Costanzo was deep in thought and silent sitting next to the wall, looking down for minutes now. Adele was looking worriedly at him as she was sitting in front of him on the floor. Adele didn't know whether to break the silence between them and had no idea about what to say to make Costanzo feel better. Costanzo looked in great pain and she didn't want to make him feel any worse. She just whispered "I am so sorry. I wish I could help you..."

Costanzo wiped his tears away and looked into her eyes "Thank you Adele for listening to me. As I said, I must deal with this problem alone. But it was nice getting all this off my chest. When I saw her message on the flowers I was very devastated. How could she intend to hurt me this way? How could she threaten me with taking lives of innocent women who through no fault of their own have been associated with me? I never did anything to her to deserve her threats and her hate."

Adele spoke "I know. This sounds outrageous. But cant you assign body guards to all these women she has threatened?"

Costanzo nodded "I can but they are all ancient history. Thy don't even live near me. As long as I don't go near them, she wont hurt them. Only Elize is here tonight. I can imagine that according to Sancia, she is the biggest threat. Elize is single once again and within my reach. She would hurt her in a heart beat if I even acknowledge Elize in the slightest way tonight."

Adele spoke carefully "I am confused. You don't have to answer me but I am curious. Why would Elize be a threat? Francesco forbid you from being with her. You wont go near her. You just won't dare do that since you know Francesco would kill her. Sancia is too clever to not notice that...... unless she doesn't know about Francesco's hate towards law makers. Maybe she doesn't know Francesco hates Elize because of her father's occupation as a senator.". Why would she see Elize as a threat."

Costanzo sighed and spoke with pure sadness in his voice "Sancia knows about Francesco's prejudice and his hate for Elize. But she also knows how much I love Elize and what lengths I am willing to go to be with her. She must remember well about what I did and how I defied Francesco the last time I saw Elize. It all happened in one of the areas her late husband, O'Neil controlled. Francesco had to ask him for permission to enter. O'Neil and Francesco were not allies....." He then looked away."

Adele spoke "What did you do? ....."

Costanzo took a deep breath and shook his head as he turned to look up at Adele " I did the craziest stunt anyone would pull in my situation.... I ran away with Elize. I ran away with her to Las Vegas. I knew I was alone. No one would have helped me. I made a phone call to my uncle Piero to ask for advice. He told me I only had one way. I must have gotten married to Elize and also ..... you know.... Elize had to become pregnant with my child. That could mean Francesco would have had no choice but to let us be. But as you can guess, that plan didn't work out. I deliberately entered O'Neil's territory to get married so that would make it less likely for Francesco to come find me. A wedding is a civilian event that mob bosses allow to happen without causing tension. I thought I could get married without any problems. But I was wrong and it backfired. By the time I stepped inside the church to get married, Francesco's men had tracked me down. They found me....."

Adele gasped in horror "What did he do? What did he do to you and Elize?"

Costanzo continued "Francesco and my father entered the church and wanted to kill Elize. Francesco even took aim but luckily my uncle Piero who was one of the guests arrived at the scene on time. He shielded Elize and had a go at Francesco and my father telling them that they were not allowed to murder in no church. My father was happy to walk out and wait, hating to hear my uncles arguments. But Francesco wasn't having any of it. He said he only wants me and Elize can go free if my uncle backs off. But if my uncle refused to comply, Francesco promised to kill Elize when she stepped foot outside and he wasn't going to miss. My uncle was on my side even though my own father had decided to take sides with Francesco. I have a suspicion that my father told Francesco where I was when I had contacted my uncle. Unlucky for me my father lived with him so he had found out about my plan. Only if Francesco hadn't found out, I would have gotten married that day. I would have been happy...." He paused and took a deep breath.

Adele took his hand in hers and spoke softly " Tell me more ... Please Continue. What did Francesco do?"

Costanzo sighed " Nothing good happened after that. My uncle argued with Francesco that he should let Elize and I be together. But Francesco was getting more and more furious as their argument went on for a while. I was petrified. There was murder in Francesco's eyes. He didn't like me defying him at all. He wanted to prove what he said was the law. He wanted to make an example out of me in front of his men that he was not going to be forced by any one to change his mind. Of course that was a while ago when Francesco was a new mob boss and had just taken over from my father. But Francesco never has to do that these days. Now he is so well established. His name sends fear to the hearts of the most defiant and toughest criminals. He does not need to prove anything. But back then he did and also he hated Elize with a passion. There was no doubt in my mind back then and even to this day that Francesco would never let me marry Elize....."

Adele was covering her mouth shaking her head and then she interrupted "Please tell me Francesco didn't hurt her that day. What happened?"

Costanzo smiled weakly "What happened? What do you think happened? My miserable life got darker. I gave up. In the end I knew that if Francesco was convinced not to kill Elize in those moments that was my chance and I had to take it. Francesco was going to kill Elize if we even got married. He said he would. So I gave Elize one last kiss on the lips and turned to my uncle and whispered to my uncle to protect Elize. Then I walked away from my beloved towards Francesco and told him, he can do what he wants with me as long as he leaves Elize be. I don't know what I would have done without my uncle. He took Elize to his home and kept her safe. Francesco was on edge for days later. He beat me up on daily basis and interrogated me about what I felt for Elize....."

Adele spoke with disbelief "I cant believe this. Why would Francesco do that? Why would he hurt you still? You gave up."

Costanzo spoke "Because Francesco wanted to beat out of me if I still wanted to run away again. I was still part of my uncles mob back then. Antonio was just taking over and Francesco hadn't finalised the joining up of the businesses. That was the suitable time for me to run away. His organisation was at a transition point. So was my uncle's. Francesco was busy with his business. Very busy. It was perfect opportunity for me to run away and disappear and he knew that. Francesco may be a cold hearted blood thirsty crime boss but he cares about keeping his family together. I am his closest blood relative that he cares for and he has close to him. He also liked the idea of showing a strong front with me working for him in front of other bosses. I am one of the top ten best lawyers in the country........ So he held onto me with force. He kept me locked up in his mansion for weeks until he joined forces with Antonio and initiated me into his organisation too and gave me 20% assets and responsibilities that I reluctantly took. What was I to do? Elize was still at my uncle's mansion not daring to come out in the open because Francesco couldn't trust me to stay. But when I joined. Francesco pardoned Elize officially. When he became my boss, everything changed. If I ran away again, things could get serious. That could mean betrayal and that had severe punishments you cant ever imagine. He also promised if I went near Elize, the first thing he did before he punished me for betrayal would have included torturing and killing Elize slowly in front of me so I gave Francesco my loyalty and joined his underground organisation and lost Elize forever."

Adele was speechless. She was sad. She felt so much sympathy for Costanzo. But more than anything she couldn't believe the cruelty of Francesco towards his own brother. Why was Francesco so dead set of getting everything he wanted at the expense of others?

Costanzo spoke seriously "It is all over now. I have bigger problems by the name of Sancia..... Now Adele I didn't mean to upset you. Please don't think too much about what I told you. Well, you asked me a question and I told you the truth. But as I said. Its all over. We must think of the current issues we deal with right now. You know ...... its not only I who has problems. You do too. There is something you should know.......... Tell me .... Did he tell you why he left now and what business he is attending to?"

Adele looked suspiciously at Costanzo and spoke "No he didn't. He just said he was attending to business. The only other clue he gave me was when he was at the window and he was looking outside. I asked him why he is looking outside. He said that he was waiting for someone and then he said he wanted to have a chat with someone and must leave. That's when you came in."

Costanzo sighed "I knew it. He didn't tell you. Of course he didn't...... Look Adele I probably could face Francesco's wrath if he finds out I am telling you this but ..... you are in danger. There is some Italian mob boss by the name of Ambrogio Voltolini is after you. He wants you. Paulo's assassination was his doing."

Adele looked shocked. She whispered "Really? Someone wants me? But why would they go after Francesco's father?"

Costanzo sighed "Its complicated. Ambrogio's father is friends with my uncle and my father. He is in their debt. As long as they live, Ambrogio wont attack the Rosarios and wont dare take you since his father is the one still in charge of their business and says the last words. Ambrogio is not allowed to attack Francesco unless my father and my uncle are dead. He seems to have ordered the hit on my father without his father's knowledge. He wants my uncle and my father dead so his father grants him permission to send men to America and take you and if we don't hand you over they would destroy the Rosarios. That's the Voltolini way. Its all or nothing. They back each other up so well too. They are a big family. If Ambrogio gets support of his cousins from Canada, we would have a big challenge at our hands. But the reason I told you this is to warn you to be careful. Don't trust any one. A spy Francesco had caught talked and his wife also talked when his death sentence was announced. Antonio came to Francesco while you were here to tell Francesco of the new information. Of course Francesco is not killing that spy any longer since he knows, there maybe more to this and also the spy is top class. He would be useful to Francesco. I don't think he ever had intention of killing him any way when he gave that order. He wanted to make him believe he was dying and wasn't going to see the birth of his son forcing him to beg to live and give him more information but his wife did it for him....."

Adele swallowed hard " So someone wants to kill me...."

Costanzo spoke " No. Ambrogio doesn't want to kill you. He is in love with you....."

Adele gasped " What? That's impossible. I have never heard of him."

Costanzo spoke " You have met him though at a hospital. He most likely was admitted to one of the hospitals you did your internship at under a different name to conceal his identity. His family has enemies in Milan and many other cities."

Adele gasped " What am I going to do? What is Francesco going to do?..."

Costanzo spoke " Francesco has a plan. He just left to execute a plan to protect you for a while and buy himself some time to do some more digging about this issue. He is ......" He then stopped mid sentence.

There was noise and sound of heavy foot steps outside. Costanzo quickly held Adele's hand and pulled her upwards as he stood up. He quickly spoke " Quick. Sit at your table. I am supposed to guard you and keep you company. I am not supposed to have a heart to heart. I am technically on duty. I am supposed to be formal."

Adele was about to protest but then heard Francesco's voice talking to the guards outside asking them if they had seen anything suspicious. She quickly turned around and ran to the table and sat down holding her sandwich in her hand and looked at Costanzo who was standing almost in military style stance next to the wall watching her silently. She hated Francesco's business mode sometimes. She preferred occasions when Francesco allowed his brother and his cousin to be more relaxed around him. It seemed like when they were outside it was business time mostly.

Just then, Francesco entered and looked at Costanzo coldly as he closed the door " You didn't make her cry this time, I hope. I never can trust you fully."

Costanzo stated " No. I didn't."

Francesco turned to Adele and his expression turned soft " Sweetheart. Are you ready to go?" .... He then frowned " You still haven't finished your sandwiches." He turned to his brother "Costanzo "

Adele hated acting this way but she got up from her seat and spoke in a panic " Francesco .... This was my ... Second helping. Costanzo made me finish my sandwiches."

Francesco turned to Adele " Did he now? So he is not all useless." He then walked to his brother and stared at him in an intimidating way as he spoke " I actually thought all you are good for at the moment is feeling sorry for yourself over that witch, Sancia. But it seemed like you did this job properly. Good. I am glad your work is not affected by her recent appearance in your life. After all she tried to mess up your mind when you met up with her .... But I am warning you Costanzo ..... Pull yourself together. Get over Sancia. That woman is out of your life for good. Find yourself a woman and make a fresh start. I would rather you stay single forever rather than end up with Sancia but I want you to settle down in the coming years. You have to have heirs Costanzo. There is no way around it. Just marry a woman for a year. I don't care. You don't have to put up with her for a life time. But you must have a son with her and he would be a Rosario raised by you. Is that understood?"

Costanzo nodded weakly "Yes. I understand.

Francesco had no idea what he was asking Costanzo to do. He had no idea how Sancia had threatened Costanzo and had condemned any woman that got close to him to death. Not yet any ways. Costanzo was hoping to keep it that way. He wanted to solve his problems by himself but he didn't know how. He felt alone. Completely alone.