A knock on the door got the attention of those in the dining hall. Francesco sighed "Come in."

One of Francesco's guards came inside looking down and spoke "Boss. You have a phone call."

Francesco looked at Adele and spoke "I have to take my calls. I would be back in a few minutes." He then got up from the table and left the room.

As he closed the door behind him, Antonio looked up at Costanzo "Do you have something to tell me?"

Costanzo shrugged "I don't know what you mean."

Antonio put down his knife and fork and leaned back. "I am no stranger. I could see how troubled you looked when Francesco asked you about finding yourself a girl. You can tell me about anything that's bothering you. I won't ever tell Francesco if you tell me anything personal or in confidence. I swear."

Costanzo spoke "Excuse me. I don't look troubled. Just drop it." He then turned to Adele "Could you please pass on the salt Adele." Adele smiled and complied but even she knew something was wrong. She was looking at Costanzo with concern.

Antonio spoke "Please tell me you are over that girl who's father works for the Senate ...... Its her isn't it. You still love her. That's why you don't date women any more."

Costanzo looked away "Don't go there Antonio."

Antonio spoke "Francesco gave you an order. You can't ignore it."

Costanzo sighed "Francesco told me I am not allowed to contact her anymore but I am allowed to think about her. Aren't I"

Antonio spoke "No. You aren't actually. Francesco told you, not to go near her but if he finds out what her memory is really doing to you, then he may commit to extremes. And I mean more extreme actions in addition to what he has done already."

Costanzo's eyes widened "What kind of actions?"

Antonio spoke "As if you don't know. She didn't meet that British business man she is dating now by accident and you know it. He is one of Francesco's clients in shipping. I was there when he cornered the guy into agreeing to befriend the girl by going to the charity events she attends for a while. He was supposed to convince her to go out with him for a while to keep you away from her right after you broke up with her. The deal was for the guy to date the girl and then break it off after a few months so it could help you move on maybe during that time but it seems like the guy fell in love with the girl. He cant get enough of her and they are to be engaged next month."

Adele who was silent till now gasped and spoke in disbelief "Francesco didn't do that. Please tell me."

Costanzo was looking like death now "You mean ..... he set them up...."

Antonio laughed nervously "You mean you didn't know anything about this. Nothing at all? How is that possible? Francesco didn't tell me this was top secret or ...... did he?" He sighed in frustration "Damn it. I am so dead if he finds out I revealed this to you. I totally had forgotten, you didn't know anything about this." He spoke seriously "But lets face it. That girl is moving on with her fiancé next month to London across the Atlantic ocean and then their wedding follows shortly after that. Francesco is also attending and going to make you attend too. But he won't tell you until the day before their wedding I suppose. I think you weren't supposed to know this either. But I am already done for. I want to warn you that your brother can make her life very difficult if he feels like it. So if you care for that girl you have to move on and start dating or at least start pretending that you are moving on. While we are here at this mansion, I will take you out to the clubs and bars I go to. You may meet some lovely girls."

Costanzo spoke "Why? .... Why is Francesco so dead set on ruining my life?" He then looked at Antonio hopefully "Help me."

Antonio shook his head vigorously "Not a chance. Find yourself a girl and move on. I am already in deep trouble as it is. Your brother would kill me if he finds out I let it slip he had anything to do with your ex meeting his man. Don't drag me into this mess. This is between you and your brother."

Adele whispered "I will help you Costanzo. I will try in any way I can. Just tell me what to do."

Antonio was looking at Adele with his mouth open "Haven't you done enough? Look at his broken arm. Look at his bruises. You will make things worse if you do anything."

Costanzo spoke "Antonio. Don't be rude to Adele. She did what she had to do to save her brother. Its not her fault my brother doesn't understand what love and compassion means and what she is going through." He then turned to Adele "Thank you for offering to help Adele. But I think I should try to solve this with my brother by myself. I will try to change his mind. There is one month left until Elize gets engaged so there is time."

Antonio spoke "Actually their engagement ceremony is in 28 days to be exact. I know the date since one of my catering businesses is involved in providing the food and wine for that night."

Just as Costanzo was about to respond, the door opened and Francesco startled the three of them at the dining table with his soundly entrance. But as they saw his cheerful face, they relaxed. He was in a good mood.

Francesco took his seat and poured himself a glass and spoke cheerfully "Guess what news I just heard over the phone? The Canavaro mob family just lost their leader in an assassination. The old man's son Georgio, was on the phone with me asking for a deal to use our protection. So we offer them protection until he sorts out his enemies who killed his father and many of his other family members. They work under us and take orders from our family from now on. They now have to forfeit a quarter of their profits from their businesses to us every year too because of this protection. He had little choice but ask for help. He was desperate to keep his remaining family safe. As you know Canavaros are all wiped out by various assassinations except for Gerogio and his sister Georgina. You remember Georgina don't you Antonio from your college days. The only woman who has ever said no to you."

Antonio choked on his wine and spoke "Yes I do remember her."

Francesco smirked "I am sure you remember her too Costanzo. Ironically you were the only man who ever said no to her. Remind me again Costanzo why you said no to her?"

Costanzo sighed "I wasnt attracted to her. She wasnt very nice. Any one who didn't worship the ground she walked on suffered ill fates. She ordered many people around the campus to be abducted and tortured them personally just because they didn't treat her like a queen."

Antonio spoke "May I ask when the deal is finalised?"

Francesco spoke "In the next few days Georgio would drop by to show me his respect and make arrangements for our deal."

The rest of the dinner went on silently and when desert finished Francesco lead Adele back to their bedroom.

Francesco kissed Adele's forehead and spoke "I have to leave you alone here again. I have a meeting with Antonio. If I was late, go to bed and don't wait for me."

Adele spoke "Can I go for a walk in the compound instead?"

Francesco hesitated "You can but I would rather you didn't.... for today at least."

Adele spoke "Why? ...... Why not? Isn't it safe?"

Francesco sighed "Of course it is safe sweetheart but I would like to be the one to show you around the mansion and the grounds for the first time. I really want to spend time with you and knowing you are out there around the mansion and I am missing out on being with you in a meeting with my cousin would make me feel unsettled. So please stay here alone for a few hours. I promise I would show you around later tomorrow perhaps and then you can go around the compound as much as you like. Do you mind staying in your room tonight?"

Adele spoke "Its fine. I will wait."

Francesco spoke "Thank you sweetheart." He then leaned closer and kissed Adele on the cheek.

As he was about to leave, Adele stopped him with her words "When can I start to work in that office you showed me today at the hospital? When is my first day at the job?"

Francesco sighed "After thanksgiving whenever you are ready." He then walked out without another word.

Adele passed the time by watching TV for a while, then she walked to the library in the room and picked a book to read. She was pleased to see Francesco had a full collection of John Steinbeck books and plays by Shakespeare. She really was in the mood for a happy ending book or at least no tragedy so she took Twelfth Night and started reading. As hours went by Francesco didn't return and Adele started yawning. His meeting had taken way too long with Antonio.

Adele gave into her sleepy state and got ready for bed. She wore her nightgown and then found it to be too revealing. So she wore her dressing gown too and laid down on the bed waiting for Francesco. She had noticed that there was only one king size bed in the room and now Francesco expected them to be sleeping in the same bed since they were adults now. But she knew Francesco wasn't going to cross any lines.

As Adele made herself comfortable and was about to sleep, she heard car engines and shouting from outside her window. She got up and looked outside and whispered " Not again."

Francesco's men were pulling bound figures with sacks on their heads out of the trunk of cars and bringing them inside. It reminded Adele of the past. Francesco had become like his uncle and father. He was following their path. It was now sinking in what had become of Francesco. She knew Francesco was a real criminal from his actions over the first day they had spent together but for some reason the scene in front of her horrified her the most since she had seen it before at Piero Rosario's ranch years ago.

She thought she could wait for Francesco. She waited a while pacing the floor but then she left the bedroom and started walking through the corridors. She didn't know where she was going and what she was hoping to achieve. She just knew she had to find Francesco.

She followed the loud noises. Francesco was shouting " You dare lie to me. Tell me what you were doing in my territory?"

A desperate voice was screaming " Selling drugs to Feed my family I swear. I don't work for anyone."

The noises lead Adele to a fully open door and boldly she stood at the frame looking inside. She was horrified to see, men hung from the ceiling bloodied, blindfolded and crying. Francesco however was too just hitting a kneeling man who had his hands bound behind his back with the back of his gun. His men were standing around the room in a circle. A few of them spotted Adele at the door but looked away immediately, just like how the guards in the corridors had silently ignored her presence.

Francesco alongside Antonio and Costanzo had their backs to the door so they didn't know she was there watching.

Francesco carried on beating the man with the back of his gun as well as kicking him everywhere while the man was crying and begging him to stop.

Adele was frozen in shock. She couldn't move at all. She just watched in horror as Francesco finally pointed the gun at the mans skull and spoke " Any last words? I haven't heard one word of truth out of you so I would like to send you straight to hell right now. Maybe your buddies or rather fellow gang members may be more co-operative. I know you are a spy. I hate liars. Mutter your last words and I will send you to hell."

The man cried " Please no. I tell you everything. ...."

Francesco laughed " You just wasted your last words. Too late to confess. Your buddies will tell me everything. You kept me waiting for too long. Goodbye Marcel."

As Francesco was about to pull the trigger a scream stopped him and made him turn around. There she was, the love of his life standing there holding her hand on her chest. She looked pale and her chest was rising and falling. She was in shock. She swallowed hard and whispered " Sorry. Please Francesco ... No" and covered her mouth staring at him with pleading eyes.

Francesco didn't expect Adele to be watching him at all. He didn't think she would be even awake at this time. He turned around and looked at his men whom were unmoved standing passively waiting for orders from him. He wasnt mad at Adele at all for interfering in his work in front of his men. Not at all. He had already put the fear of god in every single man he had recruited in his organisation. It didn't matter to his men at all that they had just seen his woman scream and pleading to him silently. He had built a reputation over the years that made his men shake from hearing his name. He was just mad at himself at that moment that why he had let his woman free to witness his work that he knew was going to upset her. "He should have locked her up"he thought. "He should have watched her more closely". He kept telling himself. But it was too late.

One thing he was sure of. Francesco had to take care of Adele first before getting on with his business. As much as he liked to continue he couldn't. He turned to Antonio and spoke to him and his men in a tone that made them visibly shake " Continue interrogating these men without me. But don't kill any of them yet. Stand by for my further instructions. Antonio ... You are in charge of this."

Without another word he turned around and walked to Adele who was visibly shaking. He offered his hand to her " Take my hand. We are going back to our bedroom."

Adele shakily brought down her trembling hands and took Francesco's hand reluctantly. He lead her back to their bedroom in silence and opened the door.

He said " After you" and he let go of her hand." As she entered the room, she heard him closing the door and winced. She was looking forward and didn't dare look at Francesco.

Francesco approached Adele from behind and whispered to her " Turn around sweetheart and look at me."

Adele took a deep breath and tried to keep calm but she was still shaking. Adele was expecting the worst. She was sure he was going to hurt her. She turned around slowly and looked into Francesco's furious eyes.

Francesco raised his hand and Adele closed her eyes shut. To her surprise Francesco's hand landed gently on her forehead "Your forehead is a little bit warm. I think you might have a bit of a fever sweetheart. Why don't you lay down and I will get you some warm milk from the kitchens. It may help you sleep easier. And by the way open your eyes. I always want to see your beautiful eyes when I am looking at you."

Adele was baffled. Francesco sounded cold but his words were caring. She opened her eyes.

Francesco nodded " That's more like it. I don't know why you close your eyes when I try to touch your face sometimes. No matter how many times I swear to you I would never hurt you, you never believe me. I hope you learn to trust me when I reach up to your face every time my beautiful angel. Now tell me sweetheart, do you want me to get you anything else except milk. Perhaps honey? You need energy I think. You didn't eat much at dinner."

Adele took a deep breath and spoke " Francesco. Why are you .... being so nice to me? Aren't you mad? I just interfered .... in your business. Aren't you ..... going to do anything to me for this?"

Francesco looked almost surprised " Do anything to you? Like what sweetheart? I love you. It's my responsibility to take care of you. And no Adele. I am not mad at you. I am mad at myself for not locking the door when I knew tonight I was going to be openly conducting parts of my business down the corridor. It won't happen again sweetheart. Next time I will make sure to lock you in here when I take care of business inside one of the rooms in this mansion."

Adele shook her head " No. You are missing the point....."

Francesco spoke impatiently. " I am not missing anything. This is what I do sweetheart. I am a criminal. Most of my business is illegal. I torture. I kill. This is my life. You have always known. But witnessing what I do is not like hearing what I do. I know that. Tell me if I am wrong sweetheart. But you were almost fine until you witnessed what I do. I am sorry. You don't have to see this part of my life. Ever. You were not born in a crime family so this is shocking to you but it's normal to me. You are not expected to see anything relating to my business. I will try to protect you better in future. Now I am going to get you some milk and honey. You will have it. You will rest. You will sleep and I will go back to work and may return in the middle of the night to this bedroom or later. But this time I will lock the door when I leave you so you don't have to witness anything relating to my business."