"Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets." - Arthur Miller

WARNING: This chapter might be triggering for some people and has some mature content as well as sensitive topics. If you are not comfortable with such content I would suggest you skip the part between "**"

~~

My eyes opened slowly and I blinked in confusion as I took in the unfamiliar surroundings. The room I was in was plain and bland nothing like the ones in Sebastian's house.

It took me a moment to recall everything that had taken place yesterday.

Sebastian's home had been compromised so we had to move into one of the Alfonsi family's many safe-houses. The one we were currently in was more like a small hotel than a house. Sebastian had chosen adjacent rooms for us to stay in.

The sound of two people arguing suddenly caught my attention, I realized that it was probably what had woken me up. The voices came from Sebastian's room.

"What do you want uncle, why are you here?" I heard Sebastian snap.

"Sai perché sono qui (You know why I'm here)." A cold voice responded.

A chill raced up my spine when I recognized who the voice belonged to.

Lucian's father, the head of the Alfonsi family, the current Don.

Il Demonio.

And Sebastian had just called him uncle!

Sebastian was the nephew of the head of the Alfonsi family.

Which also meant that Lucian and Sebastian were cousins?

"Dov'è la ragazza (Where is the girl)?" The man's cold voice demanded.

My chest tightened in panic. I knew he was talking about me.

"She is of no concern to you." Sebastian spoke in a low voice.

"She is with you, which makes her my concern."  His response was emotionless.

"She passed your test. What more do you want from her? You know that she is loyal." Sebastian gritted out.

The man chuckled. "That test only proved that she is loyal to you not that she isn't a liability to this family."

"She is not a liability." Sebastian cut in.

"Are you sure about that, Sebastian? She is the reason why we lost our contract with Ian, he's been a loyal client for years, up until you threatened to kill him."

"Ian is a scumbag." Sebastian hissed.

His uncle chuckled again, a cruel cackling sound. "That maybe so but he is a scumbag with a lot of money, money he had no trouble putting into our pockets, until your little girlfriend showed up." He paused. "And now your house is compromised because of her. So tell me, do you really believe that she is not a liability?"

"She is not a liability." Sebastian repeated.

"Then prove it. You know what has to be done."

"That is not going to happen." Sebastian's voice rose.

"You have two hours to prepare her."

The door slammed shut and then there was silence

There was a soft knock on the door connecting the two rooms.

"Come in." I called out, I already knew it was Sebastian.

"You heard everything." He said quietly, it was a statement not a question.

"Yes." I whispered.

Sebastian sighed, the frustration clearly evident on his face.

"What does he want me to do?" I finally managed to ask.

His jaw clenched, eyes narrowing ever so lightly.

"It doesn't matter because you won't be doing it."

"I'm perfectly capable of making my own decisions." My voice came out sharp.

His shoulders stiffened but he didn't argue with me.

"What does your uncle want me to do, to prove that I'm not a liability?" I asked again.

He took a deep breath. "He wants you to assist me in one of my tasks."

He came closer till we were practically standing chest to chest. His hands grasped my shoulders.

"Don't do this Angelica, it will be a mistake. I don't want you to be part of this hell that is my life." His head lowered so that his pleading eyes could meet mine. "Please say you won't."

I swallowed.

"If I ask you to leave this life behind, will you? Will you leave with me?"

He didn't respond but I got my answer by the way he stepped away from me and trained his gaze on the floor.

Blood before all.

He wasn't going anywhere.

I raised my chin up stubbornly.

"Then I guess you have two hours to prepare me."

~~

I gazed at her dark smoky eyelids and red stained lips. The gold sequenced dress she wore ended mid-thigh and had a plunging neckline.

The woman gazing back at me through the mirror looked nothing like me. The transformation was unreal, I couldn't even recognize myself. My head was already starting to hurt by how tightly my hair had been tied over my head into a high pony-tail.

The torturous shoes I wore added about six inches to my height.

I was completely out of my comfort zone.

As soon as Sebastian had left a stern looking middle aged woman had walked into the room she had started working on my face, hair and clothes without uttering a single word. I'd stopped trying to talk to her after my first couple of failed attempts.

There was a soft knock on the door.

Sebastian walked in as soon as I called out that the door was open.

My breath hitched when I saw him.

He wore a black leather jacket with a tight fitting black V-neck shirt underneath. His legs were encased in dark jeans. I noticed that he was wearing black combat boots.

Although his clothes were casual he looked different somehow, sharper, seductive almost.

Sebastian's eyes trailed over me leisurely, sweeping from head to foot. My whole body erupted in strange, but not unpleasant tingles.

His face was impassive when his face finally met mine but my eyes caught the slight bob of his throat as he swallowed.

"Shall we go?" I asked finally.

He gave me a stiff nod. "Yes, but let's go through the basics once more."

I nodded in agreement.

"Who are you?" He asked.

"Veronica Ricci." I responded immediately. "I am 26 years old, rich, arrogant. I believe I'm too important to give anyone more than a second glance."

Sebastian tilted his chin up in approval.

"And who am I?" His eyes darkened.

"You are Vincenzo Ricci, my husband." I breathed. "The only man good enough for me."

"And who is the target?" Sebastian questioned, his voice hard.

"Giovanni Russo, the owner of a local Casino." I responded not missing a beat.

"Looks like you're ready, Tesoro." His lips twisted into a wry smile.

"Let's go."

~~

We were parked outside the casino.

I sat in the passenger's seat while Sebastian sat in the driver's seat beside me.

Sebastian's gaze trained on me, his expression serious, "Before we go inside there are two things which you need to know." He murmured. "Once we go inside you have to follow my lead, you have to do everything I say no matter what it is, you need to trust that whatever I tell you is for your own safety."

"What's the second thing?" I was almost too afraid to ask.

His eyes softened and his expression became regretful. "You need to remember that the person with you inside that casino isn't me. That is not who I am, that person is not someone I ever want to be. He is a façade, a mask. The things you see will see today may change your perspective about me but I just want you to know that this is not something I am proud of."

I took a deep breath and nodded.

My feet were unsteady when I got out of the car, it was hard to tell whether it was from how nervous I was or the fact that I was wearing shoes with six inch heels for the first time.

Sebastian offered me his arm and I took it hurriedly. I noticed that even with my heels I still only managed to reach his shoulders.

I jutted my chin up haughtily and twisted my lips into a sly smirk trying my best to be Veronica Ricci and not Angelica Hale.

As we walked towards the entrance of the casino a thought suddenly occurred to me.

"How will we find the target?" I whispered in Sebastian's ear.

His lips twisted into a wry smirk. "We won't. He will find us."

He tugged me forward gently. "No matter what happens, stay in character." He whispered in my ear as entered the Casino.

The place was filled with people.

Sebastian led me towards what seemed to be a fancy-looking bar.

We settled down on one of the plush sofas.

"One Martini and one Gin and Tonic per favore." Sebastian told the waiter casually.

One of his arms was draped on the couch behind me. His thumb leisurely drew circles on my shoulder making Goosebumps erupt on my arms. He leaned towards me. His nose skimmed against my jaw making my breath hitch.

Suddenly I felt his teeth tugging my ear lobe.

"Sebastian-" I breathed in confusion but his hand squeezed my thigh in warning. I was reminded of what he'd said to me earlier about staying in character no matter what happened.

His hand traveled leisurely up my throat and settled to cup my face, he tilted my face to the side and started trailing hot open mouthed kisses up my neck.

Oh my

What is happening right now?

"Giovanni Russo is known to have . . . vulgar tastes." Sebastian suddenly whispered between kisses. His breath warmed my skin.

"What?" I breathed. My brain had practically turned into mush the second Sebastian's lips had met my skin.

"He likes to watch." Sebastian responded, he licked a path up my shoulder to my jaw and I had to hold back my moan.

He likes to watch.

His words registered in my fuzzy brain and I finally caught on to what he was doing.

I leaned forward and nuzzled the soft spot beneath his ear. I felt his sharp exhale. "You are trying to catch his attention."

"Yes." His voice was husky when he responded.

"Is it working?" I whispered as I placed a gentle kiss at the very edge of his lips.

"Not yet." He murmured.

My lips twisted into a smirk. "Then maybe we should try harder."

My heart thudded wildly as I shifted to straddle Sebastian's lap. His eyes widened ever so slightly, giving away his shock but he recovered quickly and placed his hands on my hips. His body responded immediately and I felt him stiffen beneath me.

"This is all for show. This doesn't mean anything." I reminded myself.

I kissed the edge of his mouth again making him groan. One of his hands traveled up my spine to grab the back of my neck possessively. His heated eyes met mine briefly, his pupils were dilated making his eyes seem darker, hungrier. He made a needy sound at the back of his throat

And then his lips were on mine, moving with fervor and desperation. My hand traveled to the back of his head tugging at his short hair. His tongue traced the seam of my lips, seeking permission which I readily gave. He tilted his head to the side deepening the kiss further.

It was everything I wanted and more.

His hips gave a lazy thrust and I moaned.

My whole body felt like it was on fire.

In this moment nothing mattered.

Nothing but him.

His lips slowly withdrew from mine leaving me panting. He gave my lower lip a gentle tug with his teeth before training his focus on something behind me.

Someone.

"Posso aiutarla (Can I help you)?" Sebastian's tone was clipped.

"Scusa, non volevo disturbarti. (Sorry, I did not wish to iterrupt you.)" An unfamiliar male voice responded from behind me.

I started to move off Sebastian's lap but his gentle squeeze on my waist halted me. He turned me around so that I was facing the stranger but still sitting on his lap.

A middle-aged man sat on the sofa across from ours. His greying hair was slicked back and his beady eyes raked over me crudely.

I morphed my expression into one of annoyance as I eyed the stranger condescendingly. He seemed to be pleased by my response because he gave me a leery smirk.

"Mi permetta di presentarmi, mi chiamo Giovanni Russo. (Allow me to introduce myself my name is Giovanni Russo)." The man spoke casually. "I am the owner of this casino."

My heart gave a sudden leap but I forced my expression to remain nonchalant.

Giovanni Russo.

The target.

Sebastian's fingers started tracing soothing circles on my thighs and I leaned into him further.

"Sono Vincenzo Ricci e questa è Veronica, la mia bellissima moglie. (I am Vincenzo Ricci and this is Veronica, my beautiful wife)"

I looked around the place, keeping my expression bored. "I find your casino to be quite dull, why don't you consider redecorating." I gave him what I hoped was a confident smirk.

The man chuckled. "I will keep that in mind." His expression suddenly grew curious. "This is your first time here I suppose?"

"Sì." Sebastian or Vincenzo responded.

The man's leery smile grew. "Help yourselves to anything you want, don't worry about the payment I will take care of it personally."

I skimmed Sebastian's jaw with my nose, dragging my tongue leisurely along the warm skin of his neck. Sebastian's fingers stilled on my thighs for a brief minute before continuing their leisure strokes.

I knew that Giovanni's greedy eyes were watching my every move.

"Grazie, but we were just leaving." Sebastian answered his voice growing bored.

I saw a wave of panic flash across the man's face.

"What if I made you an offer?" He said quickly.

"What kind of offer?" Sebastian's expression remained uninterested.

"I will pay you any amount you want." Giovanni responded.

**

"What do you want in return?"

Giovanni smirked. "I want you to pleasure your wife in front of me  and then afterwards once you're done with her, let me have a little fun with her."

I was expecting him to say it, Sebastian had warned me before about his vulgar interests but I could still feel bile rising in my throat. It took everything in me to keep my expression blank.

"It will cost you a lot." Sebastian said calmly.

Giovanni's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "I'll pay you whatever you want."

"Are you seriously considering this?" I hissed at Sebastian.

Sebastian's cold eyes suddenly trained on me. "You will do as I say."

His voice was hard but I felt his hand squeeze my thigh once gently.

I knew what he was saying,

I'm sorry.

Trust me.

I forced myself to calm down.

"You need to remember that the person with you inside that casino isn't me. That is not who I am, that person is not someone I ever want to be. He is a façade, a mask."

"You have to do everything I say no matter what it is, you need to trust that whatever I tell you is for your own safety"

Sebastian's earlier words rang in my brain.

Sebastian won't let anything happen.

He would never hurt me or let anyone hurt me.

"I will accept your offer." Sebastian paused. "But on one condition."

Giovanni's greedy eyes looked at him expectantly.

"You will not touch her." Sebastian spoke evenly. "I do not like to share what is mine." He kissed my shoulder and his arm snaked around my waist possessively. "You will watch but your hands will not come near us. I will, however, let you tell me exactly what you want me to do to her."

Giovanni's eyes widened in glee.

"Credo che abbiamo un accordo, signor Ricci. (I believe we have a deal Mr. Ricci.)

~~

My whole body was trembling as Sebastian and I followed Giovanni Russo to what I assumed was his private suite.

"Nice coat." Sebastian commented as he eyed Giovanni's long navy-blue coat appreciatively, it had gold embroidery on the shoulders and sleeves.

"Thank you, it was a gift." Giovanni replied.

"It's not from here I assume?" Sebastian questioned, curiosity lacing his voice.

"No, it is made from Egyptian raw silk. It was gifted to me by one of my Russian business partners." The man boasted.

"Truly magnificent." Sebastian commented as he ran his finger over the delicate gold embroidery.

We walked in tense silence the next few minutes.

"We're here." Giovanni suddenly announced.

The first thing I noticed were what seemed to be four armed body-guards standing outside the double-doors.

Two of the men started coming towards us.

"I apologize in advance but this is standard procedure." Giovanni stated.

My breath hitched in panic but Sebastian's arm squeezed my waist reassuringly.

Each man started patting us down. I sighed in relief when the guard nodded towards me indicated that I was good the other did the same with Sebastian. Next, they waved metal detectors over our bodies to ensure that we weren't carrying any kind of weapon.

Once they had determined that we weren't a threat they stepped aside to let us pass.

I realized that now was the time to put my acting skills to the real test.

I let out a dramatic sigh as I grasped Sebastian/Vincenzo's arm and looked up at him my lips pursed into a pout.

"Honey, will these men be standing just outside the door this whole time? You know how shy I am. I can tolerate one but four men listening to everything from outside the door is a little too crude for me."

Sebastian's eyes were dancing with amusement as he looked at me. He knew exactly what I was trying to do.

"Nonsense, I won't have the lady feeling uncomfortable." Giovanni murmured silkily, his greedy eyes shining with excitement. "Guards you are dismissed, do not disturb me for the next two hours."

"But sir-"

One of the men started to argue.

"Leave!" Giovanni's loud voice bellowed through the empty hallway and the men slowly left one by one.

Giovanni unlocked the door and we entered the luxurious room. There was a wall-length window on the opposite side giving a magnificent view of the city. The ceiling was mirror and a king size bed sat in the middle of the room with a chandelier hanging right above it.

Giovanni took off his coat and placed it neatly on the sofa. He loosened his cuff-links.

"Are there any camera's in this room?" Sebastian questioned.

"No, these are my private quarters, there are no cameras and no one is allowed in here, so don't worry about interruptions. Please make yourselves comfortable." He spoke with his back to us.

"We will do that. But let's talk business first." Sebastian's voice was hard.

Giovanni turned to look at him. "I already told you I will give you any amount you want. What is there to talk about?"

"Oh, I'm not talking about our deal. I'm talking about the deal you plan on making with Sergei Ivanov." Sebastian spoke casually.

I could practically see the color draining from Giovanni's face.

My heart-rate spiked.

I had no idea what was going on.

"I have no idea what you are talking about." The desperate man hissed.

Sebastian tilted his head to the side, his icy gaze fixated on Giovanni. "Then let me refresh your memory." He leisurely strolled up to the man.

"A week from now, you will make a deal with a Russian mobster. You will give him your teenage daughter in exchange for his partnership. He will give you access to his containers so you could traffic your drugs abroad."

"Who the fuck are you?" Giovanni snapped. "Forget it, I don't care. What do you want, money? Drugs?" His gaze trained on me for a brief minute. "I can provide you with a woman, someone even better than your current piece."

My eyes narrowed into slits as my hands curled into fists, I was ready to punch him but Sebastian beat me to it.

He grabbed Giovanni by the neck and rammed him against the wall. The man's frantic hands clawed against Sebastian's arm but to no avail.

"Watch your mouth." He hissed.

"Angelica, I want you to reach into the right pocket of Giovanni's coat." Sebastian's voice called out snapping me into action.

He turned his attention back to the man he was holding against the wall. "I knew your men would check us before letting us enter your room so I placed a little gift in your coat earlier."

With shaking hands I did what Sebastian had said. I reached into the pocket until my hands closed around a sleek box. I took it out.

"Open it." Sebastian instructed.

I did. Inside was a syringe filled with a clear liquid.

"Before I kill you I will do you a small favor, I will answer the question running through your mind." Sebastian's voice was calm. "The reason I know all of this because your wife told me. She was the one who requested a hit on you. Your wife is paying my family a lot of money to kill you Giovanni." Sebastian chuckled, his grip tightened around the man's neck making him gasp for breath. "To tell you the truth, I don't usually carry out kill orders, they aren't something I enjoy doing. But I agreed to this one because I knew I wouldn't regret killing a scum like you." Sebastian shook his head slowly. "Selling your daughter to a mobster so you can sell drugs, that is just pathetic."

Sebastian's head tilted slightly in my direction.

"Now, Angelica." He murmured gently. "Uncap the syringe and hand it to me." He held out the hand that wasn't holding Giovanni towards me.

I uncapped the syringe and placed it in Sebastian's hand carefully making sure that the needle was safely aimed away from his skin.

Giovanni's eyes bulged in pure terror as the reality on the situation dawned upon him. He started to struggle but Sebastian just pushed him into the wall harder.

"This is Potassium Chloride. It will stop your heart within a minute, you will die instantly without much pain. It is a better death than you deserve."  Sebastian's voice was almost soothing as he placed the tip of the syringe at the man's jugular.

Giovanni's arms went slack the fight left his eyes as he accepted his fate. His lips curled into a cold smile as he leaned his face closer to Sebastian.

"Non sei migliore di me. Siamo uguali. (You are no better than me. We are the same.)" He hissed just as Sebastian thrust the needle into his neck and pressed the plunger.

I watched Giovanni's eyes glass over as his body started to spasm. His mouth started making gurgling sounds.

I squeezed my eyes shut pressing my hands to my ears. I sunk to the floor my whole body shuddering.

**

I had no idea how long it had been when I finally felt Sebastian's hands rubbing my arms.

"We need to leave." His voice sounded faraway, disoriented.

He pulled me to my feet, securing his arm around my waist. He guided me outside the room into the empty hall.

"Stay in character. Don't let them suspect anything." He whispered in my ear.

I can do this.

I can do this.

I am Veronica Ricci not Angelica Hale.

I forced my expression into one of boredom and arrogance.

I wiggled my fingers at the door-man as we finally exited the casino.

It wasn't until we had reached the car that I doubled over and threw up. Cold sweat broke over my body as I heaved.

I knew Sebastian was saying something but I couldn't hear him. I couldn't hear anything beyond the blood roaring in my ears.

I had watched Sebastian murder a man.

I had helped him murder a man.

In my heart I knew I would never be the same again.

~~

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