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Short filmTranscript
00:00The dawn of the Russo family lay on the brink of death following a hit by a rival syndicate.
00:06On his deathbed surrounded by the family's capos, he made his final will.
00:10Whichever of his two sons made it to the hospital first, and slipped the black onyx ring onto his finger
00:16would inherit the multi-billion, dollar mafia empire.
00:19As the eldest son Cassian was only a 30-minute drive away, the throne was practically handed to him.
00:24Instead, he chose to throw a lavish birthday party for his precious sweetheart Julia on a private yacht.
00:30She told him she wanted no interruptions, so he shut off his phone.
00:33In my previous life, I took a speedboat, stormed the yacht with a crew, and dragged him back to the
00:38hospital by force, securing his seat as the dawn.
00:41But because he left her midway, Julia stood on the deck crying all night, caught a nasty fever, and threatened
00:47to break up with him when she woke up.
00:48Once in power, Cassian was driven mad by guilt.
00:51He called me a cold-blooded, heartless bitch, had my feet set in concrete, and threw me off the Brooklyn
00:56Bridge.
00:57When I opened my eyes, I was back in that hospital, with the family lawyer desperately urging me to make
01:01the call.
01:02I looked down at my phone.
01:03On Instagram, Cassian had just posted.
01:06I calmly double-tapped the screen to like his post.
01:09Then, I sent a text to my exiled brother-in-law, Mateo.
01:15Valerie, what are you zoning out for?
01:17Call Cassian, now!
01:18The dawn gave his word.
01:20Whoever gets that black onyx ring on their finger before he takes his last breath rules the Russo family.
01:25It is a 30-minute drive.
01:28If Cassian leaves right now, this billion-dollar empire is his.
01:32I masked the cold hatred in my eyes, in front of a room full of capos and doctors.
01:37I dialed Cassian's number.
01:38It rang for a long, long time.
01:40Just as the lawyer started sweating, the call finally connected.
01:43Valerie, are you out of your mind?
01:45How many times do I have to tell you?
01:47It is Julia's birthday, and I am staying with her!
01:50Your father was shot.
01:51They are trying to save him in the hospital.
01:53Cassian, are you going to leave me again?
01:55Valerie, it is my birthday.
01:57I just want him for one night.
01:58You really don't need to make up such twisted lies.
02:01Do I have to get on my knees and beg you to let him stay a little longer?
02:04Don't be scared, Julia.
02:06I'm not leaving.
02:07I'm not going anywhere.
02:10Did you hear that?
02:11It is just one night.
02:13Can you drop the jealous wife routine for one-
02:15Hearing this, the lawyer's veins popped on his forehead.
02:17He snatched the phone.
02:18Cassian, it is the family lawyer.
02:20Valerie is not lying.
02:22The Don was actually hit.
02:24He is in the hospital right now.
02:26You need to get here in 30 minutes, because the Don said-
02:32Oh, the family lawyer, huh?
02:34An arrogant male voice suddenly cut in.
02:37It was Jax, Cassian's lackey and Julia's younger brother.
02:40Jax laughed mockingly through the speaker.
02:42Valerie, you really pulled out all the stops today, hiring actors and everything.
02:46Too bad you miscalculated.
02:49I got a buddy on the payroll in that precinct.
02:51He said the streets are dead quiet tonight.
02:53No hits, no nothing.
02:54Valerie is just a jealous bitch paying actors to put on a show,
02:58so you will go crawling back to her.
02:59Valerie, using my father's life for a cheap stunt,
03:04you disgust me.
03:08Is this the eldest son?
03:11How could he be this stupid?
03:13Valerie, you fucking curse!
03:18In my past life, I was too panicked to react and took the hit.
03:22This time, I was ready.
03:23I sneered and took a step back.
03:27Where is he?
03:28Where is Cassian?
03:31If Cassius doesn't make it back,
03:33if the family falls into someone else's hands,
03:36I will sell you to the brothels myself!
03:39Useless trash!
03:40You can't even get your own man to come back.
03:43If Cassian loses his inheritance,
03:45we will skin you alive!
03:51I knew why they were losing their minds.
03:53Carmela wasn't the Don's legal wife.
03:55She started out as a stripper and used her pregnancy to climb the ladder,
03:58giving birth to his firstborn, Cassian.
04:01Years ago, when the Don's actual wife was heavily pregnant,
04:04Carmela showed up at the estate with her baby,
04:06spitting such vicious insults that the wife went into premature labor
04:10and bled to death on the operating table.
04:12The legitimate son, Matteo, who was born without a mother,
04:15was treated like a thorn in their side.
04:17Cassian and Carmela abused him, beat him,
04:19and eventually found an excuse to exile him to Sicily,
04:22keeping him far away from the family's core business.
04:25Though the Don let Carmela live in the manor,
04:27he always thought she was too low-class to actually marry.
04:30That meant if the Don died and Cassian didn't take the throne,
04:33family rules dictated Carmela would be thrown out on the streets.
04:36If she goes down, her crew goes down with her.
04:38That is why they're all looking sick with worry.
04:41Are you deaf?
04:42Call his lackey!
04:44Tell him to drag Cassian here right now!
04:46I looked at her coldly, didn't argue,
04:48and obediently dialed Jax's number.
04:50Valerie, are you physically incapable of taking a hint?
04:52Can't you give it a rest?
04:54Stop clinging to the boss like a desperate loser.
04:56Honestly, if you were my woman,
04:57I would tie you up and beat some sense into you first.
05:00Women need to learn to shut up and stay out of family business.
05:04His blatant disrespect left everyone in the room stunned.
05:06Jax, I don't care if you believe me.
05:09The Don is fading fast.
05:11He gave his word between Cassian and Mateo.
05:15Whoever puts on the ring first gets the Empire.
05:19A sudden, eerie silence fell over the line.
05:21Jax's tone shifted, sounding hesitant.
05:24Are you serious?
05:29It is true.
05:30It is true.
05:31I am Cassian's mother.
05:32You need to tell him to come back.
05:34There's a back.
05:34It's about the inheritance.
05:36Jax said slowly.
05:37Well, if it's true, I'll go tell the boss right now.
05:40Carmela let out a huge breath of relief.
05:42As long as Cassian gets back...
05:44A burst of hysterical laughter erupted from the phone.
05:46Jax sounded like he just heard the funniest joke in the world.
05:49Jesus Christ.
05:50Valerie, you really don't know when to quit, do you?
05:52I already busted your little scam,
05:54and you are still bringing the actors back for a second act?
05:55Let me tell you something.
05:56The boss said even if the FBI raids this boat tonight,
05:59nobody is ruining his alone time with my sister.
06:01Your little mind games are useless.
06:03If you know what's good for you, get lost.
06:05The boss is filing for divorce tomorrow.
06:08He is only going to love my sister for the rest of his life,
06:10and I am going to be the Don's brother-in-law.
06:14As for you, get ready to pack your bags and go beg on the streets.
06:18The call hung up mercilessly,
06:20slowly turning into sheer horror.
06:22I made my eyes well up with tears,
06:24looking extremely wrong.
06:25I had been married to Cassian for three years
06:27to secure his position in the family.
06:29I spent countless sleepless nights cooking,
06:32hiding his dirty money,
06:33and cleaning up his messes.
06:34And what did he do?
06:35He took the money I made him
06:37and bought a $10 million yacht for Julia.
06:40Valerie,
06:41you already have the title of the Russo family's wife.
06:44Julia has nothing.
06:46What is wrong with spending some money to make it up to her?
06:49He even had the nerve to tell me.
06:51All men stray.
06:53As long as he comes home to you,
06:54why do you care how many girls he keeps on the side?
06:58Yeah, exactly.
06:59So tonight, let Cassian be with the woman he truly loves.
07:03As for the Godfather's seat,
07:05you can kiss it goodbye.
07:35A mess of heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway.
07:36You're a useless bitch!
07:37Before I could say a word,
07:39the heart monitor suddenly started blaring a warning alarm.
07:42The private physician rushed over to check.
07:45A moment later,
07:45he gave a slight shake of his head.
07:47Gentlemen,
07:48the dawn has 40 minutes at most.
07:50You need to figure this out fast.
07:5240 minutes.
07:53Honestly,
07:54if Cassian just checked his social media or picked up the phone,
07:58a 30-minute drive from the docks was more than enough time.
08:01Hope reignited in Carmela's eyes.
08:03Her hands shook as she dialed his number.
08:05Cassian, please,
08:07pick up your mother's call.
08:11The yacht was anchored just off the coast.
08:13Julia straddled Cassian's lap.
08:15She complained about the ringing phone killing the mood.
08:18That ringing is giving me a headache.
08:21Cassian,
08:21just turn it off or throw it in the ocean.
08:26Tonight is my birthday.
08:28She lowered her eyelashes.
08:29You can only have me in your world.
08:31You can only look at me.
08:33Can you do that for me?
08:35Cassian hesitated for a second,
08:37Valerie's words flashing through his mind,
08:39but looking at Julia's lustful,
08:41dependent eyes,
08:42any doubt he had vanished.
08:43The old man was tough as nails.
08:46He wouldn't just drop dead.
08:47All right.
08:48As long as my queen is happy,
08:50even if the sky falls,
08:51you are the only thing I care about.
08:53Cassian kissed her hard then,
08:55without a second thought,
08:56tossed both phones into the dark sea.
09:02Sorry,
09:03the number you have reached is unavailable.
09:05Carmela must have called 20 times.
09:09Her men tried to comfort her.
09:11Donna Carmela,
09:11don't panic.
09:12Even if Cassian doesn't make it,
09:13it is fine.
09:14That bastard Mateo is still in Sicily,
09:16right?
09:16A flight from there takes over 10 hours.
09:18He will never make it.
09:20Hearing this,
09:21Carmela let out a breath she was holding.
09:24But then,
09:24one of their spies rushed into the room.
09:26Ma'am,
09:27bosses,
09:28someone said they saw Mateo's crew,
09:30a few blocks away.
09:31He is almost here.
09:33Impossible.
09:34He is in Sicily.
09:35How could he be back so fast?
09:36I stood quietly by the edge of the room,
09:38feeling a dark sense of satisfaction.
09:40Actually,
09:41Mateo had secretly returned to New York days ago,
09:43to handle some family business.
09:45In my previous life,
09:46Carmela blocked all information from reaching him
09:49so he wouldn't compete for power.
09:50Never let Mateo know.
09:51By the time Mateo found out and rushed over,
09:54he was 30 minutes too late.
09:56But this time,
09:57the moment I opened my eyes,
09:58I sent the news straight to him.
10:00The docks!
10:01Go to the docks!
10:02You useless trash!
10:04Come with me!
10:05We are bringing him back!
10:07Carmela completely lost it.
10:08I let her drag me into the car,
10:10because I knew exactly how obsessed Cassian was with Julia.
10:14He had locked down that yacht for their alone time.
10:16Even if Carmela went herself,
10:18it wouldn't change a damn thing.
10:24When we got to the pier,
10:26Carmela and her heavily armed thugs
10:27rushed the entrance like maniacs.
10:29But a dozen guards armed with assault rifles
10:31blocked the gate.
10:33Standing front and center was Jax,
10:35looking as smug as ever.
10:36Are you blind?
10:37The boss locked down the pier tonight.
10:39Not even a fly gets in.
10:40I am his mother!
10:42Let me in!
10:43Tell Cass that Mateo's about to steal his throne!
10:46Lost her balance
10:46and crashed hard onto the concrete.
10:48Listen here, old lady.
10:50You guys are really addicted to this acting gig, huh?
10:53First Valerie gets someone to fake being a lawyer
10:56and a mom over the phone,
10:57and now you show up trying to play the victim?
10:59You people will stoop to anything
11:01to ruin his night with my sister.
11:03The boss gave a direct order.
11:05Even if his own mother shows up,
11:07she can wait outside.
11:08Carmela was shaking violently,
11:10choking on her own fury.
11:12She ordered her men to break through.
11:13But after a brief, bloody scuffle,
11:16they were beaten back,
11:17heads bleeding.
11:18Utterly desperate,
11:19Carmela screamed,
11:20cursed,
11:20and clawed at the heavy iron gates.
11:22Finally, her knees gave out.
11:24She literally dropped to her knees
11:26in front of Jax,
11:27bowing her head against the dirt.
11:30I beg you.
11:32Let me in to see him.
11:35If we are too late,
11:37everything is gone.
11:39Leaning against the car door
11:41watching this circus,
11:42I couldn't stop the corner of my lips
11:44from curving up.
11:45At that exact moment,
11:46back in the hospital,
11:47dozens of eyes were glued
11:48to the heart monitor
11:49as the jagged lines
11:51grew flatter and flatter.
11:52Then, the hallway fell dead silent.
11:54A tall, imposing figure
11:55in a black trench coat
11:57stepped over the threshold.
11:58The moment his heavy boots halted,
12:00the red line on the monitor
12:02flatlined completely.
12:08The family lawyer took a deep breath.
12:10Facing the elders,
12:11his voice rang out solemn
12:13and clear.
12:13According to the final will
12:14and testament,
12:15Mr. Mateo arrived
12:16at the final moment.
12:17From this second on,
12:18Mr. Mateo is the undisputed
12:20dawn of the Russo family.
12:22No matter how furious
12:23Cassian's supporters were,
12:25no one dared to say a word.
12:26Mateo slipped the black onyx ring
12:28onto his finger.
12:29One by one,
12:30every capo in the room
12:31bowed their heads in submission.
12:34When the voice note
12:36from my informant
12:36played through my phone,
12:38Carmela's eyes rolled back
12:39and she fainted cold
12:40on the damp concrete.
12:42Meanwhile,
12:43out on the yacht,
12:43the two of them
12:44were still tangled
12:45in the sheets.
12:46Julia curled up
12:47against Cassian's bare chest,
12:49her skin still flushed
12:50and damp.
12:51Cassian,
12:52this is the best day
12:53of my life.
12:54Thank you for risking
12:55everything for me.
12:56Promise me you'll always
12:57be this good to me.
12:58Of course,
12:59just wait.
12:59Someday I'm gonna get rid
13:00of Valera
13:01and make you my real wife.
13:03The yacht was nearing
13:04the docks.
13:07Cassian glanced up.
13:08Waiting for them
13:09on the pier
13:09was a sea of dark suits
13:11and the blood instantly
13:12drained from his face.
13:14Cassian marched over,
13:16his eyes full of contempt.
13:17Valerie,
13:18you are like a ghost
13:18that won't go away!
13:20What kind of stun is this?
13:22Bringing in a bunch
13:23of crazy bitches here
13:24to cry and make a scene?
13:25You think making yourself
13:26look pitiful
13:26is gonna make me
13:27look at you?
13:27He noticed the unconscious
13:29woman on the ground
13:30and the bleeding thugs,
13:31but he was so blinded
13:32by annoyance,
13:33he didn't even recognize
13:34his own mother.
13:35Boss,
13:35don't worry.
13:36I kept all these
13:37troublemanters out.
13:38Not a single fly
13:39got in to ruin
13:40your romantic night
13:41with my sister.
13:42Valerie,
13:43if you keep acting
13:43like a psycho,
13:44we are filing
13:44for divorce tomorrow.
13:46For three years,
13:47you have paraded around
13:48acting like the queen
13:48of the Russo family,
13:49but in bed you are
13:50as boring as a piece
13:51of wood.
13:51I'm sick of you.
13:53Believe me,
13:53with one word,
13:54I can have you thrown
13:54out of this family
13:55with nothing.
13:56Valerie,
13:57I actually feel
13:58sorry for you.
13:58You married Cassian
13:59for money and power,
14:01but your heart
14:02is full of schemes.
14:03You can't offer him
14:04anything real.
14:05Cassian doesn't need power.
14:07He needs true love.
14:09Why put yourself
14:09through this?
14:11Fine.
14:13You two go
14:13love each other forever.
14:20Stop!
14:35Matei?
14:36What are you doing here?
14:38Hey!
14:39Where are you going?
14:39Get back here right now!
14:41Suddenly,
14:41a sharp echoing slap
14:42rang out.
14:43Carmilla,
14:44who had just woken up
14:45from the cold ground,
14:46summoned a terrifying
14:47amount of strength
14:48and backhanded Julia
14:49right across her
14:50delicate face.
14:51Julia screamed
14:52and collapsed,
14:53half of her face
14:54instantly swelling up.
14:56Mom?
14:56Mom?
14:57What are you doing here?
14:58Why are you acting
14:59crazy with Valerie?
15:01Why did you hit Julia?
15:03Hit her?
15:04I will skin the bitch alive!
15:06Open your damn eyes
15:08and look!
15:09Look at what your stupidity
15:10just cost us
15:11for this little slit!
15:12Frowning with extreme irritation,
15:15Cassian grabbed the phone.
15:16On the screen was the breaking news alert
15:18flashing across every major network.
15:21Russo family Don assassinated.
15:23Second son Mateo arrives at last minute
15:25to inherit empire.
15:27A new godfather rises.
15:29Right below the headline was a high
15:30definition video
15:32of the lawyer's announcement.
15:33According to the final will and testimate,
15:35Mr. Mateo arrived at the final moment.
15:37Mr. Mateo is the undisputed Don
15:39of the Russo family.
15:40In the video,
15:42Mateo, dressed in a sharp black suit,
15:44stood by the Don's bed
15:45and slipped the black onyx ring
15:47onto his finger.
15:48Cassian's pupils shrank to pinpricks.
15:50He stared at the screen,
15:52his fingers starting to tremble
15:53uncontrollably.
15:55No.
15:55No, this is impossible.
16:01How could father be assassinated?
16:03This is fake!
16:07Valerie, you doctored this video,
16:08didn't you?
16:09I stood perfectly still,
16:10a mocking smile touching my lips.
16:12Cassian,
16:13why don't you call your capos
16:15and find out if it's fake or not?
16:17Phone.
16:17Phone.
16:18Give me the phone right now.
16:19The second the screen lit up,
16:21hundreds of missed calls
16:22and thousands of texts
16:23flooded in like death warrants.
16:25Boss, where are you?
16:26If you don't come back right now,
16:27Mateo is taking everything.
16:28Cassian looked like
16:29he had been struck by lightning.
16:31His knees went weak
16:32and he nearly dropped to the ground.
16:34Carmela suddenly lunged at Julia.
16:36You brainless whore.
16:38It is all because of you.
16:40A fucking birthday party.
16:42If it wasn't for you,
16:43Cassian would have made it
16:44to the hospital.
16:44You ruined the rest of my life,
16:46you dirty whore.
16:48Julia screamed in agony,
16:49her perfect makeup smeared with tears
16:51as she struggled.
16:54Cassian!
16:55Help me, Cassian!
16:57Sister!
16:59But the family elders behind Carmela
17:01already driven insane
17:02by losing their power-tackled Jax
17:04to the ground
17:05and beat the living hell out of him.
17:07You're the one who blocked the gate.
17:09I will put a bullet in you myself.
17:11The pier devolved into absolute chaos.
17:14Screams from Julia and Jax
17:15rang out everywhere.
17:18Cassian finally snapped out of his shock.
17:21Enough!
17:21Stop!
17:22Get off her!
17:23Don't touch Julia!
17:24Carmela was already old.
17:26When Cassian yanked her off Julia,
17:27she lost her balance
17:28and crashed heavily onto the deck.
17:33Dead silence.
17:34Everyone stared at Cassian
17:36in absolute disbelief.
17:38Are you insane?
17:41You hit your own mother for this, slut?
17:43How did I give birth
17:44to such a stupid son?
17:46Cassian wrapped his arms
17:48around a shivering Julia.
17:49If I lost my territory,
17:50I will take it back!
17:52As long as I breathe,
17:53I will build my way back to the top.
17:54But if any of you touch
17:55one hair on Julia's head,
17:57I will kill you.
17:58He scooped Julia up,
18:00bolted into his sports car
18:01like he was running for his life,
18:03and sped off.
18:04Watching these rabid dogs
18:05tear each other apart,
18:07my smile grew wider.
18:08Is that so?
18:09Let's see how you rise
18:10back to the top.
18:11An hour later,
18:12Cassian took Julia
18:13to the hospital
18:14to get patched up,
18:15then drove back
18:15to the Russo family manor.
18:19The moment he walked
18:20through the doors,
18:21he started barking orders.
18:23Butler,
18:25prepare Abilene
18:26and Seeducud for dinner.
18:32How dare you!
18:34Out on the front lawn,
18:36all his custom suits,
18:37luxury watches,
18:38and personal belongings
18:39were piled up like garbage.
18:41I was sitting elegantly
18:43on the sofa,
18:44slowly sipping champagne,
18:45and sitting right beside me
18:47was Mateo.
18:51Valerie,
18:52Mateo,
18:53you have some nerve!
18:54You bastard!
18:55You dare step foot in my house?
18:57The Russo family isn't yours.
18:59I am the eldest son,
19:00and this empire belongs to me.
19:01Take this toxic bitch
19:02and get out of my house!
19:03He instinctively reached
19:05for the gun at his waist,
19:06but Mateo's bodyguards
19:07moved in a flash,
19:08kicking him hard in the chest
19:10and dropping him to the floor.
19:12Who do you think
19:13runs the Russo family now?
19:14I sneered,
19:15stood up,
19:16and threw a divorce agreement
19:17and a thick stack
19:18of bank statements
19:19right in his face.
19:20Sign the divorce papers
19:21and look at those statements.
19:23Over the last three years,
19:23you immeasabled family funds
19:25to buy yachts
19:25and diamonds for Julia,
19:26$30 million in total.
19:28Mateo swirled his whiskey glass,
19:29a dangerous smirk
19:30on his lips.
19:31Big brother,
19:32I run the finances now,
19:33and I have audited the books.
19:36You either pay back the money,
19:37or I handle this
19:38the traditional mafia way,
19:39and you pay
19:40with a pound of flesh.
19:46Valerie,
19:46you think slapping
19:47a $30 million debt on me
19:48is going to make me beg?
19:49You think throwing me out
19:50will make me leave Julia
19:51and come crawling back to you?
19:53You miscalculated.
19:54Even if you do all this,
19:56I'll never choose you.
19:56As long as I have Julia
19:57by my side,
19:58I will build my own empire
19:59from the ground up.
20:00I will wait for the day
20:01you come begging me
20:02on your knees.
20:03Come on, Julia.
20:03We are leaving.
20:04Watching his dramatic exit,
20:06I almost laughed out loud.
20:08Build his own empire
20:09from the ground up.
20:10He was nothing
20:11without the Russo name,
20:12and soon enough,
20:13he'd learn a hard truth.
20:14Empires don't rise from nothing,
20:16and gold diggers
20:17don't stay for love.
20:20One month later,
20:22inside a hot, humid,
20:23run-down motel
20:24with water dripping
20:25from the ceiling.
20:26It was the exact opposite
20:27of the luxurious Russo estate.
20:29Cassian,
20:30are you entirely useless?
20:34Julia's hair was a mess.
20:35She pointed right
20:36at Cassian's nose,
20:38screaming.
20:38That sweet, gentle face of hers
20:40was now twisted with rage.
20:42You can't even buy me
20:43a decent dress!
20:45Some boss you are!
20:46Ever since Cassian
20:48was thrown out,
20:48all his bank accounts
20:49had been frozen
20:50to pay off his debt.
20:51All of Julia's
20:52limited edition bags
20:53and diamonds
20:54had been confiscated
20:55and liquidated.
20:56Used to a life
20:56of extreme luxury,
20:58Julia's true colors
20:59finally bled through.
21:01Cassian stepped forward humbly,
21:03trying to hold her hand.
21:04Julia,
21:05please,
21:06don't be mad.
21:07I have already reached out
21:09to a few guys
21:10who used to follow me.
21:13Once I find-
21:14Find what?
21:15What the hell
21:16can your pocket change do?
21:21You can't even buy me a purse!
21:23How can you say you love me?
21:26Weren't you the big boss?
21:28Julia.
21:29A flash of genuine hurt
21:30crossed Cassian's eyes.
21:32You weren't like this before.
21:34You told me as long as we have love,
21:36you wouldn't care
21:36even if the sky fell.
21:38Julia looked at him
21:39with pure disgust.
21:40Without money,
21:41your love is worthless.
21:43Just then,
21:43with a loud bang,
21:44the motel door
21:45was kicked open.
21:46Jax stumbled inside,
21:48covered in blood.
21:49Sis!
21:50Save me, sis!
21:53I owe the casino!
21:55They said if I don't pay up today,
21:58they are chopping off
21:59my hands and feet!
22:03Are you deaf?
22:04They are going to maim my brother!
22:07Pay them!
22:08Julia screamed in terror,
22:10shoving Cassian forward.
22:11I-
22:13Cassian went pale.
22:14I don't have any money left.
22:16Jax's eyes were wild.
22:17He dropped to the floor,
22:18hugging Cassian's leg
22:19and shaking him violently.
22:21Cassian,
22:22go beg Valerie!
22:24She used to love you so much,
22:26she did whatever you said!
22:28Get on your knees
22:29and beg her for the money!
22:31Cassian flinched
22:32like he had been hit with a bat.
22:33He stared at Julia,
22:34his lips trembling.
22:36Julia,
22:37do you think I should do that too?
22:42Well, you're useless right now anyway.
22:44Julia avoided his eyes,
22:46her face filled with revulsion.
22:47If you can scam some money out of her, do it.
22:50You can't just let my brother get crippled.
22:52Cassian completely broke down.
22:54He couldn't accept that his precious first love
22:56was really like this.
22:57He held his head in his hands,
22:58trying to hypnotize himself.
23:00She is just tired.
23:02She still loves me.
23:05She is just scared.
23:06But reality shattered his last layer of delusion
23:08the very next day.
23:10Julia went straight to Mateo,
23:11sitting on a massive leather sofa.
23:13Mateo casually spun a pistol in his hand.
23:16Julia was heavily dressed up.
23:18She wore a tight, short dress,
23:20deliberately pulling down the collar
23:21to expose her collarbones.
23:26Her eyes were red as she spoke
23:27in a choked, breathy voice.
23:29Dawn,
23:30to be honest,
23:31I never liked
23:34Cassian's brutality from the start.
23:35Julia took a step closer,
23:37leaning her upper body
23:38over his mahogany desk,
23:39her voice dripping with seduction.
23:41He made me.
23:42He used his status
23:43to force me to stay with him.
23:45But in my heart,
23:47I have always admired men like you.
23:50Real men.
23:52Men with real power and ambition.
23:54A mocking gleam
23:55flashed in Mateo's eyes.
23:56Is that so?
23:58He forced you?
23:59Seeing Mateo
24:00hadn't kicked her out,
24:01Julia was thrilled.
24:02She even dropped to her knees,
24:04pressing herself against his leg.
24:06It is true.
24:08Cassian is nothing.
24:10He is a brainless coward.
24:12I never loved him.
24:15As long as you let me stay by your side,
24:18I will do anything you want.
24:22Julia!
24:26A roar of utter disbelief
24:28and raw fury
24:29echoed from the doorway.
24:31Cassian stared dead,
24:32eyed at Julia,
24:33who was kneeling on the floor,
24:34her dress half off,
24:35offering herself to Mateo.
24:37You treacherous whore!
24:39He charged forward like a madman,
24:40wrapping his hands around Julia's throat
24:42and slamming her hard into the floor.
24:44I threw away my title
24:46as godfather for you!
24:49I abandoned my own mother for you!
24:51And you dare betray me?
24:53I will kill you!
24:54Julia screamed in terror,
24:56desperately slapping his arms,
24:57her eyes rolling into the back of her head.
24:59Cassian probably didn't realize
25:01that if Mateo hadn't explicitly ordered
25:03the downstairs guards to let him through,
25:05he wouldn't have even made it into the lobby.
25:07How could we throw a play without the lead actor?
25:09I stepped out from behind the concealed door,
25:12looking down at them from above,
25:13traded a billion-dollar mafia empire
25:15for a woman like this?
25:17Your true love sure didn't come cheap, Cassian.
25:20That broke him.
25:21Hearing my voice,
25:22Cassian snapped his head up.
25:23Then, he suddenly started laughing
25:25like a complete psychopath.
25:27He was choking Julia,
25:28laughing out loud
25:29while massive tears rolled down his face.
25:31I was wrong!
25:32I was so fucking wrong!
25:34This circus ended with Mateo's bodyguards
25:36dragging them both out.
25:38Cassian's face was twisted with mania.
25:40I recognized that look,
25:41it was the exact same one he'd had
25:43before he killed me in my past life.
25:44Have your guys keep an eye on him.
25:46He's about to go completely insane.
25:48Don't worry.
25:49This time around,
25:51I'm not letting anyone hurt you.
25:55When I received the video
25:56from my private investigator,
25:58I was standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows
26:00holding a glass of red wine.
26:02The video showed an abandoned,
26:04rotting pier on the outskirts of Brooklyn.
26:06Cassian was drenched in rain,
26:08his eyes bloodshot.
26:09He had pawned his last pistol
26:11to hire a shady van,
26:12kidnapping both Julia and Jax.
26:14Fierce winds whipped the freezing ocean water
26:16against the rocks.
26:17Julia's hands and feet
26:18were bound with thick rope.
26:20Her face was twisted in sheer horror.
26:22Cassian!
26:23Cassian, I'm sorry!
26:25I really am!
26:27Please don't kill me!
26:29Let's start over, okay?
26:31I don't want any jewelry or money anymore!
26:35I only love you!
26:36I am so cold!
26:38My head hurts so much, Cassian!
26:41I have a fever!
26:43You used to care about me!
26:44She was using her usual pathetic act.
26:47In my past life,
26:48it was a sentence just like that,
26:50which drove Cassian mad with guilt,
26:52making him throw me into the freezing,
26:54pitch, black river.
26:55This time, she got to taste the water herself.
26:57Faced with her begging,
26:59Cassian showed zero mercy.
27:00His face was locked in a mask
27:02of absolute manic hysteria.
27:04A fever?
27:05Perfect!
27:06It is nice and cool at the bottom of the ocean.
27:09Let me send you there right now!
27:11Cassian grabbed Julia by the hair
27:13and dragged her toward the edge of the pier.
27:15Didn't you say I was brainless?
27:17Didn't you say I was nothing?
27:19You bitch!
27:20You ruined my life!
27:22And now you are going to fucking die!
27:25Roaring, he tied a heavy cinder block
27:27tight to her ankles.
27:28Julia let out a scream of pure despair.
27:31Help!
27:32Help me!
27:33While Cassian was busy tying the knot,
27:36Jax, who was tied up nearby,
27:38had somehow managed to scrape through his zip ties.
27:40Pushed to the brink of death,
27:42his survival instinct kicked in.
27:44Jax broke free,
27:45grabbed a rusted piece of rebar from the ground,
27:47and lunged.
27:48He drove it straight into Cassian's back.
27:50Cassian let out a blood-curdling scream.
27:52He convulsed, staring in disbelief
27:54at the iron spike protruding from his stomach.
27:57The agonizing pain twisted his face,
27:59but he didn't fall,
28:01holding his bleeding stomach.
28:02A sickening, eerie grin spread across his face.
28:06If I'm going to hell,
28:08you are all coming with me!
28:11You are all coming with me!
28:13Using the very last ounce of his strength,
28:16he raised his foot and kicked Julia hard off the edge.
28:19Julia let out one final, piercing scream
28:22before plummeting straight into the dark ocean.
28:24The wind howled,
28:25and the waves swallowed her whole,
28:27just like what I experienced in my past life.
28:30Now,
28:30it was returned to them exactly as they deserved.
28:33Drained of life,
28:34Cassian collapsed into a pool of his own blood.
28:36Coughing up bloody foam,
28:38he laughed maniacally at the sky.
28:40On my end of the screen,
28:41I calmly pressed pause.
28:42That lingering, suffocating chill.
28:44The trauma that had clung to my soul like a parasite
28:47since my rebirth finally dissipated into thin air.
28:49I made a phone call,
28:50my voice perfectly level.
28:52You can call the cops now.
28:53Tell them you spotted a wanted mafia fugitive with heavy deaths.
28:59The police quickly arrived at the pier.
29:02By then,
29:03Cassian was already half conscious from blood loss.
29:05Jax,
29:06who had tried to hide in a shipping container,
29:08was dragged out in handcuffs like a dead dog.
29:10Three months later,
29:11the court delivered the final verdicts.
29:13Jax was convicted on multiple charges,
29:16and sentenced to 20 years in a maximum security prison.
29:19Rumor had it that during his very first month,
29:21he was recognized by some thugs he had crossed on the outside,
29:24including the bookies he still owed money to.
29:26In a blind spot away from the security cameras,
29:29Jax's spine was accidentally snapped.
29:32For the rest of his miserable life,
29:34he would be paralyzed in a prison hospital bed,
29:36begging for death.
29:38Cassian,
29:39convicted of first degree murder,
29:41was sentenced to death without delay.
29:43In his final days on death row,
29:44due to a severe infection from his wound,
29:46he ran constant high fevers,
29:48leaving him delirious.
29:49In his endless suffering,
29:51he started having frequent hallucinations.
29:53In his delusions,
29:54he saw Valerie storm the yacht,
29:56with a crew,
29:57dragging him back to the hospital.
29:59He saw himself pushing open the hospital doors,
30:01hearing the lawyer announce his name,
30:03as he slipped on the black Onyx ring,
30:05and became the all-powerful Dawn.
30:07In his dream,
30:08he was dressed in a sharp suit,
30:10sitting in the highest office of the Russo family empire.
30:13It was a glorious,
30:14dazzling future that belonged entirely to him.
30:17Cassian laughed out loud in his sleep.
30:19I am the Dawn.
30:20I am the Godfather.
30:22The violent slamming of the iron cell door,
30:24ripped him out of his beautiful,
30:26decadent dream,
30:27and dragged him back to reality.
30:29Cassian's eyes snapped open.
30:30There was no manor.
30:32There was no mafia empire.
30:33There was only a dark,
30:34damp death row cell that reeked of urine.
30:37He was wearing a rough prison uniform,
30:39heavy death row shackles binding his wrists.
30:41With every movement,
30:42the chains rattled with a terrifying metallic echo.
30:45The guard walked in deadpan,
30:47tossing a death warrant onto his cot.
30:49No.
30:50No, this isn't real.
30:51I was just signing contracts.
30:52I am the Dawn.
30:54Let me out!
30:54The psychological whiplash,
30:56plummeting from the throne,
30:57straight into hell,
30:58shattered Cassian completely.
31:00That extreme agony of having it all,
31:02and losing it,
31:03sliced his soul to ribbons,
31:04cut by cut.
31:05But soon,
31:06a lethal injection silenced him forever.
31:09Meanwhile,
31:09on the other side of the city,
31:11a gray-haired woman,
31:12reeking of decay,
31:13rummaged through a dumpster.
31:14It was Carmela.
31:18The day she found out her son was sentenced to death,
31:21the shock caused a massive stroke,
31:23leaving her permanently paralyzed on one side.
31:26Mateo threw her out without a second thought,
31:28and her former cronies avoided her like the plague.
31:31Now, dragging her half-dead body around,
31:33she survived by begging on the streets of New York.
31:36Above her,
31:37the massive screens in Times Square
31:39broadcasted the financial news.
31:41On screen Mateo,
31:42wearing an impeccable suit
31:43and surrounded by politicians,
31:45confidently announced the launch
31:47of a new multi-billion dollar syndicate.
31:49That was supposed to be her son.
31:51That was supposed to be her glory.
31:52A freezing gust of wind blew past,
31:55scattering her bitter,
31:56incoherent curses
31:57into the dark corners of the city.
31:59Inside a luxurious penthouse in Manhattan,
32:02Mateo and I sat across from each other
32:04by the floor-to-ceiling windows.
32:05On the table rested two neatly stacked documents.
32:08One was my finalized divorce decree.
32:10The other was a contract
32:11granting me a 20% dividend in the new syndicate.
32:14This was the deal Mateo and I made in the hospital that day.
32:17I fed him the intel and stalled Cassian.
32:20In return, he gave me immense wealth
32:22and cleared every hurdle for my divorce.
32:24A pleasure doingsness with you, Valerie.
32:27Mateo raised his whiskey glass
32:28with a slight knowing smile.
32:30I stood up and walked to the glass,
32:32looking down at the glittering city below.
32:34In the distance, a brilliant firework
32:36bloomed across the skyline.
32:38I raised my glass,
32:39gently clinking it against his,
32:41listening to the crisp sound of ice hitting the crystal.
32:44I looked at the gorgeous night view and replied softly,
32:47Cheers to our new lives.
32:51When I took that bullet for Mateo,
32:53I only had one thought.
32:54I wasn't about to let my percentage go up in smoke.
32:57The shooter was one of Cassian's old loyalists,
32:59a desperate ghost who lost everything
33:01when Mateo took the throne,
33:03looking for payback.
33:04The bullet tore through my shoulder blade.
33:06The pain nearly blacked me out.
33:08Mateo's hands pressed hard against my wound,
33:10hot as branding irons.
33:11He growled something in my ear,
33:13but I didn't catch a word.
33:14I just felt his pounding heart against my chest.
33:17Three days later, I opened my eyes.
33:19Mateo was sitting right by the bed,
33:21wrinkled suit,
33:22dark stubble coating his jaw,
33:24seeing me awake.
33:25His dark eyes immediately lit up.
33:27He leaned in close to my side.
33:29You're awake.
33:30Don't get emotional.
33:32I couldn't let my cash cow die.
33:35He grabbed my hand.
33:36His fingers clamped down so hard,
33:38it almost hurt,
33:39like he was holding onto something
33:40he'd nearly lost forever.
33:42Valerie,
33:43I have a new proposition.
33:48Marry me.
33:49His voice was low.
33:50I froze.
33:50What?
33:51I couldn't entirely read.
33:52My brother is dead.
33:54And the old Capris won't stay quiet.
33:57You were a Russo wife for three years.
33:59You know their secrets better than anyone.
34:01I need you.
34:02He paused, then continued.
34:04And the real books?
34:05Family only.
34:06I make you my wife,
34:08you get the keys.
34:09It's the only way in.
34:10I stared at him.
34:11My pulse jumped.
34:12He needed me to secure his empire.
34:14Or so he said.
34:15He had plenty of enemies.
34:16Yes, but this.
34:17This wasn't just about the family anymore.
34:20A two-year contract.
34:22You'll be the real Donna.
34:2350% cut.
34:25When time is up,
34:26you walk away free.
34:27Cassian gave me nothing
34:28but three years of humiliation
34:30and betrayal.
34:31And this man,
34:32he was handing me a clean exit
34:34and half a mafia empire
34:35on a silver platter.
34:37What's the catch?
34:42Be my wife.
34:43A real wife, Valerie.
34:45Not a trophy like you were for Cassian.
34:48Which means?
34:50It means you move into my room.
34:51You sleep in my bed.
34:53You act like a loving wife
34:54in front of everyone.
34:55The air suddenly felt scorching.
34:57Mateo pulled a folded document
34:58from his inside jacket pocket.
35:00Termination clause
35:01is on the last page.
35:03I flipped to the back.
35:04My eyes caught on the words.
35:05Mateo's restrictions
35:06were packed into 12 bullet points.
35:08No coercion.
35:09Unrestricted movement.
35:10Absolute privacy.
35:12Separate finances.
35:13But my termination clause,
35:14just one line,
35:15triggered unilaterally.
35:17Effective immediately.
35:18Why?
35:19Because you're worth it.
35:21Three years.
35:22Nobody had ever said that to me.
35:27I didn't hesitate.
35:28My fingers shook slightly
35:29from the painkillers,
35:30but I signed my name.
35:31Mateo took the contract.
35:33He looked at my signature
35:33for a long second.
35:36Valerie,
35:36I promise you one thing.
35:38Nobody hurts you
35:39ever again.
35:41The door clicked shut.
35:42Then,
35:42my phone buzzed
35:43on the bedside tray.
35:44A single text message
35:45from Mateo.
35:47Pleasure doing business,
35:49Donna.
35:55For three days
35:56before the wedding,
35:57my room overflowed
35:58with luxury boxes.
35:59Mateo's men
36:00practically bought out
36:01half of Manhattan.
36:02Day one,
36:03five tailors
36:03showed up
36:04with four lookbooks.
36:05They measured
36:06around my shoulders
36:07like I was made of glass.
36:09Mr. Russo insisted
36:10all necklines
36:11must avoid
36:12your left shoulder.
36:13The gunshot wound
36:14was still healing,
36:15he remembered.
36:16Day two.
36:16Jewelers brought in
36:17trays of diamonds.
36:18I pointed at the cheapest,
36:20plainest white gold band.
36:21This one.
36:22The jeweler paled.
36:23He scurried to a corner
36:24and whispered into his phone.
36:26The Donna
36:26chose an entry-level piece.
36:28By evening,
36:29that plain band was gone.
36:31In its place
36:32sat a massive
36:33emerald-cut diamond ring,
36:34Vesim engraved
36:35on the inside.
36:36It easily cost
36:37a hundred times more
36:38than the band I picked.
36:40Day three,
36:41maids stumbled
36:41in carrying
36:42the entire spring collection
36:43in champagne silk.
36:45What is all this?
36:46Mr. Russo said
36:47this is just pocket money.
36:49There are twelve
36:49more bags downstairs.
36:51I leaned against
36:52the vanity,
36:52staring at the sea
36:53of velvet boxes.
36:55Unbidden,
36:55a memory surfaced.
36:56The night before
36:57I married Cassian.
36:58I was stuck
36:59in a cheap motel room,
37:00ironing my own
37:01wrinkled wedding dress.
37:02Cassian had been
37:03forty minutes late.
37:04He was busy
37:05helping Julia
37:06pick out a gift.
37:06A bitter ache
37:07twisted in my chest,
37:09followed by a cold,
37:10hard sense of closure.
37:11I finally saw
37:12how pathetic I had been,
37:13how little I had settled for.
37:17The wedding took place
37:18at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
37:20I looped my arm
37:21through Mateo's
37:22as we walked down the aisle.
37:23The pews were packed
37:24with capos and rivals.
37:25Their stares sliced
37:26at me like blades.
37:27Chin up.
37:28Look straight ahead.
37:30His large,
37:30warm hand covered mine.
37:32Just like that,
37:33the suffocating hostility
37:34in the room
37:34vanished.
37:35The pipe organ
37:36roared to life.
37:37The priest read the vows,
37:39but it was all white noise.
37:40I only felt Mateo
37:41sliding that heavy
37:42emerald ring
37:43down my finger.
37:44You may kiss the bride.
37:46Mateo's hand
37:47cupped my jaw.
37:49The kiss was brief,
37:50a mere brush of lips.
37:52Late that night,
37:53I sat on the edge
37:54of our massive bed.
37:55The ring felt heavy,
37:56branding my skin.
37:57The shower ran
37:58in the master bathroom.
37:59I stared at the green stone,
38:01flashing back
38:02to my first wedding night.
38:03I had spent it alone,
38:04staring at the ceiling
38:05until dawn.
38:06Cassian had spent
38:07the whole night with Julia.
38:08The water shut off.
38:09Mateo stepped out.
38:10His dark hair was damp,
38:11sticking to his forehead.
38:12He wore a loose black robe.
38:14He walked straight
38:14to the window,
38:15his sharp eyes
38:16scanning the street below.
38:17A black SUV
38:18idled in the shadows
38:19across the street.
38:20Mateo turned back to me.
38:21A lazy, dangerous smirk
38:23played on his lips.
38:24Looks like we're sharing
38:25a bed tonight, wife.
38:33That night,
38:34I lay in his massive bed,
38:36completely tense.
38:37The bed was too big.
38:38It smelled just like him,
38:39making my heart hammer
38:40against my ribs.
38:41I waited for the nightmares.
38:43I waited for the feeling
38:44of freezing water
38:45under the Brooklyn Bridge.
38:46But at 3 a.m.,
38:47my eyes snapped open.
38:48I realized I had slept soundly
38:50for 5 straight hours.
38:51The first time
38:52since I came back to life.
38:54I cracked the door open.
38:55Mateo was sitting
38:56on the living room couch.
38:57He was standing guard.
38:59My heart raced.
39:00A strange heat
39:01bloomed in my chest.
39:03At the board dinner
39:04three days later,
39:05old capo Ricci
39:06sneered at me.
39:07Everyone caught it.
39:09Collecting quite
39:09the consultation fee,
39:11aren't we, Don's wife?
39:12Consultation fee
39:13was old school mob slang.
39:14It meant skimmed money.
39:16Mateo sat at the head
39:17of the table.
39:17His whiskey glass paused
39:18in midair.
39:19He didn't say a single word.
39:20He was giving me the floor.
39:21I put down my silverware
39:23and calmly dabbed my mouth.
39:24You're right, Mr. Ricci.
39:26Consultation fees
39:26are a beautiful thing.
39:28Take the $170,000
39:30you collected last month,
39:31for example.
39:32Wired to your mistress
39:33Cayman Islands account
39:34in three separate installments.
39:35First wire, $58,000.
39:37Transferred at 2.03 a.m.
39:39on the 5th.
39:40Second wire, $62,000.
39:424.17 p.m.
39:43on the 12th.
39:44Want me to recite
39:44the exact time
39:45and amount for the 3rd?
39:47The room was completely silent.
39:52I picked up my knife
39:53and casually sliced my steak.
39:55Relax.
39:56I don't care about
39:57your private life.
39:58Just stop testing me
39:59with cheap insults
40:01and we can play nice.
40:02The whispers
40:03around the table vanished.
40:05Out of the corner of my eye,
40:06I saw Mateo watching me.
40:08In the car ride back,
40:10Mateo suddenly broke the silence.
40:11You looked beautiful back there.
40:13I turned to him.
40:14What?
40:15When you were tearing him apart.
40:17Beautiful.
40:18A genuine laugh escaped me.
40:19The first time
40:20since I woke up in this body.
40:22Do that more, Valerie.
40:23You should smile more.
40:25That night,
40:26I dreamed of the Brooklyn Bridge again.
40:28Freezing water flooded my lungs.
40:30Julia stood on the bridge,
40:31looking smug
40:32as I sank into the dark.
40:34Help!
40:34I screamed.
40:35I jolted awake,
40:36drenched in cold sweat.
40:38I was gripping something.
40:39Hard.
40:40A large, warm hand.
40:42I turned my head
40:43in the dim moonlight.
40:44Mateo was sitting
40:45on the edge of the mattress.
40:46His voice was a low,
40:48rough rumble.
40:49You're safe.
40:50You're not there anymore.
40:51Who let you in?
40:52I was passing by.
40:53Your room is at the end of the hall.
40:55I said I was passing by.
40:57I slowly loosened
40:58my death grip on his hand.
41:00My breath caught.
41:01Four bloody crescent moons
41:02scarred the back of his hand.
41:03He hadn't made a single sound.
41:05Mateo lay down
41:06on the small sofa.
41:07I'm sleeping here tonight.
41:09Relax.
41:09I'm not interested
41:10in my business partner.
41:12Go to sleep.
41:13I glared at his broad back
41:14for a long time
41:15before finally lying down.
41:16I could hear his steady breathing.
41:18It slowly eased my tense nerves.
41:20A dreamless night.
41:24Seven straight days.
41:25Mateo showed up on my sofa
41:27on the dot every night.
41:28Always with the same book.
41:29Always gone before dawn.
41:31I actually started looking forward
41:32to the sound of his breathing.
41:34But on the ninth morning,
41:35I opened my bedroom door.
41:37The sofa was empty.
41:38No book.
41:39No wrinkled jacket.
41:40Even his cedar scent was gone.
41:41I told myself it was fine.
41:43He had no obligation
41:44to babysit a partner's nightmares.
41:46But during the morning board meeting,
41:48my mind spun.
41:49I mixed up the gun
41:49and drug shipment numbers three times.
41:52The capos across the table
41:53exchanged confused looks.
41:55Mateo glanced at me
41:56from the head of the table
41:57several times,
41:58but stayed quiet.
41:59Late that night,
41:59I dragged my exhausted body home
42:01and pushed my door open.
42:03Mateo was casually stretched out
42:04on the sofa again.
42:06He was a few dozen pages
42:07further into his book.
42:08He acted like last night
42:09hadn't happened.
42:10It's late.
42:11He didn't look up.
42:12You don't have to do this.
42:14Sleeping here every night.
42:15Watching over me.
42:16You have your own bed.
42:18Your own room.
42:20Mateo closed his file
42:22and met my gaze.
42:23You're right.
42:24I don't have to.
42:25But I want to, Valerie.
42:26You want to?
42:27He leaned back.
42:29Call it protecting my investment.
42:31I knew it was an excuse.
42:33You stay sharp during the day.
42:35My money is safe.
42:37But for some reason,
42:38my heart did a wild flip.
42:42I lay in bed,
42:43listening to the soft rustle of pages,
42:45the faint creak of the leather sofa
42:47when he shifted.
42:48At 4 a.m.,
42:48something pulled me out of bed.
42:50Without making a sound,
42:51I walked over
42:52and crouched by the sofa.
42:53Mateo seemed asleep,
42:54but his brows were knit tight
42:55like he was in pain.
42:56Moonlight spilled through the window,
42:58casting soft shadows
42:59on his sharp jawline.
43:01With his eyes closed,
43:02he looked younger.
43:03Thick brows.
43:04Long lashes.
43:05I reached out,
43:06wanting to smooth the crease
43:07between his brows.
43:08The second my fingers
43:09almost brushed his skin,
43:11his eyes snapped open.
43:12His hand shot out
43:13and grabbed my wrist.
43:14Our eyes locked.
43:15We were so close
43:16I could see my own reflection
43:17in his dark pupils.
43:19His voice was gravelly,
43:20laced with a dangerous tease.
43:21Touching costs extra.
43:23My face instantly burned.
43:25You had a smudge
43:26on your forehead?
43:27It was the lamest excuse
43:28I could come up with.
43:29Mateo stared at me
43:30for three agonizing seconds.
43:32Then he slowly released my wrist.
43:34Oh yeah?
43:35His lips twitched up.
43:36Did you wipe it off?
43:38I scrambled to my feet,
43:39my heart hammering.
43:40Yeah, it's gone.
43:41I bolted back to bed
43:42and cocooned myself
43:43in the blanket.
43:43My heartbeat was deafening.
43:45A low, raspy chuckle
43:46came from across the room.
43:47Next time you want to touch,
43:48just touch.
43:49On the house.
43:49I grabbed a pillow
43:50and hurled it at him.
43:55Mateo, is this
43:56the legendary bitch
43:57who got your brother
43:58thrown on death row?
43:59Frankie DeMarco,
44:00a heavy-hitting arms broker,
44:02clamped a Cuban cigar
44:03in his teeth.
44:04Mateo ignored him.
44:05He kept flipping
44:06through the contract.
44:07DeMarco stubbed out his cigar.
44:09Fucks the older brother,
44:10then moves to the younger one.
44:12She must be a freak
44:13in the sheets.
44:14No wonder you married
44:16Cassian's leftovers.
44:18Before he could finish his breath,
44:20Mateo shot up.
44:20He flipped the heavy table
44:22with bare hands,
44:23vials, coffee mugs,
44:23and contracts
44:24smashed into DeMarco.
44:26Before DeMarco
44:27could even process it,
44:28Mateo vaulted
44:29over the wreckage
44:30and grabbed him
44:30by the tie.
44:31The first punch
44:32landed square
44:33on DeMarco's cheekbone.
44:34A loud crack
44:35echoed in the room.
44:36DeMarco screamed
44:37and tried to swing back,
44:38but Mateo's second punch
44:40shattered his nose.
44:41Blood spurted everywhere.
44:42It splattered
44:43across Mateo's
44:44crisp white shirt.
44:45Mateo raised his fist
44:46for a third strike.
44:48The sound of guns
44:48cocking echoed.
44:49Mateo,
44:50ENOUGH!
44:51I shouted,
44:52jumping to my feet.
44:53Mateo's fist
44:54froze in midair.
44:55Slowly,
44:56he released DeMarco's tie,
44:57but he didn't
44:58back down an inch.
44:59Now!
45:00Sign the contract
45:01with the original terms!
45:02DeMarco clutched
45:03his ruined nose.
45:04Blood poured
45:05through his fingers.
45:06Sign it,
45:06or do you want
45:07to taste round three?
45:08Mateo held up
45:09his bloody fist.
45:10Shaking violently,
45:11DeMarco signed.
45:12In the car ride back,
45:14I stared at the red stains
45:15on Mateo's shirt.
45:16You shouldn't have been
45:17so reckless.
45:18It's just words,
45:19Mateo.
45:20Pull over!
45:22Mateo snapped at the driver.
45:23The SUV screeched
45:24to a halt.
45:25The privacy partition
45:26rolled up.
45:27Mateo turned to me.
45:28One large hand gripped
45:29the back of my neck.
45:30The other grabbed my chin.
45:31Then,
45:31his mouth crashed
45:32down on mine.
45:33My mind went
45:34completely blank.
45:35All I felt was his heat
45:36and his ragged breath.
45:37When he finally pulled away,
45:39we were both panting heavily.
45:42Nothing in the contract
45:43says I can't kiss you.
45:44His thumb roughly brushed
45:45my swollen lips.
45:46Anyone ever talks to you
45:47like that again,
45:47I'll kill them.
45:48I opened my mouth
45:49to speak,
45:50but no words came out.
45:51Right then,
45:52Mateo's phone rang,
45:53shattering the heavy silence.
45:55Mateo,
45:55I'm back.
45:56I heard you got married.
45:57Mateo,
45:58I heard you got married.
45:58I'm away.
45:58Mateo,
45:58I hear you got married.
45:58been married.
46:00I hear you got married.
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