Twenty Nine.

His hand moves from my jawline to the base of my throat as he kisses my feverish skin along my neck.

I moan, my eyes pressing tight as a shiver runs through my body. I know I should pull back and put an end to this little exploration of curiosity between us. But, his touch ignites my body, and I savour the sensations running through me for a little bit longer.

"What are you doing to me, Miss Cross?"

Another shiver slides through me at the way he says my name with an authoritative bite heavily masked by his accent.

On the inside of his jacket, I slide my hands up his torso and feel the hard planes of his powerful chest. "Mr Burak.." I moan.

"Evet (yes), Miss Cross?" He answers hoarsely, his lips moving up my neck and across my jawline. "One touch is all I need, askim (my love)."

My eyes spring open and I push him off me.

Those words...

I remember those exact words being used against me over a year ago.

I stare at him with disbelief.

He can't be...

No, it's too much of a coincidence and Castello would never put me in this position!!

I touch my swollen lips with my fingertips and with a shaky breath I ask, "Do you know the little bar on the corner of Parnell?" I gulp as I wait for him to reply.

"Evet (yes), I meet up with a friend every second Friday." He regards me through hooded eyes.

Dread washes over me.

It's him!

Those eyes. His accent.. and Gods, his exotic scent that has the power to drive me completely wild.

No, Castello wouldn't do this to us, he wouldn't!!

My inner Goddess lashes out.

Fear and panic hit me all at once as I realise my mission is to destroy Sandros biological father. A man with no face up until now.

The car begins to slow, and I peek across Aydem to see that we are approaching a set of stoplights. I unlock my door and exit the car when the car comes to a complete stop. I rush across the busy road, attempting to avoid being knocked over, and when I reach the pavement, I look over my shoulder to see Aydem chasing me through the traffic.

"Miss Cross!" He calls out and people stop to stare.

I start walking as fast as my heels will allow me, ignoring his pleas for me to stop and I turn the corner where a taxi stand is stationed. I quickly get in as I hear him running and he demands me not to get inside the taxi.

"Drive," I yell at the driver as I lock my door.

I quickly ramble off the address to the apartment that I'm staying at.

Aydem bangs on the roof, yelling 'Stop!' as the driver pulls away and merges into the free-flowing traffic.

I retrieve my phone from my bag and send a quick message to Castello.

Mila: We need to talk, asap. Meet me at the apartment.

I shove my phone back into my bag and lean back against my seat, closing my eyes. I pray that I am wrong and Castello hasn't done me dirty.

I open the door to the apartment and I stand aside as Castello walks in.

"È successo qualcosa?" (Did something happen?) He asks me casually as he cocks his hip against the kitchen countertop.

I stand in front of him with trembling hands. "Is Aydem Burak the man I slept with?" I confront him.

He runs his finger along the top of the countertop and holds his finger up, inspecting it.

"How are you meant to convince anybody that you're living here if there is dust all over the countertop?" He replies, ignoring the question I've just asked him.

I exhale, resting my hand over my pounding heart. "Is it customary for somebody to stroll into another person's home and randomly inspect it for dust?" I reply sarcastically, rolling my eyes.

"I don't know, Mila. I dont make it a habit of visiting people."

I study him as he pushes himself off the countertop and walks around the kitchen. He has a bruise on his left cheekbone, a small gash on his lower lip and his knuckles are grazed.

"Trent called me this morning, telling me you told him everything and reminded me that I was still an easy target under your protection."

He comes to a halt and turns his head to look at me. "Si (yes). When everything settled down, we gathered around the table, and I disclosed our arrangement."

"Why is he so obsessed with torturing me?" I desire to know the answer.

"Nobody understands why Trent behaves the way he does. However, I am sure you have realised by now that he suffers from an obsessive addiction, and that day Ace handed you over to him so easily. So, freely. All it took was for you to comply and a sample of how you felt..." He admonishes with a shrug of his shoulders. "You quickly developed into his obsession when he couldn't mentally break you."

I bite my tongue, wanting to confess that he broke me a long time ago but I quickly decide against it.

"Now that you both see eye to eye," I place the snake venom on the countertop in front of me. "I dont want to be tormented with my wildest desires," I state bluntly. "The temptation has been crucial since the day you gifted this to me and I can't help but feel like you were testing me all this time."

He picks up the vial and shakes it between his thumb and index finger. "It was not a test," he responds, carefully standing it up and moves away from it.

"I'm sure the Russians will execute him soon enough." Hope laces my words and I'm pretty sure he notices it when he raises his brows.

"Do you have anything to report?" He walks across the kitchen and stands in front of me.

"I know where Aydem gets his shoes manufactured. I also happen to know that the man who brings his designs to life means a great deal to him as well." I inform him.

"Bravo; you may send me the location's coordinates later. However, what I am truly curious about is why you are not at the company?" He folds his arms across his broad chest as his ocean baby blue eyes stare into mine.

"I was. Until Aydem said something to me and I returned here to invite you over so you can answer the question that has been plaguing me ever since."

"Which is?"

"Is Aydem Burak the biological father of my son?" My voice quivers and my body trembles as I anxiously await his answer.

"Si, your son is the legitimate heir to the man whose life you are being compelled to destroy." I gasp.

Tears pool in my eyes. "Why?"

"Why?" He growls as his hands grab me by my upper arms. "Because you went ahead and filled your womb with a child that shares a bloodline with the Turkish mafia. The Ozturk family to be more precise." His fingers dig deeper into my flesh. "You brought this upon yourself and as long as you continue to carry out the mission, your precious Sandro won't be harmed." He releases me by shoving me to the side and I fall to the ground with a thud.

He strides towards the front door and I pull myself up. "I'll do whatever you want me to. Just please dont hurt my baby!!"

He opens the front door and glances at me over his shoulder. "Oh, ci conto." (Oh, I'm counting on it.) He slams the door shut behind him.

I rush after him and as I open the door Aydem is standing on the other side glaring after Castello.

"Aydem," I whisper in total disbelief. "Ho..how did you find me?" Panic overcomes me yet again as I begin to wonder if he overheard any of our conversation through the thin wooden door separating us.