♥ Chapter 29♥

Caterina Vossini. 

20:50 '' Catarina's House. ''Room'' Valdoria.

Right now, I'm getting dressed after a long shower. I put on black leather pants, tight and comfortable, combined with a black silk blouse fitted with a V-neckline that highlights my figure. I choose my high black leather boots, and to top it off, an equally black leather jacket. Likewise, I decide to leave my hair down, which falls in perfect waves over my shoulders. I add a pair of silver earrings, my expensive wristwatch, and, finally, I holster my Glock 19 on my hip, watching my reflection in the mirror with cool, calculated satisfaction.

I have no desire to go to that club. What I really want is to spend more time with my beautiful boy. But to get rid of this fucking bastard as quickly as possible, I'm going to do what's necessary. Giovanni may be a valuable customer, buying my weapons, my drugs, and even some women from the brothels, but that doesn't stop me from considering the possibility of killing him if he continues his insufferable provocations. There is no patience to tolerate disrespect. Everything has a limit, and he's about to surpass mine. At least by going to the club, I can see my boy, and that makes all this effort worth it. But let him not dare to test his luck, because my patience is very short.

After I finish getting organized, I take my cell phone and my wallet and put them in my pants pocket. I leave the room and go down the stairs with firm steps. When I find Giovanni on the couch, waiting for me, I can't help but roll my eyes. His wide smile only increases my irritation.

'' You look wonderful, Catarina. '' He says, with a smile that fails to disguise his insufferable attitude.

I look at him coldly, since he's worthless. But inside, I think: Is it really worth leaving him alive?

'' Thank you for the compliment, Giovanni. '' I respond without hiding my disgust. 

He is dressed in a well-tailored dark blue suit, a crisp white shirt, and a silver tie. The set is elegant and expensive, as he always prefers. But that doesn't make me support him anymore. Giovanni approaches and tries to take my hand to kiss.

Without hesitation, I remove my hand before he can touch it. My tone is cold and cutting.

'' Come on. '' I say, without leaving room for discussion, and pass him, heading towards the exit of the mansion.

Bóris quickly opens the car door for me. I enter, and Giovanni follows me, trying to stay as close as possible. When he settles down, I discreetly run the hand he tried to kiss down his pants, trying to wipe away the unpleasant sensation he left behind.

'' Let's go to the central nightclub, Bóris.

Bóris nods and starts the car, starting our journey. Giovanni, sitting next to me, wastes no time trying to start a conversation.

'' You know, Catarina, I'm always impressed with your ability to manage all of this. '' He says, his voice filled with an awe that I know is part of his game.

'' It's part of the job, Giovanni. '' I respond, looking out the window, trying not to let my disinterest show.

He laughs, a sound that resonates in the silent car.

'' Don't be so modest. Few people can balance so many businesses and still maintain that flawless appearance. '' He reaches out, lightly touching my arm.

I feel a shiver of repulsion. Without giving him time to react, I grab his hand and bend it tightly, eliciting a groan of pain from Giovanni.

'' Listen carefully, Giovanni. Just because we're business partners doesn't mean I give you permission to touch me. I tolerate a lot of things, but don't push your luck. '' My voice is cold as ice, and he gives a forced smile, trying to hide the pain.

'' I really admire that about you. His coldness, his control. And of course, your beauty is something that enchants me every time we meet.

'' Make no mistake, Giovanni. Just because I'm beautiful and cold doesn't mean I'm not mortal. You know what happened to the French mafia, don't you? ''My voice is a poisonous whisper. ''Everyone underestimated me, just like you are doing now. But they learned the hard way. I didn't want control over France, I just wanted to show what I'm capable of. '' I squeezed his hand even tighter, making him bite his lip in pain. ''Keep those hands of yours to yourself.

'' Of course, of course. But I don't see the harm in mixing a little pleasure with business. '' He leans closer, his voice a whisper. ''After all, we are adults, and we can enjoy the night, right? I know you're dangerous, and that only attracts me more. A broken hand won't make me give up.

I give a cold, cruel laugh before grabbing his neck tightly, cutting off his air.

'' I've had a lot of men like you try to get close. Do you know what happened to them? They were eliminated. I don't hesitate to kill, Giovanni. I don't mind starting a war against you. So you better shut up and enjoy the night in silence before I lose my patience for good.

He steps back, finally realizing the seriousness of the situation.

'' I understand. '' He says, leaning back in the seat, rubbing his sore hand and neck. ''But I can't help but try, Catarina. You are a fascinating woman.

'' And you, a valued customer. '' I reply, my tone now cutting. ''Let's focus on this, unless you want to become my enemy.

The journey continues in tense silence, and I enjoy the brief moment of tranquility.

****

21:16, ''Nightclub'' Valdoria.

When the car stops in front of the club, Bóris quickly gets out and opens the door for me. I step out of the car with confidence and grace, adjusting my leather jacket as I head towards the entrance. Giovanni follows me closely, and I feel his gaze fixed on me.

The security guard at the door recognizes me immediately and opens the entrance without hesitation. We walk past him and enter the club, where the loud music and vibrant crowd instantly envelop us.

Giovanni leans in to speak in my ear, trying to be heard over the blaring music.

'' It's full. I liked this place. '' He says, with a smile that suggests amusement.

I nod, keeping my expression impassive. I'm not here to have fun, but to make you satisfied and make you go away. Furthermore, I point towards the VIP area and start walking towards it, Giovanni and Bóris following closely behind me.

Upon arriving at the VIP area, security guards moved quickly to allow us entry. The atmosphere here is a little calmer, a refuge from the chaos that dominates the rest of the club. I sit down on the black leather couch and cross my legs, watching Giovanni as he sits next to me, still with that annoying smile on his face.

'' Not bad, huh? '' He comments, looking around before focusing back on me. ''This place really knows how to create an atmosphere.

I just nod, maintaining my professional demeanor.

'' I created this place to be really fun. '' I say, signaling for a waiter to bring a bottle of our best whiskey. ''You mentioned that you wanted to have fun before leaving. This place is full of beautiful women, and I'm sure you'll have fun.

Just get out of my field of vision.

Giovanni smiles even more.

'' Of course, Catherine. But the real person I'm interested in is you. '' He responds, leaning back comfortably on the couch.

This son of a bitch doesn't give up. He really wants to make me lose control, doesn't he?

His gaze is intense, and I feel his hand move to my thigh, stroking it slowly. Without thinking twice, I slapped him in the face so hard that the sound of the slap was drowned out by the music in the room. 

'' Giovanni, it seems that my warning had no effect. '' I say, and when he turned to speak, I landed another even harder slap.  ''Every time you touch me, you will receive another increasingly harder slap. And since I'm someone without patience, next time, it'll be a shot in your forehead. 

He looks at me with his hand on his face and smiles.

'' You know, a broken hand or a bruised face. '' He says, leaning a little closer. ''It won't make me stop wanting you, Catarina. 

I laugh, cold and sharp, while my gaze remains implacable. ''What do I like about my little one? So obsessive and intense?' 'The question echoes in my mind as I pull away a little, fighting the anger that almost boils over.

'' Maybe you're looking for war. '' I say, with a tone of threat that makes the surrounding environment seem to freeze. I take the glass of whiskey that the waiter brought, holding it tightly, my gaze fixed on Giovanni. ''If that's what you want, I can very well provide you with hell.

Giovanni, with his stupid smile still on his face, tries to divert the tension with a casual gesture, picking up his glass.

'' All right, I'll try to restrain myself. '' He says, his eyes shining with a mixture of challenge and excitement.

I roll my eyes dismissively, my anger almost visible. “How dare he play with fire so close to my limit?” I think. The patience I have for him is about to run out, and what's left is a fury ready to be unleashed. If he dares to cross that line, he will discover that my tolerance has a much more lethal limit than he can imagine.

No one is more attractive than my little one. Only he can make my skin crawl with lust, only he can make me crazy. This man next to me just makes me angry. And speaking of my little one, I discreetly turn to the bar where Axel is serving some people. Now that I ordered your hair to be cut, I can see your beautiful face and your beautiful eyes better. Ah, just seeing him makes my innermost being throbbed with excitement.

'' Who are you looking at so intensely? '' He asks, with his hand smoothing my thigh.

When Giovanni starts to stroke my leg, a surge of cold fury takes over me. Without hesitation, I pull out my gun and place it against his head with calculated precision, my gaze freezing.

Giovanni instantly tenses, his relaxed posture shattered. I glare at him with icy anger, ignoring any attempt to disguise my contempt.

'' Giovanni, it seems like you really didn't get the message. '' I say with a coldness that makes the air seem to freeze. I grab his hand with brutal force, making him groan in pain. ''At this moment, not only have you lost my respect, you have also ignited my anger. If you continue this behavior, not only will our business end, but I will ensure your end as well. Did you understand? '' I squeeze even tighter, feeling his bones almost crack under my pressure. ''Touch me again, and I will make sure you can never use that hand again.

Before he can respond, a crashing noise is heard. I turn my head quickly and see my little one staring at me, shocked. I notice the sparkle of tears forming in her eyes. 

Drug. Damn!

He walks away from the bar, letting someone else take over, and leaves. I quickly get up, completely ignoring Giovanni, and go after my boy, determined to resolve this immediately.

Desperation begins to spread through me. What if he doesn't want to be with me anymore? What if I think I'm getting involved with another man? The fear is almost paralyzing. It's not just desire or obsession, it's something much deeper and more real. I never thought I could feel this way about someone. I never thought I would care so much about someone's opinion that I would fear rejection.

The anxiety grows with every step I take, and I realize that what I feel for Axel is more than a simple attraction. It's true affection—a connection that goes beyond superficiality. 

My heart races when I imagine that he could walk away from me and run away, and it leaves me with a feeling of helplessness. I need to find Axel, I need to show him that he's the only one I care about and that he has no reason to doubt what we share.