Adele was standing at her window with crossed arms over her chest. She was looking outside into the distance thinking back to the events of this morning. She felt devastated about how her beautiful moments with Francesco had to come to such unexpected and abrupt end. She was torn to pieces at finding out that her brother was a traitor to Francesco's organisation. She had little understanding of Francesco's business but even she understood the seriousness of situation. She knew her brother had crossed a bridge of no return.

Adele felt tears coming to her eyes immediately. She knew it was going to be much worse than she could imagine. Francesco had promised not to kill her brother but he hadn't ruled out making him suffer like any other traitor. Angelo was going to learn the hard way to be loyal to Francesco and there was nothing she could do to save him from the pain that Angelo had brought on himself. Even though she knew Angelo deserved to pay for betraying Francesco, she didn't understand why he had to be tortured. Why couldn't he have to pay for his crimes in other ways. She cringed at the thought of possibility of Angelo being tied up in the cellar and beaten down to a bloody pulp like how Michael had been.

Adele jumped as a key turned in the locks she wiped off her tears worrying Francesco could see her cry and all hell was going to break loose. Before Francesco had left to get her some lunch, he had specifically told her that he didn't want to see her crying any more now that he had spared her brother. She saw the bathroom door and decided to hide for a while so he didn't get any more mad for seeing her tearful. She ran to the bathroom and locked the door behind her. Then she heard his voice "Sweetheart. What was the rush to the bathroom? Are you alright?"

Adele spoke quickly "I am fine. I felt sick that is all. I just need to freshen up a little." She then walked to the sink and washed her face with cold water trying not to show that she had just been sobbing. Not that she was successful.

Francesco shouted as he turned the door knob of the locked bathroom "Open the door sweetheart. I need to see if you are alright. Open the door or I will break it. I think you didn't have much breakfast. that's why you feel sick. I brought you some spaghetti with meat balls and grated cheese. Open up now."

Adele sighed and shouted back "Wait, I am not descent. Let me dress. I am coming out. Just a minute." She was wetting her face trying to make her puffy eyes and tearful state better hoping Francesco wasn't going to get angry.

Francesco knocked "I give you to the count of three. If you don't open the door, I will break it sweetheart."

Adele quickly walked to the door and opened the lock "Don't. Wait."

To say Francesco was furious was an understatement. He grabbed Adele's hand and pulled her to his chest embracing her "Why? Why do you waste your tears on him? He is not worth it? I told you I wont kill him. Isn't that enough? Maybe it doesn't matter if he lives or dies. Either way you are going to cry. What was the point of sparing him then?" He spat the words out with gritted teeth.

Adele was alarmed. She reached her arms around his waist speaking in a panic "No. I am just feeling sick. Its not that. Please don't change your mind.... I am happy now." She then gave him a forced smile.

Francesco sighed in frustration and pulled away "Fine, I believe you..... I want you now to have some food sweetheart. I want to see you eat something before I go to my lengthy meeting." He then pointed to the tray on the dining table in the room."

Adele nodded and walked to the table as Francesco let her go. Francesco followed her and pulled a seat out for her "Sit down. I hope you like meatballs."

Adele sat down and spoke "I love it."

Francesco smiled and sat down opposite Adele and watched her eat.

Adele looked up at Francesco "Aren't you eating yours?"

Francesco nodded "I will. But I like watching you eat. It makes me satisfied that I am taking care of you when you are not." He then kept staring at Adele and once she had finished half her plate, he started eating."

Adele looked up at Francesco " Aren't we going to the mansion soon? I though we will be eating lunch when we get back."

Francesco was glad that his sweetheart was having normal conversation with him. He wasn't going to put up with it if Angelo's topic overshadowed their relationship. Francesco was going to spare him. Something he hadn't done for any other traitor before.

Francesco looked at his sweetheart and spoke " We might go back tomorrow depending on when I finish off with my business of eliminating the new threats. You don't need to know the details sweetheart. You may not like what's going to be involved.. " Of course he didn't want to tell Adele they couldn't go back because there was possibility of getting hit on the way and Angelo revealing secrets to Ambrogio could make them easy targets at some point. He wasn't going to tell her that they were staying at the hotel today because he was going to ambush Ambrogio's ship and capture Angelo. He wasn't going to tell Adele that there was a slim chance that Angelo was going to die in cross fire when he ambushed the ship. Angelo was with the enemy after all.

Francesco also needed to identify Ambrogio's accomplices by capturing that ship which could be achieved by interrogating all the crew including Angelo in some gruesome ways on the spot that Adele also didn't need to know about.

Adele spoke carefully " So ...... Are Anna and Georgina staying over too?" She wasn't sure why she was asking about them. Maybe it was because she was hoping to ask for some advice or she just wanted some people to talk to about her situation.

Francesco spoke " Yes they are actually. But if you think about seeing them, forget it. You can't see anyone until the new threats are eliminated. You will be in this room and I am the only one allowed to come in here just as a safety measure. Do you understand sweetheart?"

Adele nodded sadly and carried on eating. She felt guilt for everything that had happened. The threat Francesco was referring to was from the side, Angelo had run off to.

A knock sounded on the door to Adele's surprise. She didn't know who could drop by their room. Francesco had just said he was only allowed to come in.

Francesco rolled his eyes " This must be Costanzo. He always picks the perfect time. Doesn't he? I asked him to inspect all the rooms for suspicious activity. Sweetheart, do you mind if he comes in now and disturbs your lunch?"

Adele shook her head vigorously " Not at all...."

Francesco shouted " Come in Costanzo."

Costanzo came in and closed the door behind him. He didn't glance at Adele and only looked at Francesco " Sorry to disturb you. My orders are to spot suspicious occurrences and irregularities. I would take my leave as soon as I fulfil the instructions I have been given."

Francesco spoke harshly " Go ahead. I guess that qualification alongside your law degree about strategies in spying and art of espionage was of some use. You are not a total waste of a Rosario's talent that's only good for admin and doing paper work then. Make yourself useful and do a descent job here while I quickly go to give Antonio some new instructions." He then walked out of the room without another word and closed the door soundly behind him.

As he left, Adele turned to Costanzo " Are you ok Costanzo. You don't need to be formal." Something was bothering Costanzo. Adele could tell.

Without looking At Adele, Costanzo looked at around the room "Adele. I am on duty." He then started walking around, inspecting cupboards, and anything he could see as he spoke in a formally.

Adele was confused why Costanzo wasn't looking at her and acting so cold. She stood up and walked to him and spoke " Costanzo.... What is going on? Why don't you look at me? Since when are you so formal? Talk to me."

Costanzo sighed deeply and turned to Adele " I can't Adele. I have to do my job. We are in danger. Our enemy has an insider with him that knows almost enough information to attack us any minute. We are lucky that we have a well guarded hostage. I am sure Francesco has told you about Angelo's stunt. My job is sensitive. I need to focus. I am not just an admin. As Francesco said, I am a fully trained expert in techniques of spying and a good strategist. I took a course when I was studying law. The lives of many people depends on me. If the enemy has planted anything here, I must spot it without distraction. So please don't talk to me for a few minutes." He then continued looking around.

Adele was not happy with Costanzo's business tone and unfriendly approach. It was unusual. But she remained silent. She knew he had other things on his mind as well as doing his job. It just didn't add up how he sounded so detached.

After Costanzo finished inspecting the room, he walked to Adele and looked into her eyes directly " All is fine here. There shouldn't be a problem. But don't open the windows please. Keep them locked as they are, since they can only be opened from the inside. The glass is also bullet proof but if you open the windows someone might get in or shoot you successfully. You are perfectly safe as long as you stay in this room. Sorry to disturb you."

As Costanzo was about to side step her, Adele blocked her path and spoke " Wait. Please. What is wrong? Why do you talk to me so formally?"

Costanzo sighed deeply and ran his hands in his hair " I am in a bad place right now Adele. Things have gone wrong so badly. It's better if you don't know.... I must go or I may endanger someone's life if I don't do my job properly."

Adele spoke quickly " Please tell me what is really the problem. You don't seem like yourself. You are too formal."

Costanzo sighed " I don't know if Francesco has told you but we are at war. We are at war with Ambrogio Voltolini, the guy I told you about who is after you."

Adele gasped in shock " What?"

Costanzo nodded sadly "Yes. Your brother is that reckless. Your brother has joined Ambrogio and is sharing secrets with him. This is dangerous. No one has ever dared betray Francesco until today by going to the enemy. No one. It's the first time that this has happened. Francesco's men have the fear of god put into them. They may accidentally commit acts that shows weak performance but they have never betrayed him. The only time Francesco has had to give betrayal verdicts was when he was taking over from my father. Those men who betrayed him were my father's men who didn't want to be ruled by Francesco and they ran away. That was all. They didn't run to another mob boss. But your brother has run to the enemy. He is a traitor that is selling Francesco's secrets. Now I am sorry if I am not in cheerful mood but we are on high alert. There is plenty of danger surrounding the Rosarios. We are lucky we have a hostage. We have Amaranta who is Ambrogio's sister. But it may not stop Ambrogio from attacking us by any means. Ambrogio is taking his time getting what he can out of Angelo then he may offer him in exchange for his sister. But we want to avoid that. That would get messy. When we exchange hostages, that would mean handing our hostage to a neutral party. But we know for a fact Voltolini is working with some mobs in this country. That was disclosed by Amaranta's bodyguards. But they didn't know names of which families are involved. Once we ambush Ambrogio's base which is a ship in an O'Neil territory port, we will find out for sure. So you see the situation we have. Even if we watch out for Ambrogio's men, that won't be enough to keep us safe. He has accomplices. Now I think I have to leave you."

Adele was frozen in shock " No, this can't be true. It can't be. Why would Angelo do this? Why would he betray Francesco and join a man who wants to capture me?" She then sat down on the floor in shock covering her mouth with hand, shaking her head."

Costanzo knelt down on the floor in front of Adele. He looked at her with pity as he spoke " Calm down. Don't worry. It's not your fight. It's Francesco's. He will take care of you at the cost of ripping his soul apart even further...."

Adele removed her hand from her mouth and spoke " What do you mean?...."

Costanzo spoke in a pained voice " He is sparing your brother but to retaliate for his merciful act, he is changing his rules. He is becoming stricter and you may think that is not even possible. Before he brought you lunch he had a quick meeting with me, Antonio, his heads of security, his top lawyers and economists as well as anyone who is at the top of the departments within his organisation. He set out new rules that are unbelievably harsh and brutal...... But that's not relevant never mind. What's done is done. Angelo has committed a crime and many people have to pay for it. Alot will change from now on."

Adele couldn't believe it. She shook her head as tears were running down her face " What has Angelo done? ....... Why? ........ I am sorry ..... I don't know how Angelo could do this ...."

Costanzo whispered " That is not all. Not only Francesco is changing how he deals with business and is making his rules harsher, he is changing his approach at personal level too.......... Anna got hurt today. She tried to reason with Francesco when she was informed of Angelo's stunt but Francesco refused to listen to her pleas. She offered Francesco her shares in an oil company and a film making studio amongst many things to buy Angelo's freedom. But that made Francesco angry. You may not believe it but Francesco has never raised his hand on Anna but today he did. He slapped her hard and she is lucky that Antonio and I were there to save her with our words....... Francesco is going to be much harder on everyone from now on. Just be careful around him. Don't make him angry please for the sake of yourself and of the others. Now I must go. There are some rooms I need to inspect before the meeting with other heads of families of our allies. Don't worry too much. What's done is done. Angelo ruined every chance of change happening for the better. Now Francesco's plunge into darkness is only going to get worse. See you later." He then left Adele to think over his words.

Costanzo knew he was being harsh to Adele but he couldn't lie to her. She had to know fully about the crime her brother had committed affecting everyone. She needed to grasp the seriousness of the situation in order to be able to accept the harsh punishments her brother was going to suffer. It was hard for Costanzo to walk away from Adele. He wanted to comfort her but he had other concerns on his mind.

Costanzo inspected the remainder of places he was yet to inspect. Then as he returned to his room to get ready for the meeting with heads of families, he saw one of the heads of security, Pablo at the door bowing to him. He spoke formally " Sir, you are needed in Miss Voltolinis room. I was instructed to inform you that you must make your way there after your inspection duties."

Costanzo sighed " Thank you. I go now." He then walked past his room down the corridor to Amaranta's well guarded room. He entered the room and to his surprise saw Francesco towering over a crying form of Amaranta shouting " You lie. I have you one last chance to come clean to Antonio today. I know you must be aware of much more than you let on. I am not as nice as Antonio. Speak."

Costanzo glanced at Antonio's figure who was standing in the far corner watching the scene with an emotionless face. But he knew Antonio was dying to save Amaranta. She was his ex girl friend. But .... somehow thinking about Amaranta's short romance with Antonio from years ago, bothered him. For some reason he didn't like to imagine her with another man. But he looked at her as his best friend. Why did it bother him that she used to date Antonio briefly."

Francesco's voice brought him our of his thoughts " Costanzo come over here and hold her in place. Move over here. She is your woman. Unless you would like like Antonio to hold her in place then just stand there and day dream about her."

Francesco then roughly pulled Amaranta's hand and made her get up from her seating position on the bed.

Costanzo wanted to drop dead at that point. Francesco seemed to be intending to torture Amaranta. He was in shock. But she was a hostage? He wasn't meant to hurt her. Costanzo knew there was nothing he could do. His brother did worse if anyone disputed him. He decided to keep his mouth closed for now as he slowly walked to Amaranta and held her arms in place next to her shoulders."

Francesco growled " Now Amaranta. I am going to ask you one last time to give me names of people who are your brothers American contacts or accomplices. I know some people must be helping him. Your bodyguards admitted it but they said names of allies were too classified and only higher ranked members of your brothers organisation knew about the names . Now, give me the names. I give you sixty seconds and then I will start snapping your fingers one by one."

Amaranta was struggling against Costanzo's strong arms gripping her wrists " I don't know anything."

Francesco spoke " 50 seconds left."

Amaranta shouted " I don't know any names."

Francesco gave Amaranta a wicked smile " 40 seconds." He then looked at Costanzo's stone cold face. But he could see pain in his eyes. He mocked him " What's the matter Costanzo? You are going soft. Are you?"

Costanzo swallowed hard as he was gripping a Amaranta's wrists hard. Costanzo tried to keep it together as he spoke " Sorry for not answering instantly. My mind was elsewhere. I am not turning soft. I assure you."

Costanzo had to act like the perfect employee but what was he going to do if he started snapping Amaranta's fingers? He knew he couldn't stand by and watch? But why was that? He had no idea. He had watched Francesco torture many people in the past. But in this case he felt sorry enough for Francesco's victim to want to save her.