at the money and felt used. Unloved and unwanted.

I reached out to it slowly, my hands trembling,and then it fell from my hands and scattered, as I bent down to pick I couldn't hold my tears as I buried my face with my hands.

" What the hell was I thinking?" I cried with a heaving chest hitting myself "what was I thinking?" My teeth gnashed in pain "I thought I mattered, I thought — fuck, "

I curled in on myself, hugging my knees to my chest, trying to make myself small.his scents still lingered in the room and I hate the way I craved more of it.

Alessandro POV

My shoe hit the pavement with heavy thuds, fast and reckless, I wish I could undo what has been done, I couldn't stop reminiscing every scene, her eyes were teary, the way she looked at me back in the room, I felt a bit broken.

I cursed under my breath "Fuck you De Luca "

and yanked my phone out. After I got a buzz.

"Jayden, Where are you?"

"Warehouse C. The guy is really a Big deal, lot of cash, Columbian client, a fast talker."

"And Quantity?"

"Bulk boss"

"Give me twenty minutes," I snapped.

 "That girl still with you?" Jayden asked calmly knowing his boss hang out with ladies.

I didn't answer. Just ended the call.

I shouldn't have fallen for her softness. I know what this life is all about, Cold heart, no love, No emotion, if not you will get screwed up, God she was all about softness. Like I line I want to cross.

But I did anyways.

And left her the way every man should.

A coward.

A thought ran through my mind as my hands ran through my hair "Fuck! I shouldn't have dropped the cash it wasn't for her, I just wanted to draw a line" I said under my breath

Because the second I slid into her, tasted her lips, my body against hers, I knew I was fucked .she was a snippet of a night I don't want to forget.

She was danger.

Not to my empire, but to me.

I reached the car and slammed the door shut behind me. My reflection in the rearview mirror was scary, The face of a man who could kill, lie, disappear.

My driver hit the gas hard "boss, you good ?"

"Yeah"

He drove to the warehouse loomed ahead—steel and concrete, I stepped down and I lit a cigarette as I approached the side entrance. Two of my men nodded without a word and pulled the knob and the door opened. The moment I stepped inside, the warehouse reek of alcohol and a scent of oil, metal, and danger hit me like home.

Jayden stood by the crates, arms crossed, looking bored. His sharp eyes met mine with a smirk.

"You finally ditched the girl, huh?"

I blew out smoke to his face. "She's not your business."

He nodded 

I walked past him, and turned the corner into the inner chamber.

There he was.

The client

Late 40s, dark bald hair, and a silk shirt he wore, His gold chain hung around his neck , He was very thick with his columbian accent, chewing on a toothpick and sat on my chair like he owned the place.

"Hola mi amigo Alessandro,"(hello my friend Alessandro ) he greeted, arms spread like we were old friends. "Oí que tu eres el que maneja la vaina buena" ( I hear you're the man with the real product.)

I didn't smile. I didn't shake his hand.

"o soy el que decide si te vas de aquí con vida" (I'm the man who decides whether you leave here with your life,) I said flatly.

His grin faltered for half a second.

Jayden chuckled from behind me. "Told you my boss isn't an easy one, you don't come in here acting like you've got leverage."

"Tengo dinero" (I've got money) the man said, reaching into his briefcase and showing a flash of bills.

"Así lo hace todo el mundo "(So does everyone) I replied. "Pero no vendo a cualquiera" (But I don't sell to everyone).

He cleared his throat, nodding. "You want a sample? Or a sample of my loyalty?.

"None," I said, stepping closer. "I want silence. No attention. And if I hear my name out of your fucking mouth,you will be down."

He swallowed hard.

I could see the fear in his eyes

That's what I wanted 

His mind was unsettled.

I blinked it away, snapped my fingers at Jayden. "Show him the crate."

Jayden dragged out the crate from underneath a sack and popped it open. Untouched, wrapped and real.

The Colombian man's eyes lit up. As he picked one pack of drugs up and sniffed it hard "You run this port entirely by yourself?, Now this is what I want"

I smiled faintly. "I run more than that."

As he inspected the contents, my phone buzzed again.

Unknown number.

My heart skipped a beat

I didn't answer.

Still trying to forget the sound of her voice, I walked round inspecting the work.

The Colombian was still admiring the crate, like it was a gold that fell from heaven,his fingers twitching as he was calculating his gain and how much he will sell it out to the street. And then he switched as he glared at me with so many questions to ask, Not business something more filthier.

"I've heard your empire doesn't just move powder," he said, tilting his head. "You have other resources. Sweet Girls. Young and daring, Pretty and Obedient, good tongue masters. Hun?"

I was startled I just stared.

He leaned forward, voice lowering. "I have clients in Mexico, Paris , Dubai… they pay very well for girls with dating eyes and nothing left to speak about, If you can bring me a few—just a small shipment to test—There's more cash in it than coke"

Jayden nudged me, but I held up a hand to keep him quiet.

"How many?" I asked.

"Five. For now," the man said, "Tomorrow night, no bruises no stain, Clean as fuck. I don't mind where you intend getting them, You know your way, just ensure they are wrapped properly."

There was a long silence.

Then I nodded once. "Deal."

Jayden walked to My black SUV as he held my hands slightly didn't want to irritate me 

"Boss, You sure about this?" he muttered under his breath. "We've stayed away from trafficking because it's too dirty, Remember what happened the last time."

I lit a cigarette and exhaled smoke to his face, I do that often to shut him up. "Money talks louder than morals in this business. Do your job. And make sure it happens tomorrow."

Jayden cursed under his breath "Fuck"

 but nodded. "Alright."

The warehouse lights faded in my rearview mirror as my driver Damian drove me off, I tried to remove the whole thought of Camila from my head, but it sting me like a bee.

By the time I pulled into the garage, it was almost 2 AM.

The Penthouse was bright even in the darkness, its lights were bright, too bright.

I stepped in and shut the door behind me with a soft click.

Then I saw her.

Emilia.

Laying on the couch, barefoot and her Robe half tied, eyes swollen as she looked very tired . She looked up as her gaze met mine

"You're quite late".she murmured. "Where did you go to?"

I didn't reply.

She stood, walking toward me with an unreadable expression "Another business trip? Or was this one of your mistresses?"

I stared at her, silent.

Because even if I told her where I was, she wouldn't be surprised.

And she hated me for it.

But she stood waiting for a response.

She's never leaving.

Not yet.

She stood hands crossed, legs were stomping on the floor in anticipation.

"Where were you?" she asked again, voice low, almost too calm.

I tossed my keys on the marble counter, loosening the top button of my shirt.

"I Got a deal with a Client, a big one "

Her laugh was short, sharp. "Right. Business.I thought as much, Do you have a watch Alessandro?, you reek of perfume"

I smirked "should I reek of alcohol?, sweet and engine oil?"

"Was it her?" she asked. "Is it the same girl I've always known because trust me it's not gonna be funny. Or did you find a new one to ruin?"

My jaw tightened. "This again?"

"Yes. This again." Emilia took a step closer. 

"Do you even remember your promises to Dad? Do you remember this joke of a marriage was to make your dirty work safe." She yelled out "you owe me Alessandro "

"I never promised to love you," I said bluntly.

"No, but you promised to be there for me, never to humiliate me"

I exhaled slowly, staring at her. "Then don't go digging where you know you'll bleed, I'm here for you that's why I never brought any woman to our matrimonial home."

She flinched.

A beat of silence passed before she whispered, "Does she know you are married?"

"No."

"Will she?"

"No."

"Then she's nothing special," Emilia said, folding her arms tighter around her chest. "Except this time… you stayed out longer, are you ok?, why do you look pale? Are you feeling guilty?"

"Enough," I snapped, louder than I meant to. "This marriage is a convenience. You knew about it and you signed it, why the fuck are you interested about my personal shit?"

She stepped back her eyes teary "it wasn't a convenience when you came to my room 3 years ago asking for my hands in marriage so you can disguise to be under my father to keep your dirty job hidden."

I didn't answer. Because she was right.

"I Made you become the man you are today,and now you barely need me except you want to walk down the red carpet as your queen fuck you."

I moved toward the stairs. "Don't threaten me, Emilia. My empire was and has been before you, you only made it secure, and don't mention anything about 3 years ago because I promise you, I'll make you drown in tears. This isn't a threat but a warning." 

I took a step and turned back "Don't push me "