I thought about how I could make things right between Keaton and me. For a moment I thought maybe our relationship was worth saving. It’s been five years since we got married. At the beginning, everything was wonderful. Keaton was warm, caring, and attentive. But now, he had become distant, cold, and stoic, all because of her—Lacey. I don’t know much about Lacey, except that she used to be a C-class model, someone who was barely known. But somehow, she’s managed to turn my marriage upside down.

“Lacey wasn’t even that famous,” I muttered to myself, gripping the steering wheel as I waited outside Keaton’s company building. “How did she manage to get her claws into him?”

It was like she came into our lives out of nowhere, like a storm that refused to calm. I had noticed Keaton’s change from the moment she appeared, always hovering around him, whispering things that I couldn’t hear. Whenever she was around, he would be more distracted, less interested in whatever I had to say. I had tried to ignore it at first, thinking maybe it was just a phase. But now, it was clear—Lacey was more than just a friend or an employee to him.

I remember the day I fell in love with Keaton. It was after he saved me from a group of thugs who had tried to rob me. He was like a knight in shining armor, except his armor was a sharp suit, and he was known to be a ruthless Mafia don, hiding under the guise of a reputable CEO and business tycoon. The city of Florida respected and feared him, and that dangerous edge was what drew me to him. I knew who he was, but I still loved him. He had a way of making me feel safe, like nothing could ever harm me. I wanted to be the one who made him feel that way too. But now, everything seemed to be slipping away.

As I waited outside his company, I saw Keaton step out. Relief washed over me, but then I noticed Lacey right beside him, her hand lightly grazing his arm, leaning into his space. She was talking animatedly, her face bright with a smile that he returned. It was as if I was watching them from behind a glass wall, unable to reach through.

I gathered my courage, stepped out of the car, and walked up to him with a smile. “Hey, Keaton,” I said, trying to sound cheerful. “I was hoping we could go home together. My car is having some issues, and it’s been a long day.”

Keaton opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say anything, Lacey cut in. “Keaton, my legs are so sore,” she said, her voice dripping with sweetness. “I’d really appreciate it if you could drop me off. It’s on your way anyway, right?”

I stared at her, stunned, waiting for Keaton to refuse, to tell her that he was going home with his wife. But instead, he nodded. “Of course, Lacey,” he said. “I’ll drop you off.”

“Keaton,” I said, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice. “I really need a ride. My car isn’t working, and it would be nice if—”

“Come on, Lissa,” he interrupted, sounding exasperated. “Just book a ride or get a taxi home. Our house is only ten minutes away. I’ll see you at home.”

He turned away, and I watched as he helped Lacey into his car, the door closing with a finality that made my heart sink. I felt like I had just been dismissed, like I didn’t matter. They drove off, leaving me standing there, feeling more alone than ever.

I checked my purse. I didn’t have enough money to book a ride, and I was too embarrassed to call anyone for help. I decided to walk home, cutting through the alleys that would take me through a few quiet streets. It wasn’t the safest route, but I just wanted to get home and forget about this evening. As I walked, the streets grew darker, and a strange feeling crept up my spine. I felt like someone was following me.

I glanced back a couple of times, but I couldn’t see anyone. The streets were deserted, but the feeling wouldn’t go away. I picked up my pace, trying to shake off the paranoia, but just as I was about to turn another corner, a hand clamped over my mouth, and a rough bag was shoved over my head. I screamed, but the sound was muffled. I struggled, but my arms were pinned, and I felt myself being dragged away.

It felt like an eternity before the bag was pulled off my head. I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the dim light of a vast, empty room. The walls were bare, and there was a faint smell of dampness in the air. I heard footsteps, and a potbellied man with a greasy smile stepped forward.

“Well, hello there, Mrs. Gebbert,” he said, his voice thick with a foreign accent. “My name’s Viktor. You don’t know me, but I know your husband very well.”

I didn’t recognize him, but there was something about his eyes that sent a chill through me. “What do you want?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“Oh, it’s not about what I want,” he said, chuckling. “It’s about what I need. You see, I have a little vendetta with your dear Keaton. He’s wronged me, and I need to settle the scores. And you, my dear, are the perfect bait.”

I shook my head, tears stinging my eyes. “I won’t call him. I won’t get him involved.”

Viktor’s smile faded, and he leaned closer. “You will, or things might get unpleasant for you, Mrs. Gebbert. Let me explain something—Keaton is not just a businessman. He’s the Don of one of the most powerful Mafia groups in this city. He’s ruthless, and he knows how to handle problems. But even he can’t ignore a call from his wife, especially when her life is on the line.”

My hands trembled as I clutched my phone which he handed to me. I didn’t want to do this. I didn’t want Keaton to be in danger because of me, but Viktor’s cold, unforgiving eyes told me I had no choice. I dialed Keaton’s number, praying he would understand the urgency.

He answered on the second ring. “Lissa, what is it?”

“Keaton,” I whispered, trying to keep my voice steady. “I need you to come here. I’ve been taken… they want to—”

“Lissa, I’m with Lacey right now,” he said, cutting me off. “She’s pretty shaken up, and I need to be here for her.”

I felt like my heart stopped. “Keaton, my life is in danger! I’m telling you—”

He sighed. “Look, I’ll check on you later, okay? I’m sure you can handle whatever’s going on.”

The line went dead. I stared at the phone, disbelief washing over me. My husband, my protector, the man I thought would move heaven and earth for me, had just told me that he was too busy keeping Lacey company to care that I was in danger.

I looked up, my hands shaking, and saw Viktor smirking at me. “Well, well, Mrs. Gebbert,” he said, his voice dripping with mockery. “It seems your beloved husband doesn’t care as much as you thought.”

I felt something break inside me, a searing pain that cut deeper than any wound. Keaton was choosing her over me.

Viktor’s men started closing in, their laughter echoing around the dimly lit room. “Maybe we should teach this one a lesson,” one of them sneered, his grin revealing a row of yellowed teeth. “Make sure Keaton learns not to mess with boss Viktor again.”

Viktor, lounging against the wall with a cigarette dangling from his lips, nodded thoughtfully. “Yeah, sounds good. She’s pretty, but I don’t make out with married women.” He took a drag from the cigarette and exhaled the smoke lazily. “Let’s just give her a little disfiguration. Her face will be perfect.”

A chill ran down my spine, and I shivered with disgust. My heart hammered in my chest, but I clenched my fists, trying not to let them see my fear. “Go ahead, try it,” I taunted, forcing a smirk onto my face. “Keaton’s going to come after you all, and you’ll wish you were never born.” I didn’t believe my own words, but I had to stall, to do anything to make them hesitate.

One of the men stepped closer, his hand twitching as if itching to follow through with Viktor’s order. He reached out, and I instinctively stepped back, my pulse racing. But then, a calm, steady voice broke through the murmur of threats and jeers.

“Touch her, and I’ll break every bone in your body,” the voice said, cold and commanding.