The Mafia’s Third Wife: Between The Devil’s Triangle

Chapter 17 I’m Not Sorry

Raven looked up, her heart pounding in her chest. She wasn’t sure who it could be, but she wasn’t sure she was ready to face anyone else right now.

“Come in,” she said hesitantly.

The door opened, and Raven was surprised to see Dr. Lee – or rather, Alfredo – standing in the doorway. She couldn’t help but feel a rush of fear at the sight of him.

“Hello, Raven,” he said, his voice as smooth as ever. “May I come in?”

Raven hesitated for a moment, not sure what to do. On the one hand, she wanted to keep him as far away from her as possible. But on the other hand, he might have information about her father that she desperately needed.

Finally, she nodded and said, “Yes, please come in.”

Alfredo stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. Raven’s heart was racing as he approached her, but she tried to maintain a calm facade.

“How are you doing?” he asked, his voice full of concern.

“It’s not what it seems,” Alfredo said, his voice uncharacteristically calm. “I know this must be hard for you to understand, but I’m not a bad person. I’m trying to do what’s best for everyone involved.”

“That’s easy for you to say!” Raven retorted, her anger still simmering. “You’re not the one whose father is being held hostage!”

Alfredo sighed and ran a hand through his hair, looking at the floor. When he spoke, his voice was heavy with emotion. “I understand how you must feel, Raven.

“But I need you to trust me,” he continued, looking up to meet her gaze. “I promise you that I’m doing everything I can to keep your father safe. I won’t let anything happen to him.”

“I understand why you feel that way,” Alfredo said, his voice full of understanding. “But I’m not asking you to trust me blindly. I’m asking you to give me a chance to prove that I’m not the man you think I am. Can you do that?”

“I know that,” Alfredo said, his voice solemn. “And I don’t expect you to forgive me. All I ask is that you let me try to make things right. Let me show you that I’m not the monster you think I am.”

Raven stared at him, trying to reconcile the man in front of her with the man she had known as Dr. Lee. “I don’t know if that’s possible,” she said finally. “But I’ll listen.”

“That’s all I can ask for,” Alfredo said. “Thank you.”

“So, what happens now?” Raven asked, still unsure of what to make of this new version of Alfredo.

“First, I want to assure you that your father is safe,” he said. “I won’t tell you where he is, but you have my word that he’s being well taken care of. And I’m doing everything I can to resolve this situation.”

“What about Ramos?” Raven asked. “Will he let my father go?”

“That’s a complicated question,” Alfredo said, his expression turning serious.

“You see, Ramos is not a reasonable man,” Alfredo explained. “He’s not someone who can be reasoned with or bargained with. He’s dangerous and unpredictable, and I’m afraid that if we try to negotiate with him, it could put your father in even more danger.”Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

Raven’s stomach clenched with fear. “So what can we do?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“We need to be strategic,” Alfredo said. “We need to find a way to outsmart Ramos, to get your father to safety without putting him at risk.”

“I know this is all very overwhelming,” Alfredo said, his voice full of compassion. “I know you must be feeling so much fear and uncertainty. But I promise you, I will do everything in my power to make sure that your father is safe. You have my word.”

Raven felt a rush of gratitude at his words. She knew she couldn’t trust him completely, but she also knew that he was her best chance of getting her father back. “Thank you,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “I appreciate your help.”

“But note that it doesn’t change the fact that you lied to me and my father. You knew my father was going to borrow money from Ramos and then you couldn’t stop him.” She said.

“I know,” Alfredo said, his expression grave. “And I’m so sorry for that. I should have done more to protect your father. But please know that I’m not the same man I was then. I’ve changed, and I’m going to make things right.”

“How can I believe that?” Raven asked, her eyes searching his face for any sign of deception.

“You could just be saying that to get me to trust you, and then you could betray me like you did before.”

Alfredo’s expression was earnest and open. “I know you have every reason to doubt me,” he said. “But I hope that my actions over the coming days and weeks will show you that I’m serious about helping you and your father.

I want to make amends for my past mistakes, and I want to do whatever I can to earn your trust.”

Raven felt torn. On the one hand, she wanted to believe him. But on the other hand, she had been burned by him before, and she wasn’t sure if she could put her faith in him again.

–

Meanwhile Ramos had just finished having a nice time with Lana.

“So were planning on marrying that bitch who followed those piece of shit!?” Lana asked her voice sounding jealous.

“There is something about her that intrigues me aside the fact that she is stubborn as hell, but she is brave and determined.” Alfredo.

Lana’s face twisted into a scowl, her green eyes flashing with anger and jealousy. “So you’re saying that you’re attracted to her?” she demanded, her voice rising.

“That you’re interested in someone who would rather see you dead than be your wife?”

“Lana, please,” Ramos said, holding up his hands in a placating gesture.

“I’m not saying that I’m interested in Raven. I’m just saying that I admire her strength and determination. That’s all.”

“And so because of that you wanted to make her your third wife.”

“You’re crazy for questioning me!” Ramos spat.

“I’m sorry Ramos I just feel such a tramp shouldn’t be among us.” she said.

Suddenly, Ramos’s expression darkened. He glared at Lana, his eyes blazing with anger. Without warning, he slapped her hard across the face.

“Don’t ever talk to me like that again!” he snarled. “I don’t appreciate being spoken to in such a disrespectful manner!”

Lana’s hand flew to her cheek, her eyes wide with shock. She couldn’t believe that Ramos had just hit her. She stood there, frozen in place, unsure of what to do next.

Ramos watched as the shock and hurt registered on Lana’s face, but he felt no remorse. He had meant to lash out, to show her that he was in charge and that she was not to speak to him in such a disrespectful manner.

“I’m not sorry,” he said, his voice cold and unyielding. “I don’t tolerate insubordination.”

Lana’s eyes widened even further, and she took a step back, fear and uncertainty flickering across her features. She seemed to be at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond to his harsh words.

“Now get out of my room this instant!” Ramos ordered his voice laced with anger.

Lana got out of the bed and wore her clothes leaving the room. As Ramos watched Lana hurry out of the room, his anger began to give way to a sense of deep unease. Something didn’t add up here.

Why would the Sanchez family attack him on his wedding day, and why would they take Raven? Was it possible that Alfonso had set him up, planning to take advantage of his weakened state to make a move against him?

As these thoughts swirled through his mind, he made a decision. He would find out what was going on, and he would make those responsible pay.

He began by summoning his most trusted advisers, men he knew he could rely on to help him get to the bottom of this mess.

“Tell me everything you know about the Sanchez family,” he said, his voice brooking no argument. “I need to know what they’re up to, and I need to know now.”

The advisor closest to Ramos spoke up first, his voice low and steady. “The Sanchez family controls a large portion of the city’s criminal activity, from drugs to prostitution to gambling,” he said.

“They’re well-connected and well-funded, and they have a reputation for being ruthless and efficient. They’ve been steadily expanding their reach, and we believe they’re planning something big – something that could seriously impact the city’s political and economic landscape.”

“And what about Alfonso?” Ramos asked, his jaw set in a grim line.

“Alfonso is the mastermind behind the family’s operations,” the advisor said. “He’s smart, cunning, and he has a knack for planning ahead. We believe he has a long-term strategy in mind, one that he’s been working toward for years.

And we also believe that he’s been planning something specifically for you, something that could put your life and career in jeopardy.”

“Do you have any evidence to support these claims?” Ramos asked, trying to keep his growing unease from showing in his voice.

“We do have some evidence,” the advisor said, his tone somber. “But it’s not conclusive. We need more time to gather information, to dig deeper into the Sanchez family’s operations. But in the meantime, I would advise you to be cautious. Alfonso is not to be trusted.”

Determined to take back control of the situation, Ramos began to plot his revenge. He would find a way to get Raven back and take down the Sanchez family, once and for all. It wouldn’t be easy, but he was more than up to the challenge.