~~~~~

The Rig as we called it was less like what I thought it’d be and more like a metal spire surrounded by an island full of newly made farmland. Tiny cobblestone houses dotted the landscape, looking less cultish than Nico made it sound, and more welcoming. A ruse for the perfect life to people looking to get away from the technology the world came to depend on. Was lust and power his only motivation?

True power came from knowledge, not the number of physical resources one had. That was the first thing I learned as the upcoming Donna of the Accardi. Perhaps that was why I was his target. I held the key to knowledge from all over the world. I glanced over my shoulder at Nico, who’d been oddly quiet through this entire ordeal. We’d gone straight from Avaritia’s suite to the docks to meet a ferry, then out to the rig, hoping for the element of surprise.

“You may wonder why I’m going along with this, even though I know it means the end of Arnie.” Avaritia’s bored tone interrupted my thoughts, drawing my gaze to where she sat, picking at her nails. “Us older members feel he has strayed from his path and grown selfish over the years. We want out, and we think your husband plans to help with that.”

“What do you know about him?” I ventured, grabbing for my magnum again with narrowed eyes. “You may want to be careful how you answer.”

“Enough to know you’re a maid and he’s the Don of a Mafia Family. Trust me when I say, we’re on the same team.” When my form didn’t waver, a broad grin lifted the corners of her lips. “Short of trust? You could say Nicolo and I have a history. Nothing to concern yourself over, Mrs. Romano.”

When I turned to look at him, he looked away, brows furrowed in irritation. Perhaps that explained why he knew so much about Vespus. Since her identity as Avaritia was a secret, I had no idea that she was the international company heiress, Maria Trinidan. A woman Nicolo dated in the past. She shared her identity with him, yet here they were. There was a notable awkwardness as the ship docked, and she turned towards the island.

“I wasn’t mysterious enough.” She shrugged as she walked away with a wave. “Good luck keeping his interest!”

No wonder he had been silent since we first met up with her. I expected him to tire of me eventually, so her warning was unnecessary. We had a job to do here, so discussing feelings at this point was a waste of time. I pulled my magnum out to confirm ammo count, then tucked it back into place out of habit, then checked my next weapon. This was a ‘search to end’ mission, meaning our target would be leaving in a body bag.

“What happened with Maria is different…”

“What have I said before, Nico? The past doesn’t matter.” We had to focus, yet here I stood, slightly annoyed. “The status of this mission has changed. Arnie Vespus must ‘disappear’ immediately.”

The truth was, Avaritia story was a little too close to home to ignore. Once he learned all there was to know about me, would he get bored? A feverish hand grabbed my wrist, then a muscular chest pressed against the barrel of my magnum. When I looked up to match his gaze, I froze, unable to help myself at the stern expression on his face. This was perhaps the first time I’d ever felt truly intimidated by him, and the thrill had my heart racing in my chest.

“I’ve known your identity for almost ten months now. I still can’t get enough of you.” Then he leaned over me, his gorgeous green eyes narrowed dangerously. “In this relationship, I’ve learned the true meaning of obsession.” Then he pressed a kiss to my forehead, easing some of the tension in my brow. “No woman – past, present, or future – can hold a candle to you.”

Why were his confirmations all it took to make me feel better? From the time I met him, he’d managed to override every preconceived notion I had about men. So many men I’d seen, in media, mafia, or just in regular people, they had no care for their wives. For once I wondered why. Why did other men treat their wives and lovers so poorly? Then I remembered women could be just as guilty. There was good and bad in everyone.

I recalled several stories of men being abused; one a favored actor of mine whose wife lost him a lot of jobs. She called him an abuser, but anyone with sense could see the truth. I turned to Nico – someone far different than any normal person – and sighed. We couldn’t go into this mission in discord, but he looked more and more unsure every time I glanced at him. Instead of letting it go on, I caught his hand, drawing his emerald gaze.

“I trust you, Nicolo Romano. There is no one else I’d rather have at my side right now.” I stated, lifting on my toes to press a gentle kiss to his lips. “So let’s take care of business, and get out of here. I’d rather be back at the Villa, drowning in you.”

~~~~~

Once we left the ferry, we made for the small wooden huts stationed near the center of the island. Ginyvra was already waiting for us there, in her personal hut, with clothes to help us blend in. Vespus required members to dress according to their status within the group, everyone dressed in jeans with varying shirt colors: brown shirts were farmers, ‘reclaimers’ dressed in blue, and ‘civilians’ dressed in white. The ‘closer’ a member was to Vespus, the more freedom they had to wear and do more of whatever one wanted.

‘Close members’ were the ones with the greatest financial input before they came to live here and they wore gold. Ginny was one of these members, thanks to the Accardi sponsoring her under a different name. I approached the hut, then knocked twice on the door before entering. A man sat cross–legged on the wooden floor, completely undressed. I averted my gaze around the empty room, then focused on the dark red carpet beneath him since there was nothing else in the room.

“I am looking for Lady Densissima.” The cloth flap leading further in lifted, revealing the voluptuous form of my cousin wearing a welcoming smile. “There you are. You didn’t tell me you would have a guest!”

Nico pressed himself against my spine, his palm pressing against my lower stomach, as she walked further into the room. A glance over my shoulder made me sigh. He looked ready to send this guy away in a body bag. I refocused on Ginny, who was staring on in shock. Perhaps it was because I hadn’t pushed Nicolo away, but still. He was irresistible and I didn’t mind the public display. Especially since her friend was making me rather uncomfortable. Now I understood Nicolo’s position. This was weird.

“So I see.” Ginny whispered with a knowing grin before tapping the gentleman on the shoulder. “This is my sister. Reginae, this is my husband Credulus.”

We were using Arnie’s system for naming his cult members. Densissima is Ginny, my name is Reginae, and Nico’s? We picked Zelotypia. Nico loved it until he found out the purpose of the naming system. Arnie picked Ginny’s name meaning ‘thick’ in Latin. Mine means Queen, and Nicolo’s means ‘jealousy.’ The man stood without an ounce of shame, and offered his hand, but when I didn’t look at him, he stepped forward.

“A pleasure.” The man reached for my hand, but Nicolo smacked his palm away, a glare on his face. “This is a polyamorous community, buddy.”

“Actually, that’s her only husband Zelotypia.” Credulus’s eyes widened then he backed away, hands up in pacification. “Will you boys gather some wood for dinner? My sister and I will get dinner started.”

“Did you get what we needed?”

I followed her into the little kitchen as the men filed out in silence, perhaps sensing the coming conversation. I didn’t know she was married here. Through the flap covering the door was a small kitchen, fitted with a firepit for cooking, some shelving with spices, and a small nightstand–like table with a basket of bread sitting on top of it. It truly was the simplest of cooking areas, giving me pause. Was this what the other places looked like? Didn’t seem like paradise to me.

“You were right. I see now why you fell so hard for him.” She said, hanging a cooking pot over the open fire in the center of the room. “That man practically dominates you.” A rush of heat filled me, and I crossed my arms, ready to deny it until she continued. “He just does everything right. Look, I got your stuff ready. You should change and prepare for the meeting tonight.”

~~~~~

“Everyone, I know things look a little troubling right now, but if you continue your support, I can make things right.” A stern voice boomed over the crowd, and everyone fell silent as he appeared on the stage, form stiff as he looked around the crowd. “Everything is going according to plan, so you can return to your homes.”

There was a noticeable, bulging vein in his head, a clear sign of irritation, yet he was acting as if everything were normal. I noticed a few murmurs, people questioning if it were true, but they simply shrugged, and followed his orders. Spread out behind him were five women – all rather young – with their hands clasped behind their back. Each lady had several, well–behaved children standing before them, all dressed in whites and golds.

“He has them believing they’re perfect little angels.” I whispered to Nicolo, who looked closer by squinting his eyes. “Look at the defiant way the kids stand, and how the mothers look exhausted. If I had to guess, they only listen to their father.”

Nicolo wanted kids, but I didn’t. Maybe I would be more willing to negotiate in the future. Right now, I loved being in the field like this, and got a rush from holding my favorite weapon. Having kids would impede that, and I didn’t want to risk taking time off right now. I was still too young to raise any children, anyway. From this distance, the range was horrible. I needed to be at least close enough to confirm target status afterwards. This was one I needed to confirm myself. I needed to make sure he couldn’t hurt my family anymore.

“You mean they’re ‘Traditional Wives?’ I’ve seen couples before, but…”

“No. Not trad wives in the normal sense. They are property. No better than slaves to their husband’s whim.” I alleged, keeping my voice low as to not draw any attention. “Look at each of their faces. If they wanted to be here, to be one of his wives, wouldn’t they look far happier?”

“If you’re any indication, no.” He chuckled, eyes sparkling with mirth, then frowned. “I love you, Liliana.”

I didn’t know what brought on his sudden confession, but my fingertips lingered along the skin of his hand. With a gentle smile, I turned back to the stage where Arnie stood in front of his five wives, heads bowed. No matter how much they cried out for whatever god they worshipped, Arnie Vespus would not see next week. He wouldn’t even see tomorrow morning if I could help it. With Nico’s gaze on my back, we wove through the crowd, my hand in his.

We were in one of the only concrete structures on the island, a building Arnie used for ‘community gatherings,’ according to what Ginny told me. They really were on edge over the missing people, though most didn’t act like it in front of Arnie. I guess they didn’t want to disappoint him. His whole idea of a utopia created from humanity imposing themselves was foolish if it meant death for any who questioned him.

“How many people is that now? Give me a number now! How many is it that have gone missing after searching for the Accardi?” He shouted into his phone, crossing the stage in a rant, so I turned to walk away; to blend in with those leaving. “We’ve sent hundreds, but none of them ever made it back! If I die, you will know it was them! Then you can…” A pause before a stutter followed by more nervous pacing. “What do you mean you can’t do anything?! You’re one of my wealthiest allies, and the strongest member within Vespus! I need someone to make sure these idiots stay put!”

A few of the people nearby froze, so I did too, wanting to see if anyone would confront him. It could give me a chance to get even closer. Some turned to watch, and the women still on stage grabbed their now arguing children and ushered them offstage as if sensing the shift in the atmosphere. His actions caused discord, yet he was acting as if others were to blame. Perhaps Accardi intervention wouldn’t be his undoing.