Ava's POV

I opened my eyes and couldn't recognize the place. Where am I? I tried to get up but my whole body ached. My brain's fuzzy. What happened to me?

"Oh you are awake. "Said Maria.

"Mrs. Rossi?" I asked.

"Oh yes dear. Call me Maria sweetie. How are you feeling dear?"

"A little sore." I try to sit up straight but fail miserably. Maria rushes to my side to help me.

Monica enters the room. I smile at her. "Oh thank God you're my dear. You gave us as quiet a scare."

"Just in time Monica fetch her some tea will you?"

"Of course right away. You rest love I'll bring you some hot tea and breakfast. "

My throat feels dry I reach for the water but Maria beats me to it. She pours me some and I drink it. The cold fluid cooled my throat. "Thank you." I look down at my hands and notice scratches. How did I even get those? Then all the memories come crashing down. The event, the dance with Amadeo, the mysterious man, the gunshots, how she ran for her life. Tears sprang into her eyes remembering everything.

"Oh love you are safe now" said Maria as she hugged me tightly.

"How did I get here?" I asked as she released me.

"Amadeo brought you in last night. You were unconscious .I came as soon as I heard. I was worried about you two."

"Where is Amadeo? Is he okay?"

"Oh he is fine. It was you who we were worried about. Amadeo went crazy when you didn't wake up. You are in shock so doctor gave you some medicine which made you sleep. It took me a while to convince him to rest."

"Thank god he is okay. I was so scared back there. I thought I would never....wait where is Alex?"

"He is with Samantha. I'll bring him. He has been restless for his mama."

"Okay."

She went away to bring Alex and sighed in relief. What if I had died? What if I had not return to my baby? That night was beautiful yet it ended horribly. Monica came back with a tray with food.

"Come on now let's fill you up." Said Monica.

Distant cries were heard. Alex. "Don't cry dear child. Your mama is awake. We are going to meet your mama now. "

"Mama?" he asked. Oh my cutie.

They came into the room and his eyes brightened seeing me.

"Alex baby come here."

I took him in my arms and he latched onto me."Mama. Mama "he said snuggling into me. "Oh my baby I missed you so much." He is here safe with me. I'm so grateful to God.

I spent the whole day with him cuddling in bed. I had to take more medicines and by evening I started to feel better. Everyone had come by to see me. Samantha had even scolded me for almost giving her an early labor. Now Alex was back in his play pan and I thought of walking around the house for a bit. Where is everyone?

I looked around through many rooms but no one was around. Then I heard some voices.

"Oh my they are so romantic." Adele gushed at something.

Maybe they are watching a movie. "You are so precious mia Tesoro." My cheeks burned at the memory. This is what Amadeo said to me after our dance. This sounded like a recording.

"I can't believe you recorded this Daniel. Oh my God this is so amazing."

"I know right. I'm fucking awesome." Said Daniel. What the heck! They recorded our conversation. The voices continued and then they turned Italian. I couldn't understand but then Adele screamed.

"How could he say that? How could he say that he will kill Ava?" she asked angrily.

What? Amadeo will kill me? My mind went blank after that. I was shocked how he could do this to me. I was walking mindlessly when I felt a pair of arms embraced me.

Amadeo's POV

I was roaming around the house in search of my brothers. We need to have a discussion and develop our strategies. After what happened to Ava we need to be more careful now. I need to go see Ava too. I hope she is well now. Her shaken up state is burned in my head. This was all stupid idea. I never thought Salvador would attempt something like this. After all he claimed her to be leverage. Then I saw her in the corridor walking. My heart skipped a beat. She is okay. I advanced towards her hugging her tightly. I cupped her face and looked into her eyes.

"I'm so sorry Ava. " I said.

Her eyes turned angry. She stepped away from my arms and said,"For what? For almost getting me killed or promising that you will kill me yourself."

I was surprised. How did she?

"Why Amadeo? Why? What have I ever done to you?" she asked.

"Ava I ..."

"I was terrified last night. That horrible man tried to take me and I still was thinking about you. Praying for you. You betrayed my trust Amadeo."

"Ava let me explain...wait Ava" I said. She ran away crying. I grabbed onto her hand and pulled her towards me. "Tesoro let me explain."

"No let me go Amadeo. Please. Please don't kill me. Alex has no one but me in this world."

"I would never do that. Ava I care for you."

"No you never cared for me. You always were going to hurt me, weren't you?" she kept hitting my chest with her fists. Tears were flowing down her face. I grabbed her face and claimed her lips. My arms tightened around her waist. She was in shock, she didn't move. She resisted me but not for long. I coaxed her lips and she gave in. I bit her lower lip the action which made her gasp and I took the opportunity to push my tongue in. she tasted sweet, innocent yet fierce just like her personality. Her palms fisted my shirt as deepened our kiss. I moaned at her taste. I sucked her lower lip and she let a moan of her own. I could do this all day but we pulled apart to catch our breaths. Her eyes widened in surprise of what just happened. She touched her lips which were swollen from our kiss. Her cheeks were red. She turned away from me. Oh dear tesoro. What are you doing to me? I know that she liked our kiss as much as I did. Now that I have a taste of I will never let her go.