Alessandro’s eyes flickered between the gun barrel pressed to his wife’s head and Rafael’s cold, calculating gaze. He felt a surge of panic like he’d never experienced before. His heart was pounding so loudly in his chest that it felt like it might burst out. Aria was his love, his life, his everything, and he had to be extremely careful while negotiating with that idiot Marino Don. "Don Rafael, don’t do anything reckless," he warned, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Put your gun down and tell your men to do the same," Rafael demanded, pressing the cold metal harder against Aria’s temple, making her wince at the painful contact. "No! Don’t hurt her," Alessandro shouted desperately. "I’ll do anything you ask," he added, his voice dropping to a trembling whisper. A mocking smile spread across Rafael’s face, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Then step aside and let me leave here safely," he demanded. "You keep your promise, and I’ll keep mine." The deal lay heavy on the table, and Alessandro felt an overwhelming helplessness. But he knew one thing for sure—he would protect Aria at any cost."Drop the guns, now!" he barked at his men. In seconds, his guards tossed their weapons to the floor as Matteo and Alessandro did the same, letting their guns slip from their hands. Alessandro took a steadying breath. "I did what you asked. Now let her go, and I’ll clear a way out for you," he said, his tone hard and controlled, though his eyes betrayed a simmering fury. Rafael sneered, a cold glint in his eye. "You think I'm that stupid, Alessandro? Your beautiful wife here is my ticket out, and she's coming with me." With a smug smirk, he tightened his arm around Aria's waist, pulling her closer. Alessandro’s jaw clenched, his fists curling at his sides, every muscle in his body taut with barely contained rage. His hands ached to punch Rafael bloody hard, to rip his filthy hands right off his body, to tear him apart for even daring to touch her. But he knew that one wrong move could risk everything. "Take me as a hostage instead," Alessandro proposed, his voice steady, though every muscle in his body screamed to act. Rafael shook his head arrogantly, a mocking laugh escaping his lips. "You think I’m that stupid?" Rafael sneered, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement."Then take me instead," Matteo suggested, his voice calm but firm. "But leave her. Real men don’t use women in their fights." His words were a challenge, a provocation aimed straight at Rafael’s pride. Rafael snorted, his laughter mocking. "The famous lawyer, Matteo Vinci!" he scoffed. "You’re good at manipulating people, but your tricks won’t work on me." "We’re not playing tricks, Rafael, and you know that," Alessandro replied, his voice cold and emotionless, hoping to make an impact on the arrogant fool. "We’re just negotiating." Rafael’s expression hardened. "I’m not in the mood for negotiations!" he bellowed, making Aria flinch in his grasp. Emily's eyes widened in fear, watching helplessly as Aria remained trapped in that monster’s hold. "I’ll leave Emily," Rafael continued, his voice dripping with malice, "but I won’t leave Aria." His men stepped forward, releasing Emily from their grip. Matteo immediately gestured for her to hurry to his side, and Emily obeyed, stumbling toward him. She trusted Matteo’s judgment, but worry for her friend clouded her thoughts. Despite the fear gnawing at her, she knew this wasn’t the time to act irrationally. She had to remain calm and think strategically if they were going to get Aria out of this alive. "Now let me go, or be ready to see your wife dead," Rafael taunted, his voice lacing with hostility. He was smart, freeing one woman to shift the negotiations to his advantage. He knew that the moment he released Aria, Alessandro’s bullet would be his end. Alessandro exchanged a brief, silent glance with Matteo. Their eyes spoke volumes, their unspoken understanding clear. Matteo knew that Rafael, though dangerous, couldn’t afford to kill Aria—she was his only bargaining chip, the key to keeping him alive. He nodded slightly, signaling his agreement. "Alright," Alessandro said, his voice low and controlled, masking the fury bubbling beneath. "We’ll give you a way out, but remember this—hurt my wife, and no one will be able to save you. No matter where you hide, whether it’s in hell itself, I will come for you and tear your soul from your body." His words were a chilling promise, made with cold certainty. "You’re helpless, but still had the audacity to threaten me, huh?" Rafael chuckled, a smug grin on his face. He gestured for his men to pick up all the guns scattered on the floor. "Get out of my way," he ordered, rushing toward the exit, his men following close behind.Alessandro and Matteo stood frozen, watching them leave, feeling completely powerless. The weight of the situation hung in the air, their eyes tracking every movement, knowing they were helpless to stop it. Once they heard the sound of them leaving the building, followed by a few distant gunshots, Alessandro and Matteo rushed outside. They found that Rafael and his men had shot out the tires of their cars, leaving them useless. "Shit!" Matteo muttered, frustration evident in his voice. Meanwhile, Alessandro and Lucas were already on their phones and immediately began making calls. But Rafael was thrilled to take Alessandro's wife with him. "So, bambina, now you're mine," he taunted, a smug grin spreading across his face. "I've won you from your husband. He couldn’t even save you." He laughed, the sound bitter and cruel, making Aria's stomach turn with disgust. She knew that Alessandro hadn’t acted yet for a reason—there was something more to it, and that’s why she didn’t protest. She trusted him completely. She had seen the fear in Rafael's eyes, the fear that her husband was the true danger here. "Where to, Don?" a voice came from the driver's seat, making Aria’s heart leap with hope. It was then that she understood what had truly happened. Her husband was a genius, a master strategist. This was why he was worthy of the power he commanded, and she knew in that moment he had everything under control.