章 22: A SECURITY BREACH

ADRIANA'S POV

"We could have just done this at the training grounds back at the mansion" I grumbled even though I was secretly happy at the change of scenery.

This seemed to be a warehouse of some sort and there was no one around the surprisingly clean space.

Seemed like he came here a lot.

"Well I chose to bring you here today and introduce you to this special place in my life" He grinned and my stomach churned.

This place was far from special. I ignored his remark and walked over to a nearby table, looking at the vast collection of weapons.

I trailed my fingers over the array of weapons, my curiosity piqued. Knives with razor-sharp jagged blades, chisels, pliers, thumb screws, and even a garrote lay neatly organized.

"Quite the collection," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Vincenzo huffed, his eyes glinting. "Glad you appreciate it."

I picked up a nasty-looking scalpel, weighing it in my hand. "What's this for?"

Vincenzo's grin widened. "This is my playroom, Tesoro."

My eyes snapped to his, confusion replaced by horror. "Your...playroom?"

Suddenly, the implications clicked into place. I felt a wave of nausea wash over me.

"Oh. Fuck," I muttered, my hand flying to my mouth.

I quickly dropped the weapon to the table like it was something nasty which it was.

Too late. I turned and vomited on the pristine floor.

Vincenzo's expression transformed from indifference into disgust. "Dio mio, Adriana!"

I heaved again, mortified.

"Water," I gasped, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.

Vincenzo handed me a bottle, his eyes still repelled. "What's wrong with you?"

I took a swig, rinsing my mouth. "You're what's wrong with me!"

He raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

"This...room!" I gestured wildly. "What kind of person has a torture chamber?"

Vincenzo shrugged, nonchalant. "A person who needs one?"

I glared, still feeling queasy. "That's not funny."

He chuckled without mirth. "Sorry, Tesoro. I forgot you have a weak stomach."

I shot him a withering look. "This has nothing to do with that. I don't have a weak stomach but I also don't think I do well with a reminder of the sick monster you are."

Vincenzo's smile faltered, replaced by a hint of irritation. "Clean up your mess."

I hesitated before grabbing some nearby paper towels.

As I cleaned, Vincenzo leaned against the table, watching me with an unreadable expression.

"You know, for a mafia wife, you're surprisingly squeamish," he said.

I straightened, paper towels in hand. "And you're surprisingly...twisted."

Vincenzo's lips curled into a sly smile. "That's why they call me Il Diavolo."

I rolled my eyes. "The Devil? More like Il Pazzo – The Crazy One."

His smile disappeared and he shrugged. "C'mon, the training room is right behind that door" He gestured to a small red door.

I looked at it before I threw the paper towels into a trash can.

"Why do you even have your…playroom and a training center in the same building" I asked, my mouth still feeling bitter.

He pushed himself off the table he was leaning on and smirked. "I like to be full of surprises. You're chatty today, you're chatty these days, it's like you're learning to adjust" He noted, his tone now serious.

I stopped at that and bit down on my lip. He was right. I was becoming more at ease in the mansion. I was beginning to learn to stand up to him. Was it because no one had tried to hurt me?

"Oh well, whatever" I dodged the question and strolled towards the training room, opening the door and stepping inside while he followed me.

Vincenzo didn't even wait for me to get settled. He was already pacing around the mat, his eyes flicking between the heavy bag and the door as if this was just another day at the office. I, on the other hand, was trying to focus, to push the growing sense of dread in my chest away. There was no turning back now. I had agreed, and now I had to prove myself.

"Get on the mat," he said coldly, his voice an order, not a suggestion.

I swallowed, trying to steady my breath. It was just training. I'd never trained before, I'd never fought before. How hard could this be?

"Come on, Tesoro. Don't make me repeat myself," Vincenzo added, his eyes flicking to me with that familiar, calculated look. It made me want to prove him wrong.

I nodded sharply, my fists clenching at my sides, and stepped onto the mat.

Vincenzo stopped in front of me, folding his arms across his chest. "You're here to learn how to fight, not to look pretty. So leave your pretty little princess act at the door."

I scowled at him. "I'm not a princess."

He smirked, clearly amused by my defiance. "No. You're a target. And until you stop acting like a helpless little girl, you'll stay one." His voice dropped an octave, colder, sharper, and I could feel the sting in every word.

I bristled at the insult, but I wasn't here to argue.

"Show me what you've got, Adriana."

That was all the warning I got before Vincenzo was upon me. His movements were fast, almost too fast, and before I could even react, he shoved me back. My body slammed against the floor with a loud thud, the air knocked out of me. I gasped, but before I could recover, Vincenzo's foot was pressing against my chest, pinning me to the ground.

"You think you can handle this?" he said, his face hovering just inches from mine, his voice low and teasing. I could feel his breath against my skin. "You're weak, Adriana."

I pushed against his foot, but it was like trying to move a mountain so I just leaned my head back against the hard floor, gasping. "Get off me," I grunted.

He chuckled, removing his foot, but only to pull me back to my feet in one swift motion. His grip was unyielding, and I couldn't help but notice how easily he handled me like I was nothing more than a ragdoll in his hands.

"Again," he demanded.

I barely had time to steady myself before he lunged at me, fuck, he was fast. His fist came at me like a bullet, and instinctively, I ducked. But I wasn't fast enough. He grabbed my wrist mid-swing, yanked me into him, and in one fluid motion, I was on the ground again—this time, he straddled my hips, his body weight pinning me down.

"Is this what you want, Tesoro?" he whispered, his voice dark and full of challenge. His eyes glinted with something dangerous. "Is this the kind of fight you've been begging for?" He smirked seeing how I coughed at the sudden impact of my back against the floor again and the force of his body pressing me down.

I breathed heavily, feeling the heat rising in my chest. I hated this. I hated how easily he brought me down, and how effortlessly he controlled every move I made.

"Get off," I spat, my heart pounding in my ears. I shoved against his chest, but it was no use. His body felt like stone.

He chuckled again, a low, mocking sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "You're learning the hard way, Tesoro. This is how the world works. You're either strong enough to stand or weak enough to stay down."

He finally stood, his hand pulling me up with ease. The way he handled me—so effortlessly—was enough to make my anger burn hotter.

I knew I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of watching me quit. I wasn't going to show him weakness.

Vincenzo circled me, his eyes scanning me with that predatory gaze, sizing me up like a lion watching its prey.

"Get ready," he warned, before launching himself at me again.

I was faster this time, dodging his first punch. But then he was right back on me, his hands gripping my arms, slamming me into the mat again, harder this time.

I gasped for air, feeling the pain shoot through my spine. Not again. I tried to fight, to push him off, but it was like he anticipated every move before I even made it. His control over the fight was absolute.

"You're not fast enough, Adriana," he muttered, leaning over me. His breath was warm against my ear as he whispered, "This is what real power feels like."

My chest tightened. I hated the way he made me feel like I was nothing but a toy for his amusement like I didn't even have a choice.

"Is this what you wanted?" Vincenzo's voice was a low growl, his lips brushing against my cheek as he leaned in and whispered, "To prove you're strong enough to handle me?"

I glared up at him, my breath coming in ragged gasps, my body aching from the constant throws and takedowns.

"Son of a bitch," I managed to growl back, determined to show him I wasn't giving up. Not even if it killed me.

Vincenzo smirked down at me, the amusement flickering in his eyes again. "We'll see about that."

Tears pricked the corner of my eyes at how he always managed to win even though he didn't put much effort.

He noticed my tears and he scowled at me. "Stop with the stupid tears, Tesoro. You're fucking weak" he spat, a sudden note of anger in his voice.

With a sudden surge of strength, I pushed off the mat and lunged at him, feeling the adrenaline rush through my veins.

But just as quickly, Vincenzo was there, grabbing me, spinning me around, and pinning me to the ground once more. This time, though, his lips were dangerously close to mine, his eyes searching mine for a fight, his breath mingling with mine.

"You really think you can take me down, Tesoro?" he whispered, the words dripping with challenge.

I was about to answer, my mind racing, when suddenly—

The door of the warehouse slammed open with a deafening bang.

Vincenzo got off me and looked at the door with a calculated look, the guard we came with was at the door and I struggled to get up to my feet, my heart thudding in my chest.

"You better have a good reason for coming here when you weren't called," Vincenzo said, annoyance in his tone.

The guard quickly bowed, a hard look on his face. "Gamma haven was breached" He reported.

Something flashed in Vincenzo's eyes. Anger. Confusion.

"Shit" He muttered under his breath, jogging to the door and leaving me there.

"What about me?!" I wanted to go see, I wanted to know what happened.

Vincenzo looked at the guard and shoved him lightly. "Take her home. Call the Cavalieri to meet me at the bridge in 10" Vincenzo ordered, his tone hard as he jogged out of the building.

The guard looked at me in urgency. "We must go now, Mrs LaRosa" He urged, marching up to grab my hand, pulling me towards the exit.

"Gio, isn't it?" I panted as he pulled me along like I weighed nothing.

He let out a low huff but didn't answer as he finally dragged me out of the building and made me enter the car.

"What's the Gamma safe point?" I could feel blood rushing to my ears as he did a dangerous swerve, putting the car in drive.

"Nothing you need to worry about" He answered, his voice tight.

Well, I was worried. Whatever the Gamma Haven meant, it was serious.

And it had been breached.

This was definitely not good.

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