IN HIS ARMS

Even in her unconscious state, Adriana could hear the voices of the people who had abducted her saying they were at their destination.

Her heart almost stopped beating when one of the men pulled her out of the car, carrying her in his arms. She couldn't risk opening her eyes for the fear of what they were going to do to her, so she stayed meekly in his arms, tightening her eyes as the seconds ticked by.

Adriana couldn't understand why she was suddenly abducted by an unknown people. What were they going to do with her? Kill her? Hold her captive? Sell her?

Those were her fears until she felt the unknown man placing her on the cold floor.

"We've brought her with us, Don." Adriana heard as she struggled to open her eyes. Don? Like, a Mafia? A Mafia had abducted her?

"Leave her and take your leave," the familiar voice she heard snapped her eyes open instantly.

Her eyes went to the familiar figure by the window and the moment he turned, her eyes widened.

His eyes locked with hers and he smiled, that devilish smile of his.

"I told you I'll be back for you," were the words that came out of his lips.

Adriana's breathed hitched as her gaze lingered on him. Yet again, she found herself in front of the man she had loved the most on earth.

But this man in front of her looked dangerous, dressed in malice and washed in money and power. His eyes were no longer warm, they were dangerous, they held the fire of hell with them.

With the corner of her eyes, she saw the men leaving the room and she was all alone with him in the room.

"What am I doing here?" She finally found her voice. She saw him throw a stick into a plastic bag and she scrunched up her nose in disgust. The Riccardo she knew never smokes, he was always innocent. What was she even saying, this man here in front of her is a Mafia.

Her heart stammered inside her chest when he gripped her face gently. For a moment, she thought he was going to strangle her just like he had done the previous day, but he didn't.

"Here is your worst nightmare and don't ever think of going home because henceforth, you belong here" he said.

"You must be kidding me. Why the hell would I stay in this goddamn place? A place filled with gangsters who wouldn't hesitate to kill me at a slight chance they get?" Adriana fired. She threw his hand off her and got to her feet.

"And what the hell has gotten over you, Riccardo? A Mafia Don? This is not you for Pete's sake! You don't even know how to smoke! You don't…"

"Shut the fûck up Adriana or I'm gonna do that for you!" Riccardo's voice boomed with authority and impatience.

Adriana gulped down nothing when she saw him bring out a gun from his pocket, aiming it towards her.

"Don't act like you know me because you don't. The Riccardo here won't hesitate to fire this gun if you don't behave like you should,"

"Good." He brought the gun down when she had refused to utter a single word. Then, he walked closer to her, taking a good look at her facial features.

"Stay in here and don't you dare take a move," he ordered and left the room.

Tears flooded Adriana's eyes when she realized the implications of what he had said.

Who would manage her restaurant when she's gone? And her kids, what'll become of them?

The rattling of the door disrupted her thoughts. She saw a girl of her age walked up to her, the only difference about them was that the girl was dressed in a black, just like a gangster. Her hair was braided and she was putting on black boots.

"So, you're the new chic, huh?" The girl accessed Adriana's dressing before rolling her eyes.

"Who are you?" Adriana managed to ask.

"Keep shut and just follow me," the girl eyed her before leaving the room.

Adriana frowned greatly. Who does this girl think she is to talk to anyhow?

Nevertheless, she went after her. She was new here and like Riccardo had made it clear to her, her life was at stake and if not for anything, she needed to endure whatever comes her way for her kids.

As they walked to wherever the girl was going, Adriana used that moment to access the mansion.

She was expecting herself to be in an abandoned building or a scary place but she was shocked to find herself in a huge mansion.

Money. She could feel the power of money as they walked through the hallway. She could see different men with loaded guns of different types roaming about. Just how much has Riccardo changed over the years? - she thought.

"We're here," Adriana glanced at the strange girl who was staring at her irritatedly. But that was the least of her problems, she could die if she wanted to.

"Where's this place?" Adriana asked as she walked into the room.

"Your worst nightmare," the girl only replied before slamming the door shut behind Adriana.

Adriana instinctively spun around to find herself alone, the girl had gone.

Almost immediately, the lights switched on and a light gasp escaped her lips as she stared at the room.

She needed no one to tell her the room belonged to Riccardo as the walls were painted with black - his favorite color.

There was a huge chandelier on the ceiling in the middle of the room, the bed was so wide that it could contain five people.

She settled on the bed as she began fiddling with her fingers. What would her fate be like here? Would she ever be able to see her kids again?

She shuddered at the thought. No matter what, she was going to leave this damn place unscathed and be united with her sons again.

•••••••••

Ambra, the girl who had escorted Adriana to Riccardo's room, mumbled some words as she entered a particular room.

"Who the hell is that girl?" She asked the guys who were present in the room.

"His ex," a guy replied and all eyes went in his direction.

"What?!" They all exclaimed.

"Then, why did he bring her here? Most importantly to his room?" Ambra yelled.

"Do you know anything, Theodore?" Bullet asked, staring at Theodore who was staring at the cigar stick in his hand with keen interest.

"Was it The Don who broke up with her or what made them break up?" Bruno, another member in the clan asked.

"My brother's love life is not a thing you should gossip about, mind your words," Theodore warned. He stood up and left the room.

"That kiddo, he won't even say anything," Ambra scoffed. She sat on a couch and collected the chicken Bruno was about to eat.

"Hey, that's mine!" Bruno frowned. She only winked at him before eating the chicken.

"Tch! You're so annoying!" He frowned while Bullet only laughed.

•••••••

It was late in the night and Riccardo hadn't even returned. Adriana was all alone in the room with her eyes soaked with her tears.

Thankfully, her bag was with her when she was abducted. Minutes ago, she had called her boys to check up on them, making sure her emotions weren't evident in her voice.

Emelio had suggested they switched to video call but she blatantly refused. She couldn't let them see her eyes which were soaked with tears.

Tears of frustration and hunger pooled her in her eyes. She only had breakfast in the morning before rushing to open the restaurant. And then, attending to her customers wasn't easy so she never had the chance to eat anymore.

She was on the verge of breaking down in tears when the door opened. She almost choked on her spit when she saw Riccardo entering the room.

He never acknowledged her presence as he walked to the nightstand and began pulling off his wristwatch. After that, he disappeared into the bathroom.

Moments later, he returned with shorts and a light jacket around him. His chest was revealed and she could have a perfect view of his abs.

Adriana's brown eyes gazed up at him. His features had matured so much. His jaw lines were sharper than before, his red lips looking so tempting. She smiled as a memory of her biting his lips when they were together filled her mind.

Subconsciously, she stood up and began walking towards him. When she got to his room, she raised her hand and touched his cheek, sniffing her tears slowly.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, shaking her head slowly. She caressed his face as she continued speaking.

She had thought she'd have gotten over him since it's been long since they had separated, but no. How could she when he was right before her, looking so dashing and reminding her of their moments together.

"I shouldn't have done that to you, I… I'm sorry," she whispered as her tears fell. She could swear that his eyes softened as he stared into hers.

She moved into his arms and wrapped her arms around him, then she placed her head on his chest.

"I'm sorry, Rick," she whispered.

Slowly, she felt his arms around her and she completely relaxed against him, relishing the moments with him.