The Mafia's Obsession: A Dangerous Love

vulnerability he had shown her in the quiet hours of the night, all warred with the stark reality of his world and her mission. She knew, deep down, tha

, to get some perspective, but she couldn't risk contacting her handler directly. The Golden Dragon

e one who had tipped her off about Matteo's presence at the Golde

coffee shop the following afternoon. It was a neutral ground, far from Matte

on edge. She scanned the room, searching for Rico. He was a man who b

ss from her with a quiet efficiency. He was dressed in his usual attire:

he asked, his voic

" she said, her voice ur

her, the information she had gleaned about his operations. She told him a

readable. When she finished, he remained

haven't you?" he asked

ble to meet his gaze. "It'

know the rules. No atta

ice filled with despair. "

"But you have to choose, Liz.

choose," she said, her

teo Montello is a dangerous man. H

voice barely a whisper. "But..

Elizabeth for years, had seen her face danger countless times

ed from me?" he

regaining its strength. "I need to know if

what I can find," he sa

beth replied. "

izabeth's breath catch in her throat. It was a substantial

" she said, he

t come cheap," Rico replied.

he had come too far to back down now. She

e said. "You'

She had made her choice. She had chosen her mission. But the price of that choice, she knew, would be steep. She had betrayed Matt

an she had come to care for, a man who had shown her a glimpse of a life she craved. But she was an operative, and

owerful man, a man who commanded respect and demanded loyalty. She

the information she needed. She tried to focus on her mission, to plan her next move, but her thoughts

mation she wanted, but that it was dangerous, that Matteo

he was walking into a trap, but she had no choice.

s of the city. It was a deserted area, far from prying eyes,

ime, her senses on high alert. She knew that Matteo cou

inside the warehouse, his face

voice trembling slightly. "But it's not

need is on here," he said. "But be careful, Liz.

eth asked, he

Rico replied. "He h

e was in danger, but she had to get the informat

" she said. "You'

said, his voice filled with

But as she reached the door, she heard a sound

he click

ere, his face a mask of fury. He held a gun i

"You thought you could betray me, Isabella

er chest. She knew she was tra

hoice," she said, her v

"You chose to betray me. You chose to lie to

with hers. Elizabeth closed her eyes

shot nev

d behind her, a sound tha

e sound o

ling with one of Matteo's me

outnumbered. Matteo's men quickly over

on. When it was over, he turned back to Elizabeth, his

said, his voice low and serious. "You sho

had made a mistake, a terrible mistake. She had trusted her instincts,

ispered, her voice

apologies," he said. "You've made your c

ake her," he said. "And ma

ife was in danger. But even in her fear, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. She had lost Matteo's trust, and