12Emilia’s POV I woke early, as usual, with sunlight barely filtering through my window. I stretched, mentally preparing myself for the day ahead. Today felt different, though. The past few days had been a blur. I was still grateful to Alaric for helping me with Matteo’s bills. Despite his rough exterior, he’d been willing to help a stranger like me, something I hadn’t expected from a man like him—a man with power, influence, and a reputation that usually spelled danger. I’d thanked him, of course, and though he’d been stoic, I thought I’d seen a flicker of something softer in his eyes.I got dressed quickly and headed straight for Francesca’s room, as I did every morning. It had become a routine, a comforting one. I loved the little girl’s innocence, her bright smile, and how she lit up at the smallest things. She’d become the highlight of my day, and it felt like my purpose here was becoming clearer by the day.As I approached her door, I heard quiet murmurs from inside. Curious,
13Alaric’s POV.The night was thick, heavy with an intensity that clung to the air like smoke. Our meeting with the Salvatore syndicate had been tense from the moment I walked in. It should have been a quick discussion, a negotiation to remind them where their limits were. But it looked and felt like they had other plans. As I looked around, my senses alert, I could feel their eyes on me—calculating, waiting. I knew what that meant. A fight was coming, and I welcomed it.It happened fast. A flash of movement, a clinking of a gun being drawn. I dropped to the floor just as a bullet whizzed past my head, embedding itself in the wall behind me. That was it. My men and I sprang into action, returning fire in a hail of bullets that filled the air with the deafening sound of gunshots.I moved through the chaos, focused and precise, my gun an extension of my arm. I knew how this would end. These men—loyal to a family with no loyalty to themselves—were just a hindrance, and I did not like hi
14Emilia’s POV. I woke up to the dim light filtering through my window, making the room look soft. It was quiet this morning, peaceful even, but a knot of nerves tightened in my stomach. I was going to see Matteo today. My heart raced as I thought about it. The relief, the anxiety, and all the things I wanted to tell him…all of it built up winside of me like a tidal wave ready to crash. But first, I had to get Francesca ready.I moved as fast as I could, washing my face and throwing on some comfortable clothes. I ran a brush through my hair before leaving the room. I walked down towards Francesca’s room. Pushing the door open, I found her awake, already seated on her bed with a sleepy smile across her face. I grinned at her.“Good morning, Francesca,” I greeted her, crossing the room and sitting on the edge of her bed.“Good morning, Mommy!” she replied, reaching her arms up for a hug. I froze for a moment. She still hadn’t stopped calling me mommy. And no matter how much I told her
15Alaric’s POV I stood by the window in the living room, watching the rain patter against the glass. It felt like a steady rhythm, filling up the silent house. It was one of those dreary days where the clouds hung low, heavy with rain, and the world outside felt muted and grey. I found myself lost in thought, wondering about my life.Just as I turned away from the window, I heard the front door open, and my attention snapped back to the entrance hall. Emilia walked in, her hair damp from the rain, and Francesca was right behind her, her little voice chirping with excitement.“Mommy! You’re back!” Francesca exclaimed, her eyes shining like little stars as she rushed towards Emilia.Emilia forced a smile, but there was something in her expression that caught my attention and I could see shadows in her eyes. She knelt down, arms open wide, and Francesca dove into her embrace. “I missed you, Francesca,” she said, her voice soft and warm, but there was an edge to it.“Did you see Matteo?
16Emilia’s POV Alaric Castillo was the perfect definition of hot and cold. Nice and caring one minute, cold and dismissive the next. I didn’t even know what to make of it.When he first came to my room yesterday, I thought maybe he wanted to console me. He acted like it. And I think he actually wanted to, until he started speaking so coldly to me like he couldn’t care less that I was human and I had my own fair share of problems and emotions to deal with.I frowned, sitting up on my bed and staring at the standing mirror. My eyes were a bit red rimmed and puffy from all my crying yesterday, and I was in very low spirits right now but I had to find a way to brighten my mood before going to Francesca’s room. That was the downside of being a nanny to such an happy, bright girl, I guessed. I needed to always be in a good mood.I bit my lip, running my hands through my hair before picking up an headband which I had discarded on the bed yesterday. I put it over my hair before dragging mys
17Alaric’s POV I rubbed my face, closing my eyes for just a moment before snapping it back open. Now she was tormenting my visions. Brown eyes, brown hair, slender curves and that sharp, witty mouth. They kept appearing every time I closed my eyes. It was unsettling. I needed to shut her out of my mind once and for all.“Boss!”I almost startled, raising my head and narrowing my eyes at Allesio who just called out my name. Everyone had their eyes on me. Allesio had an expression I didn’t understand on his face, staring at me for a moment longer before turning around and talking.“The shipment arrives in two days. I have arranged our most trusted men to stand guard and search thoroughly. Don Giuseppe’s men will also be there to stand guard and make sure nothing interferes with their shipment.” He said, his eyes flicking to me once again as if to make sure that I’m really listening to him. “Is that okay with you boss?”I gave a nod of my head. “I want to be there while they’re searchi
18Emilia’s POV “Emilia?” Allesio’s voice rang out while I quickly braided Francesca’s hair and pulled her dress over her head. She was ready for her lessons now.“Yes?” I called back. Maybe he didn’t know I was here. I picked up the bags containing her books and held her hand, leading her to the door.Allesio met me at the door.“Are you ready to go?” He asked.“Go where?” Francesca asked before I could even answer him.“I’m going to the hospital to see Matteo,” I explained to her and her eyes brightened.“Really? Can I come with?” She asked eagerly.“No, sweetie,” I replied with a shake of my head.She tugged on my sleeve with that pleading look I was coming to know so well.“Please, Mommy?” Francesca pouted, stretching the word out like it would change my mind. “I want to meet him! He’s your family too.”I knelt down and brushed a loose curl from her forehead. “I know, sweetheart. But this isn’t a visit for you, okay?”Her face fell, instantly making me feel bad. It would have bee
19Alaric’s POV “You’re quiet,” Allesio’s voice rang through the living room. It was only me here, Emilia and Francesca had gone to their rooms. It was probably that she didn’t want to stay around me, because the moment I stepped into the living room with my laptop, she carried Francesca, who was sleeping, and left.I ignored Allesio, not interested in having a conversation with him. If he thought I was quiet, then I didn’t know what he expected me to do. I was working, and I continued to do just that, keeping my focus on my laptop and typing.“Well I’m going to the bar. Do you want to come with? Might help relieve your stress a bit,” he continued, heading to the door.“Just go to wherever you want to , Allesio,” I murmured, keeping my focus on my laptop. He didn’t say anything, and that got me suspicious because Allesio would have retorted. I frowned at that. He was definitely up to something. In the blink of an eye, he snatched my laptop from my hand and closed it.“I insist.” He s
158Gianna’s POVThe office felt… empty.Not in the literal sense—every cubicle was occupied, the hum of conversations and clicking keyboards filling the air—but something was missing. I couldn’t pinpoint it at first, brushing off the nagging sensation as a bad case of the Monday blues.By the time lunch rolled around, though, it hit me. Matteo.He hadn’t stopped by my office all morning. No casual comments, no sly smiles, no unsolicited but strangely helpful interventions. Nothing.And for reasons I didn’t care to examine, I noticed.I shouldn’t have, honestly. The man had been a thorn in my side for weeks, with his relentless determination to worm his way past my defenses. I couldn’t fire him as much as I’d thought about the idea countless times. Alaric brought him in. God knew how dangerous Matteo himself was even with his charming exterior. I should’ve been relieved to have some space, to be able to focus without his looming presence.But I wasn’t.Instead, I found myself glancing
157Gianna’s POVThe morning started with the shrill cry of my alarm slicing through my half-formed dreams. I groaned, slapping at the clock until it silenced itself. The sun was barely up, and I already felt behind.By the time I made it out the door, balancing my bag, a coffee tumbler, and a stack of folders I’d promised myself I’d review last night, I could already feel the dull thrum of a headache forming.The office was the usual chaos by the time I arrived. Phones ringing, people rushing between desks, the steady hum of printers and voices blending into an overwhelming static. I barely had time to set my things down before Matteo appeared in my office and at the edge of my desk, holding a printout in his hand.“This came to my inbox, but I’m pretty sure it’s meant for you,” he said, his tone calm, as if the morning hadn’t already started unraveling.I frowned, taking the paper from him. “Why is it in your inbox?”“I don’t know,” he said, leaning slightly against the edge of my d
156Gianna’s POVDinner with the closest board members wasn’t exactly my idea of a good time, but declining Matteo’s invitation felt like more trouble than it was worth. He’d caught me on my way out of the office, his tone casual but leaving little room for argument.“Team dinner tomorrow night,” he’d said, leaning against my desk like he had all the time in the world. “We’re celebrating the end of the project. You’ll be there.”I should have said no, made up an excuse about prior plans, but instead, I nodded, my mouth betraying me.Now, sitting at a long table in a cozy Italian restaurant with the board members, I questioned that decision.The chatter around me was loud and cheerful, a mix of work gossip and lighthearted banter. Matteo sat at the head of the table, his sleeves rolled up and a glass of red wine in hand. He looked completely at ease, laughing at something one of the junior analysts said. I tried to ignore the way my eyes kept drifting toward him, the way my chest tight
155Gianna’s POVBack in the city, it felt like everything should have gone back to normal. The trip was behind us, and with it, the long nights, the rooftop wine, and Matteo’s surprising kindness. We were back in our element: the office, the routine, the emails that never stopped. It was safe here, predictable.And yet, I found myself glancing at my office door more often than necessary, half expecting Matteo to walk through it with one of his disarming comments or an unsolicited opinion about my latest report.He didn’t.Instead, he kept his distance, but not in the way I expected. Matteo had always been everywhere, his presence big and loud, demanding attention. But now, he was more subtle, almost… careful. And it was driving me insane.It was barely past nine. I was hunched over my desk, scanning through the latest client proposal, when there was a soft knock at my door.“Come in,” I called, not looking up.A cup of coffee slid onto the corner of my desk, accompanied by a familiar
154Gianna’s POVThe final night of the trip arrived faster than I anticipated. It had been a whirlwind of back-to-back meetings, client dinners, and endless negotiations, leaving little time for myself. But as I sat in my hotel room, staring at my half-packed suitcase, I felt a twinge of something I couldn’t quite name. Relief? Sadness?Maybe both.A knock at my door pulled me from my thoughts. I frowned, glancing at the clock. It was late—too late for a work-related interruption.“Who is it?” I called out.“It’s Matteo,” came the reply.Of course, it was.I hesitated for a moment before standing and opening the door. He leaned against the doorframe, hands in his pockets, his tie slightly loosened but still annoyingly put together.“What do you need?” I asked, my tone sharper than I intended.His lips twitched in what might have been a smirk. “Relax, Gianna. I’m not here to bother you with work. I wanted to check if you were free for a moment.”“I was about to—” I gestured vaguely at
153Matteo’s POVI wasn’t one for tiptoeing around problems. Gianna, however, seemed determined to shove hers into a fucking closet and pretend they didn’t exist.We were wrapping up for the day, the conference room except for the faint hum of the city outside. She was sitting at the head of the table, fingers flying across her laptop keyboard, her focus sharp as a blade. At least, she wanted it to look that way.“Gianna,” I said, leaving my things and walking to her knowing fully well she’d push me away again. But I didn’t care. Not this time.She didn’t look up. “Not now, Matteo. I’m busy.”“Busy avoiding me, you mean?” I demanded, slamming my palms on the table much more louder and harder than I’d intended.That got her attention. She paused, her fingers hovering over the keys before she sighed and sat back, crossing her arms. “What do you want?”I leaned against the edge of the table, arms folded. “I want to know what’s going on with you. And don’t give me the ‘I’m fine’ speech—I’
152Gianna’s POVI hadn’t slept well in days. Matteo was like a storm cloud that followed me everywhere—quiet but impossible to ignore. Every glance, every small interaction left me tangled in a web of conflicting emotions that I really wasn’t ready to face yet.And now, sitting across from him in yet another cramped conference room, I couldn’t concentrate to save my life.“Gianna?” His voice cut through my thoughts.My head snapped up. “What?”He tilted his head, looking far too amused for my liking. “I asked if you’d prefer to handle the presentation, or should I take the lead?”“Oh.” I forced myself to focus, ignoring the slight flush creeping up my neck. “You should do it. You’re better at improvising.”He raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. “You think I’m good at something? That’s a first.”“Don’t let it go to your head,” I muttered, keeping my eyes glued to the papers in front of me.But I could feel his gaze on me still like he knew my thoughts and understood them w
151Matteo’s POVDinner with Gianna was an exercise in restraint, though I’m not sure why I bothered anymore. She’d made it clear after the night we spent together that we were employer and employee—nothing more, nothing less.Yet, there I was, sitting across from her at a quiet restaurant, trying not to stare at how the soft lighting caught the warmth of her skin or how her lips curved slightly when she read the menu.“Don’t get the salmon,” I said, breaking the silence.She glanced up, one eyebrow arched. “Why not?”“Because it’s dry here. Trust me, I’ve been to this place enough times to know.”Gianna set the menu down and folded her arms on the table. “And you’re suddenly an expert on everything now?”I smirked, leaning back in my chair. “I’ve been accused of worse.”She rolled her eyes, but there was a flicker of amusement in them. “Fine. What would the expert recommend?”“The risotto,” I said without missing a beat. “It’s one of the few things they don’t manage to ruin.”Her lip
150Matteo’s POV.This gala was the kind of event I hated but had perfected enduring over the years. Suits too stiff, champagne too warm, and conversations too shallow. Mr Clifford, who was hosting it, is, of course, a big player, and making an appearance wasn’t optional.I scanned the room, my gaze naturally landing on Gianna. She was near the bar, her sharp black dress cutting a figure that commanded attention without trying. Her head tilted slightly as she listened to some older man in a loud suit, her polite smile firmly in place. I could tell she wasn’t enjoying the conversation; her fingers tapped against her glass in that rhythmic way they did when she was irritated.The man leaned closer, a little too familiar, and I felt my jaw tighten.Before I could second-guess myself, I was already walking toward them, sliding into the conversation with a practiced ease.“Gianna,” I said, my voice cutting cleanly through whatever the guy had been saying. “There you are. I’ve been looking