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Maria woke up with hot sweat trickling down her back. She sat up immediately, breathing heavily while trying to bring herself back to reality, escaping from the tormenting dream she had just endured.

Her chest rose and fell quickly as her head began to stop spinning. She placed her hand against her forehead, groaning in pain at the beating pressure near her temples. She kept her eyes closed as she tried to catch her breath. Maria still felt extremely tired; her body was sore from moving around all day and night before and felt heavy. She desperately needed a few more hours of sleep, but there was no way she could after a dream like that.

It was the night she found Luna on the floor all over again, but twisted, a weird and frightening dream of Jorge tightening the rope around her. Maria rubbed her eyes and wiped her sweaty forehead with her clammy hands, still shocked by the intensity of the dream she had just had.

She needed comfort; her hand reached out to feel Leonardo as she tiredly mumbled with her eyes half closed, "Mi amore," her head turned to see him just as her hand felt the bare mattress space next to her. Maria's eyebrows knotted together as she realised Leonardo wasn't in bed.

She woke up a little more, her eyes becoming more alert as she noticed she was alone. Frowning, her eyes landed on the clock not too far away. It was three in the morning—where was he?

Sure, Leonardo went to the gym early most days, but he never left that early. Maria listed all the possibilities of where he could be and decided to not jump to conclusions. Her legs swung over the side of the bed, feet slipping into her slippers as she stood, picking up her robe not too far away and slipping it over her bare body.

Then she stood, inhaling deeply at the shooting soreness between her legs. Leonardo might not have said much, but he made it clear in bed how he felt. She stepped over the clothes on the floor as she glanced at the bathroom that was clearly unoccupied. Then her search began downstairs: the kitchen, bathrooms, office, and lounge. Maria was even more confused on realising he wasn't home. Something must have come up; Leonardo couldn't just disappear for no reason.

She grabbed her phone once she was in the bedroom again, yawning as she pulled a strand of her hair behind her ear and went to call him. Immediately, her call was sent to voicemail. Maria sighed again; Leonardo hadn't left a message for her either. She didn't like the unknown.

Noticing a number of messages, she opened Luna's first. Luna had called Maria many times and sent an essay of concerns. She reassured her sister by texting back positively, grateful for her care. Although the fury was still strong within her, Maria didn't let her emotions show when replying; she let Luna know that everything was fine.

Maria decided to wait an hour to see if he'd come back after tossing her phone on the bed with the ringer on.

It reached four in the morning after Maria had spent the hour tidying up the bedroom, changing the sheets, organising the wardrobe, and picking up the clothes they had ripped off each other before bed.

She winced as the pain in her feet shot up her legs, sitting back down on the bed to relieve the pressure. She rang Marco, and even Vincenzo, but neither answered. With yet another sigh, Maria contemplated what to do. She could simply just wait; Leonardo had gone without a word before and been fine. But then she felt her anxiety begin to pour into her heart; Leonardo was a Don. The Don. He would always be in danger wherever he went. She repeatedly kept calling his different phones, but not a single one went through.

Maria had a backup plan for such events after what happened in Greece. She took out her phone again and hoped Leonardo had taken his car. The app on her phone would tell her where he'd been. Maria wouldn't exactly call the app snooping, but she saw it as a way of ensuring his safety, despite Leonardo not knowing. If she had installed something in his phone, it wouldn't take long before he found out and reassured her that he'd always be safe. She couldn't put her trust in that and resolved to find out his location through his car. At least then, he'd probably figure it out a little later.

He was in the middle of nowhere; Maria's eyes squinted slightly as she tried to figure out what kind of massive building Leonardo was in for the last few hours, far away from the inner city. It seemed like an abandoned warehouse when she swapped to a 3D image. She frowned again, confused as to why he was there—what if he was held captive? Maria tried to shake off all unnecessary thoughts whirling around in her mind. It would never be Leonardo, and that was a fact.

She had a feeling, an unstoppable feeling that she just had to find him. Maria bit her bottom lip as she debated within herself whether or not to search for Leonardo. For some strange reason, she needed to. She didn't know why, but her gut was sending her to follow him.

So after she'd showered and changed into a short black dress that clutched onto her curves and stopped at her mid-thigh. She pulled on some black, heeled boots that went up to her knee and covered herself with a leather jacket, flinging her curly hair over her shoulders and grabbing her purse, making her way downstairs.

Her earring had caught into her hair; she adjusted the pearl as she left the house. Typing in Leonardo's location, Maria was making her way to him and underestimated how long it would take to reach him. The journey was long and unpleasant, with the dark roads narrow and curved. She felt a growing bad feeling within her. Something wasn't right; she could just sense it.

Her hands clutched the steering wheel as she drove, her anxiety eating at her minute by minute as she tried to figure out what her gut was trying to tell her. Her face was crossed with concern the whole way; her eyebrows hadn't relaxed for a second. She could only feel better by seeing Leonardo, safe and well.

The car rolled into a parking lot filled with black, large vehicles in front of the wide building that looked like an unfinished site. It was spooky just looking around. The area dark with hardly any lighting, her car lights brightly lit the way for her to park in a corner. She climbed out of the car and took a good look around for a few seconds, noticing the amount of people outside.

As she walked, her hips swung, and she caught the attention of what looked like guards, tall men and unfriendly-looking women approaching her, their faces cold and unwelcoming. Maria stuck out like a sore thumb, a model-like woman, all dressed up and gorgeous, walking in a place that screamed hostility and fear.

Maria slowed down her pace, realising she was not welcome there. She didn't let their intimidating gazes faze her. Moving her hand over her shoulders, she took a good look at one man, a taller and muscular guy coming closer; he looked like he could knock her out with one simple punch.

His lips parted, as though he was about to interrogate her as he stood in front of her, blocking her way. But the moment his eyes scanned her face, they widened in shock as he took a step backwards, his head automatically bowing down as he quickly shouted out, "Abbassate le armi! {Lower the weapons}." Immediately all weapons were hidden, their heads lowered and eyes attached to the ground.

"Donna, I apologise that I didn't recognise you. We weren't expecting you," he gravely stressed, his eyes stuck on the floor and his back straight, a soldierly way of standing. Maria swallowed, glancing around at their rigid way of standing as though she was their commander. She wasn't used to an immense amount of respect shown by their body language.

Slightly uncomfortable, she rubbed the back of her neck before getting to the point, "Le—the Don. He's in there?" The man briefly looked up at her but was unable to handle her soul-piercing gaze, directing his eyes back onto the ground once more. "S—Si..." He stammered back. Maria shortly nodded and went to move around him until he spoke once more, "Ah—actually—well, he's..." For such a big guy he seemed so crumble so easily before her.

Maria tilted her head to the side and looked at him with her eyebrows narrowed, wondering why he wouldn't move out of her way. "He's what?" She questioned, folding her arms to warm herself. It was starting to get a little too cold outside.

"I'm...I'm not too sure this is somewhere the Don would like you to see..." The man slowly explained, his eyes eventually reaching hers. Maria's lips separated in surprise, her eyebrows raising. She thought for a moment before brushing off his thoughts and nonchalantly responding, "Don't worry about it." She went again to move, but he still didn't budge. That was when a hard glare was shot at him as her patience began to thin.

She sighed and reassured him, "If anyone comes up, it'll come to me, okay? I won't ask again for you to move." He moved, and she simply smiled, "Ciao."

Maria walked straight past them, entering the warehouse where people seemed to recognise her a lot quicker, their heads bowing in respect with no one daring to question her presence.

Maria didn't know where she was going at all, simply following wherever there seemed to be more guards. The place was full of them; she felt that there must be a great reason why so many people were protecting one place.

She tried to settle her nerves inside as she moved, hopeful to see Leonardo safe and sound. As Maria got closer to him, certain sounds she hadn't been hearing before were becoming clearer and clearer.

The gravity of the situation became evident when she deciphered what she was hearing.

The sound of torture.

Maria almost halted in her tracks, her confident pace slowing as she realised. Someone was being punched. Repeatedly. The sound of a fist slamming into the flesh of another human being was loud and clear; it echoed through the hallway and down the corridor. Maria had seen and heard such things before; living in such a life with her parents, she was exposed to the darker sides of the world, the evil and brutal things no child should see at all. She had become desensitised to such things. She cautiously made her way down towards the door, ignoring the people around her.

Then Maria finally heard the sound of Leonardo's voice as the beatings ceased. It initially didn't sound like him at all. "Non ricordo di averti detto di smetterla. {I don't remember telling you to stop}." Her breath hitched, a shiver running down her spine. A simple sentence from him had stunned her; he sounded so strong and intimidating. His voice was low and dominating. He didn't have to say much to get his point across.

"Colpiscilo finché il suo cervello non si rovescia sul pavimento. Ti dirò io quando fermarti. Non farti dire due volte. {Punch him until his brains spill out all over the floor. I'll tell you when to stop. Don't make me tell you twice.}." She almost shuddered at his dark tone. He spoke slowly and huskily, powerful and daunting with each word that he'd say. Her hand clutched onto the bottom of her jacket, tightening at the sound of him. Leonardo never spoke to Maria in that dark voice. She hoped that he never would.

It was pretty out of character for Leonardo. He never tortured his victims. Maria knew that it was different this time. Something wasn't right. She realised that she really didn't need to be there. Leonardo never wanted her involved, at least not yet. Maria was beginning to consider leaving, debating on turning around until she heard another familiar voice.

"You think...you think doing this here...to resolve your pathetic jealousy will do...anything, you petty Don?" They laughed, wheezing.

Maria's eyes widened, a small gasp leaving her. It was Jorge. Jorge was in the room with Leonardo.

She should've taken a moment to think first, but her actions beat her mind to it. Maria pushed the creaky door open and entered the large room.

Her eyes landed on Jorge first in slight horror. There he was, sitting in the middle of the place on some translucent material with his blood splattered across it. He looked rough; his eyes were swollen and red like large apples, his lips were busted, and his clothes were ragged, his loose shirt barely on him, his muscular torso exposed.

Maria was initially speechless; she couldn't believe that Jorge was right there being beaten up right before her. They had resumed their previous punches. Her heart was racing as she struggled to hide her shock. The two people she had least expected to meet were under such circumstances.

"Maria."

Her head snapped towards Leonardo's direction. She slowly exhaled as her eyes studied his face, a cold and unfamiliar look of enmity. She felt small in such a big room, surrounded by men with weapons and bitter looks on their faces.

He stood from the large wooden chair that looked built for a king; his tall and authoritative presence could instantly make her submit to him. His eyes were unfamiliar and almost chilling to gaze into. Her eyes struggled to keep locked with his. She tried to calm her throbbing chest.

"What are you doing here?" Leonardo questioned, his eyes ever so slightly expanded, moderately staggered at the sight of her. He never expected Maria to come there. She couldn't say anything at first, too stunned to even speak. Her mouth went dry, and her face was beginning to grow hotter. Leonardo looked intimidating as a Don. The feeling of being small in comparison to him was completely different to how intimate the two of them were a couple of hours before.

"How did you know to come here?" He asked another sharp question, confused as to how she knew he was there.

"Your car," Maria finally spoke, blinking rapidly. "I followed your last location." She hated how meek she sounded and forced herself to speak stronger, "You didn't answer my calls." Her head lifted, staring straight on at him.

"You should be sleeping," Leonardo pointlessly said, still speaking to her in a harsh tone. Her eyebrows narrowed at him. "So should you," she shot back, matching his intimidating tone. He had left her again in bed alone.

Her eyes glanced back at Jorge, barely conscious and being beaten behind her. She shakily exhaled once more, treading carefully as she got to the point, "What are you doing here? Why is he here, Leonardo?"

His eyes flickered to Jorge then back at her. "That's nothing for you to worry about, Maria. Head back home." Her eyebrows furrowed at his harshness. She took a step closer to Leonardo. "I can't. Explain to me why he's here."

Leonardo scoffed, and she glared at him, not liking his response. She turned and commanded Jorge's torturer, "Stop. Stop hitting him." Her words were instantly adhered to; she didn't even need to shout. There was respect for Leonardo in the warehouse and for Maria. The torturer backed away, letting Jorge's body fall limp to the ground as he heaved, writhing around on the floor. She swallowed, facing Leonardo again, who was nowhere near happy.

"Did you come here just to protect him?" His sudden questioning made her stare at Leonardo in complete disbelief. She questioned why he was acting like that; she had no interest in Jorge. But she also couldn't believe she was defending Jorge.

"Watch your tone when you're talking to me," Maria retorted, an annoyed tone lacing through her words. "He's the male lead, Leonardo. If you have a problem, come to me. In fact, this isn't the place for us to speak. Let him go, and we can talk more—"

"You shouldn't be here," Leonardo gritted out, his jaw tight and his words rigid. She rolled her eyes. "You can do whatever the hell you want with him after the show. Right now—"

Leonardo scoffed again, and that was the last time she was going to take his attitude. He wasn't jealous; he wasn't petty. He was more mad that she was even there.

The sound of Jorge even managing to laugh infuriated her. She whipped her head around, and her darkest death stare was on him. She'd leave him to die there if it wasn't for the performance. "You idiot. If you want to live, I suggest shutting your stupid mouth up," she hissed in disbelief that she was even in such a situation.

"Maria, ti ho sentito. Vai a casa e basta. {Maria, I heard you. Just go home.} " Leonardo more gently said. She turned back to look at him; that was his way of acknowledging her and doing as he was told. She was glad he fixed his tone.

"Do you love her, big Don? We had quite the history together." Maria glared hard at Jorge, who still had the courage to talk.

"She was a good little toy."

Leonardo had enough and was ready to go and finish him himself. Maria moved right in front of Leonardo, blocking his path. She took his hand in hers as she quickly said, "Ignore him, Leo! He's going to say everything he can to provoke a reaction out of you. I already told you everything you needed to know, so ignore his desperate attempts for attention." Maria had become immune to Jorge's insults. Leonardo's eyes came back down, gazing into Maria's as he listened to her, his hand gently tightening the hold they shared.

Jorge laughed again, and Maria closed her eyes in fury, trying to keep herself in a collected manner.

"Oh, but did she tell you everything? How about that night after the bar, kitten? You were so fucking drunk you were just saying anything."

Maria immediately tensed up; her whole body became stiff as she remembered perfectly what he was trying to insinuate. He desired to instill fear in her. She turned and looked at Jorge, a deep warning and dark gaze on him, not wavering. "Jorge, shut the hell up." He chuckled, coughing roughly as the blood splattered out of his mouth; a menacing and devilish grin hung on his bloodied face.

"'Leo...I'm sorry, I'm sorry I can't tell you...'"

He was mocking her, evilly laughing as he recounted that night she had let everything slip to the wrong person. "Jorge—"

"'I'm sorry that I lied to you!'"

Maria's secret was minutes away from being exposed. A sense of urgency ran through her to preserve whatever she could have left of her secret. Leonardo would ask questions - he was already suspicious and there was no way that she could leave there without explaining something to him. She took a step closer to Jorge, struggling to maintain her peace. "Stop. Stop right there," Maria cautioned, her heart pounding harder and harder in her chest as she felt the cracks begin to begin through the wall in which she had built and protected a secret for years and years of her life. "I mean it, Jorge—"

"About Sisi. . ."

Her eyes were wide, shaking as she uttered,
"You—" That was it. There was no going back from there.

Jorge, like the demon he was, looked darkly at Leonardo, who was staring down at him in complete confusion and disgust.

"Did you know?" Jorge provoked menacingly. "How much she knows about your dear little Sisi?"

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~ Author's Note ~

Dun, Dun, DUN!

Maria's secret has finally broken itself free and it's regarding to one of the most important aspects of Leonardo's life!

Keep reading to watch how this secret unravels a series of events that changes the course the story from here onwards!

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