COLD TRAP

Chapter 52 

MIRABELLA 

Most people say that the past has no effect on the future, but I strongly believe otherwise. The past, present and future are strongly connected to each other. Like the holy trinity. They’re so connected in a way that one cannot thrive without the other, 

It is the events of the past that perfectly creates the present and it is the events of the present that gives life to the future. 

I know this because my past plagues me even until this day. My past is the reason I still live in misery, my past is the reason I’ve made very careless decisions and my past is the reason I’ve become the very depiction of evil. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

My marriage into the Denaro’s family would be considered one of the careless decisions I made in the past even though I was forced into it. 

I’m going to swallow my pride and admit that I don’t know how I managed to stay in a marriage with that good for nothing, selfish, piece of shit for so long. 

I begged that fucker, begged him to make wise decisions, begged him to think it through before going after my father but his ego wouldn’t let 

him listen. 

Because of his useless ego, all my hard work had crumbled five years ago when my father went off the raider. My whole life shatt my own eyes and I’ve had to live with the weight of the guilt of not being able to avenge my mother. 

The very other thing that weighed and still weighs heavy in my heart is the passing of Pablo. It was my fault, if I had left when he asked me to, If I had been a good listener, then he wouldn’t have had to take the hit in my place. 

I always thought that the events of that day were a fragment of my subconscious. I always believed that it never happened. I had successfully convinced myself that Pablo was never shot, he never bled out, his eyes never closed and he never turned ice cold until a week ago at the 

charity event. 

I searched for him, my Pablo, my brother but only found Dean, Maxwell and Alessio. He was nowhere to be seen but his murderer was seated there, his eyes boring into mine like the psychotic maniac he is. Realization that Pablo really died protecting me had hit me so hard that i cried throughout the drive back home. 

I will not deny that Matteo still looked good, aging very beautifully and his eyes on mine stirred up emotions that I had buried. Emotions that shouldn’t have a place in this world. 

If it wasn’t for Mark, then I wouldn’t have had to attend that stupid charity ball. And now, all I can think about is Matteo. The surprise in his eyes when he saw me, the way his eyes pleaded that I forgave him, the uncertainty his hazel orbs held and the disgust I saw in them when 

Mark kissed me. 

Those are the only thoughts I’ve had for a week and I loathe it. 

I shouldn’t be feeling this way, I don’t want to feel this soft for him, I don’t want the butterflies nor do I want to be weak. 

Not anymore. 

Not him. 

I’ve had five years to recover from the physical, emotional and mental torture he had put me through and be a fool to let him have that much power over me the second time in one lifetime. 

Speaking of power, I now hold it, I worked hard for it, earned it and now f’im power in itself. A force to reckon with in the underworld and even in the real world. Ares and I worked our way up and now, our organization happens to hold the most power after the Malia. 

12:24 Sat, 22 Jun 

We had set up our headquarters in Rome five years ago, made eighty percent of our business legal but the twenty percent that remained illegal became so deep rooted that its claws still remains strong in the underworld. 

It’s been my life for five years now. I’m a boss, a scientist, a friend, a sister and a 

Ares screams into my comm. “Snap out of that daze Mirabellal Have they arrived?!” I scoff, rolling my eyes. 

“No boss.” exhale tiredly through my mouth whilst waiting for Matteo, his sister and mother to arrive at the airstrip where they’ll be boarding the private jet back to Sicily. 

They had arrived in Rome three days ago without security and word got out seeing that they have enemies scattered all around. 

And from w 

what I’ve heard, an attack is to be launched on them during their departure; an attack I very well know was orchestrated by my father who suddenly resurfaced a year ago after going on a hiatus. 

That old fool doesn’t know when to give it a rest but I’m ecstatic because the universe has given me another opportunity to exert my revenge 

on him. 

Back to Matteo. I’m here not because I care about him, but because I care for his mother and sister and of course I care for the promise I made to his father. I promised to be by Matteo’s side and if I have what it takes to protect him, that i will surely do 

However, there’s a more deep rooted reason as to why I’ve been obsessed with the need to keep my husband safe.. 

“Your cue Ares, they’re here.” I turn on the ignition of my car and the engine roars to life as I spend off. “They’re launching in three, two, 

one. 

Ares grunts. “Fockers. About time we got this party started.” 

Gripping the steering wheel tightly, I press my foot down on the accelerator, speeding through the airstrip with my tires screeching and mapping up traces across the floor. 

With one last swerve, I bring my car to a halt in front of Matteo, shielding him from the bullets coming his way. Why did this man come all the way to Rome without any security? Has he really become so careless? Or did he suddenly forget his status in society? 

A Don, The Godfather of italy and a man feared by all walking around the streets of Rome with no security? Wow, things must’ve really changed since I left. 

“Stop glaring at me and get in,” I hiss at him, immediately shooting mother and Julia a warm smile. The both of them hurriedly get into the backseat, crouching down whilst they tremble with fear. 

Then there’s my husband whose ego wouldn’t allow make wise choices. 

“Matteol This car is customized and I swear to God if it gets ruined because of your stubborness, I’ll fucking gut you. Get in or I’m leaving with Julia and mama!” I holler and he uninterestedly swings the car door open, taking his time before getting in. 

Isn’t he scared of dying? 

Why did it seem as though he wanted to be killed? 

1 shake the thoughts off, pressing 

foot down on the accelerator. 

Pulling out a gun, I throw it on Matteo’s lap without sparing him a glance. “Take the lucking gun and shoot back at them for Christ’s sake Matteo! You can kill me later, when we’ve successfully made it out of here.” 

Matteo’s eyes burning holes through my skin doesn’t bother me as I continue driving my car through the air strip like a maniac on the loose. 

78% 

I’m unafraid of these men raining bullets on my car because I have a shit ton of my men taking care of them and making sure that not a sing scratch touches my skin… 

I hear Ares and Zara grunting through the comm, causing me to mumble incoherent words under my breath at their stubbornness. “You both don’t listen, do you? You have guns, use them!” 

Ares chuckles through his groan, “is the big bad boss worried about her subjects? Tell me something Mirabella, do you have a bullet vest on!” 

“No. I’m in my car which is bulletproof by the way and I have no reason to put on a vest.” I seethe. 

“You have me, Zara, the company and-” 

“Ares!” I warn. 

He gasps loudly, “I’m sorry Mira, I forgot. Don’t worry about me sweetheart, I have it under control.” 

I nod my head frantically even when I know he’s unable to see me. “I’m out of the airstrip Ares, make sure to be at the first drop off before 1 get there or I’ll come back out to get you myself and you know what that means.” 

He let out a scoff. “Affirmative boss!” 

Without looking back or caring about the speed limit, I step on my accelerator, my car engine roaring through the quiet road as.. way to the outskirts of the city where the journey to my safe house will commence from. 

Matteo clears his throat, “where are you-” 

“Don’t talk to me Matteo,” I cut him off. 

Une 

Matteo uninterestedly stands by a comer whilst we all put on our helmets, mounting the motorbikes that’d take us to the sale house. My eyes are filled with rage when I glare at him with raised brows. He shrugs his shoulders boringly. 

“I’m not going anywhere if you won’t tell me exactly why I’m here.” He asserts, his deep voice causing me to press my thighs together at the tingling sensation that settles between my legs. 

“Stay here then.” I counter, tuming the engine on. I’m about to speed off when his mother sternly instructs him to get on the bike and he obeys like a good fucking son I know he isn’t and will never be. 

We all speed off through the narrow road. Ares and Matteo’s mother riding on one bike, Zara and Julia on another whilst Matteo and I ride together. 

He wraps his arms around me, his hard chest pressing against my back so casually and the side of his face touching the skin of my neck. It’s distracting, making me feel things I shouldn’t be feeling for a man like him. 

I attempt screaming at him but my words get caught up in my throat, causing him to chuckle at the realization that his actions still impacts me greatly. He mocks me for being so weak for him and I loathe him for that. I loathe him for having this much effect on me but I loathe myself more for allowing it. 

A few hours later and we finally arrive my sale house. I call it a safe house but the truth is that I love it here. It’s serene, quiet, calming to the soul and extremely huge. 

I love staying here with my family because it brings us together, helps us bond with each other without having to worry about the hustle and 

bustle of the city 

I’m still grateful towards Ares for convincing me to acquire the property. He’s such a genius but I’ll never tell him that 

Walking into the living room, I go to give out my instructions to the helps but halt when I hear them. My angels, my saving grace, the lights in 

my life, my miracles, my double blessing, the only good things that have ever happened for me. 

I smile, watching as 

they run t 

run towards me with great happiness. 

“Mamal” My daughter screams excitedly, running towards me with her wide grin, 

And there goes her competition. “Mama” My son pushes his sister out of the way, making sure to reach me first and I giggle, crouching down 

to embrace them. Ares immediately stands beside me, making sure his huge body shields my children from…shit 

How didn’t I think about this? 

My brows furrow at their nanny who got clear instructions not to bring them down to this part of the mansion seeing that we’ll be expecting visitors. The girl never listens to instructions especially when it comes down to my kids, 

She shrugs her shoulders reluctantly, pointing at the kids and mouthing they wouldn’t listen to me! 

“Marianal Mariano! My angels…how have you been? Did you n 

miss mama?” I ruffle their hair and they giggle. 

I can feel it. That heated stare burning through my skin, that confused stare, that narrowed eyes and furrowed brows. I can feel it without 

even looking back at him. 

“Take them into their rooms and make sure they don’t-“I don’t get to finish when my daughter peeks her head through 

Matteo gasps when his eyes are met with the very spitting image of him. Mariana’s features are unbelievably similar to Matteo’s and the only thing she didn’t get from him are her eyes. 

Just like her brother Mariano, they both inherited one eye color each from me and their father. 

Mariana has two different irises, one hazel iris just like her father’s and one emerald green just like mine whilst Mariano has one hazel insand 

one ocean blue Iris that appears dead cold like ice. 

Their hair as dark as the midnight and wavy with their noses spotting very beautiful freckles. Perfection is the right word to describe my kids 

1. by. 

“Who’re those people mama?” Mariana asks and I can see the tears welling up in Matteo’s mother’s eyes. She doesn’t need to be told to know that these are her grandchildren… 

“Maria please go upstairs with your brother, we’ll introduce you later, during dinner, hmm? Is that okay baby?” She hesitates, her eyes locked 

on Matteo’s in a staring battle. 

“Go upstairs Maria or there’ll be no pizza for you tonight.” Her eyes widen and she jumps into Ares’s arms, forcing him to carry her upstairs. like the princess she is 

I chuckle. 

Did I forget to mention that her personalit