79Alaric’s POV I’ve faced countless threats in my life. Guns aimed at my head. Betrayals by people I thought I could trust. Enemies clawing at the edges of my empire, waiting for a moment of weakness. But nothing—NOTHING—had ever terrified me as much as seeing Francesca lying helpless in that hospital bed.The sterile smell of antiseptic burned my nose as I sat in the uncomfortable chair outside her room. My hands were clasped tightly, my knuckles white. The usual iron control I prided myself on felt like it was slipping. I couldn’t stop replaying the image of her small, flushed face, the way her body had burned with fever when I held her. She’d felt so fragile, and for the first time, I realized just how powerless I was when it came to her health.What if this was something serious? What if I couldn’t protect her from this?The thought clawed at my chest like a wild animal, threatening to rip me apart. Francesca was everything to me—my light, my reason for holding it all together.
80Emilia’s POV I didn’t know why my mind kept going to Alaric, but it wouldn’t stop. I remembered how vulnerable he was in the hospital earlier today, and how he had kissed me without caring that anyone could have seen.I got up from my bed, sliding my feet into my flip flops and walking out my my room. I found myself in front of his office where I knew he was, probably going crazy at the fact that Francesca wasn’t under his roof. All I wanted was to comfort him.I walked into his office and closed the door behind me. Just as I expected, he was pacing the length of his office but he paused when he noticed me.“Hey,” I began, feeling awkward and stupid for coming here in the first place when he hadn’t called for me. What if he chased me out? That would only make me feel more like shit.He said nothing, but his face softened a bit as he watched me. I took a bold step, going closer to him and standing in front of him. “I know you’re going crazy about Francesca right now. But she’s goin
81Alaric’s POV The fear that had been hanging around me for says lifted the moment Francesca was finally discharged from the hospital. Watching her walk out hand in hand with Emilia, he’d cheeks regaining some of it’s usual color, I felt a relief so profound it was almost painful. My little girl was coming home and the house wouldn’t feel like a void anymore.The ride back was quiet. Francesca sat snug between Emilia and me in the back seat, her small body leaning against Emilia’s side as if that was the only place she felt completely safe. I kept glancing at her, watching the rise and fall of her chest, reassuring myself she was really okay. Every so often, she would catch my gaze and smile faintly, and I’d reach out to squeeze her tiny hand.“You excited to sleep in your own bed again, principessa?” I asked, breaking the silence.She nodded, her voice still a little soft. “And I want to play with Mr. Snuggles.”Mr. Snuggles—her battered old teddy bear. I smiled despite myself. “He
82Allesio’s POVThe music thumped through the club like a second heartbeat, the kind of bass that seemed to pulse in your chest and drown out everything else. It wasn’t really my scene, but I’d promised Alaric I’d come out with him tonight. Something about needing a change of scenery, a chance to let off some steam.Not that Alaric was exactly a party animal. He sat at the private booth we’d reserved, nursing his whiskey and scanning the room like it was just another battlefield. Old habits die hard, I guess. For him, it was impossible to relax completely—even here.“Why did I even bother dragging you out?” I asked, leaning back in my seat and watching him with an amused smirk.“I’m here, aren’t I?” he said, raising an eyebrow.“Physically, sure. Mentally? You’re probably running through surveillance reports in your head.”He didn’t respond, which only proved my point. I shook my head, taking a sip of my drink. Sometimes I wondered if Alaric even remembered how to have fun. The guy c
83Rosa’s POV The music in the club was deafening, the bass vibrating through my chest as I took another sip of my cocktail. It was my second—or was it my third?—drink of the night, and I was starting to feel the warm, comfortable buzz creep in. Not enough to let my guard down completely, though. I wasn’t the type to lose myself, not even in a place like this.I glanced around, watching the crowd sway and dance under the flickering neon lights. It was a mix of strangers and regulars, faces that blurred together into a kaleidoscope of movement and sound. The bartender caught my eye and gave me a knowing smile, sliding another drink down the counter toward someone further down. I didn’t smile back—I wasn’t in the mood for small talk.Pulling out my phone, I checked the time. It was getting late, and I was starting to debate whether I should stay or call it a night. That’s when it happened. My phone vibrated in my hand, the screen lighting up with an unknown number.I frowned. I didn’t
84Rosa’s POV We walked into his apartment and I dropped my bag, running one hand through my hair and ruffling it a bit. When I turned around he was seated on a chair, his eyes zeroed in on me.“Come here,” he said in a deep tone that made shivers run down my spine. Slowly I dropped my phone on the table and then walked up to him till I was standing between his legs.He reached out for my hand and dragged me down till I was sitting on his laps. He slammed his lips down on mine instantly, his tongue sliding into my mouth when I parted my lips in shock. I relaxed into his hold and missed him back, slowly and shyly at first but then I started to get bold, matching his pace and moaning lightly.One of his hands found my hair and he tangled his fingers in my hair. The other hand found one of the straps of my gown and he began to pull it down.He grabbed a handful of my hair and then pulled back my head slightly, breaking our kiss. I wiggled on his lap with a whimper. Fuck. I was too arous
85Rosa’s POV The sunlight filtering through the blinds was the first thing I noticed as I opened my eyes. My body ached pleasantly, the aftereffects of last night’s sex making themselves known. I stretched, glancing at the man lying beside me, his features relaxed in sleep. Allesio. I didn’t let my gaze linger; that wasn’t my style. What happened between us was intense, but I knew better than to read into it, as much I wanted to.It would be stupid to do it. Men like him…they didn’t make commitments. It wasn’t hard to tell. Call it judging a book by its cover but I never failed to listen to my instincts. It was always right.I slid out of bed quietly, careful not to disturb him, and gathered my scattered clothes from the floor. My dress was wrinkled, and my heels had been kicked into opposite corners of the room. I found my bag on the small armchair and checked my phone—two missed calls and a few messages, none urgent.After dressing quickly, I paused at the door, looking back at hi
86Allesio’s POV The quietness of the office was usually comforting to me. It helped me focus. But today, it was suffocating. No matter how hard I tried to focus on the ledger in front of me, my mind kept drifting back to her.Rosa.I pressed my thumb against the corner of the page, flipping it more aggressively than I needed to. What was wrong with me? I was glad she was gone when I woke up this morning. It was better that way. Cleaner. A one-night stand didn’t need the mess of lingering glances over coffee or awkward goodbyes.And yet, I couldn’t shake her.The way her body had moved against mine, the soft hitch of her breath, the sharp intelligence behind her eyes—I clenched my jaw, shutting the memory down before it could spiral further. I’d had my share of good nights with women, but there was something about Rosa that had seeped into my mind like a drug.I didn’t like it.“Allesio,” Alaric’s sharp tone snapped me out of my thoughts. I glanced up to see him watching me with mild
208Emilia’s POVThe package sat on the dining table, wrapped in elegant gold paper and tied with a satin bow. Francesca bounced on her toes, her small frame radiating excitement.“Can I open it now, Emilia? Please?”I hesitated, glancing at the doorway where I knew Alaric would appear any moment. My stomach twisted at the thought of his reaction. This wasn’t just any gift—it was from Alonso.“Go ahead, sweetheart,” I said softly, smoothing down her curls. Francesca’s joy was infectious, and I couldn’t bear to ruin it for her.Her tiny fingers worked quickly to tear the paper, revealing a sleek black box. She opened it with a gasp, pulling out a beautiful, hand-carved wooden horse. The craftsmanship was impeccable, every detail perfect, from the delicate reins to the smooth finish of the wood.“It’s so pretty!” Francesca exclaimed, holding it up for me to see. “Look, Emilia! It’s like the ponies in my storybook!”I forced a smile, though my chest felt tight. “It’s beautiful, love. Do
207Emilia’s POVAlaric paced the living room like a caged tiger, his hand raking through his hair as he muttered under his breath. I sat on the couch, my arms folded, trying to keep my own emotions in check. This had become a familiar scene since I’d returned from seeing Alonso, the air between us heavy with tension neither of us seemed willing—or able—to break.Finally, he stopped and turned to face me, his dark eyes blazing. “I don’t understand how you can even consider letting that man into your life after everything he’s done.”I took a deep breath, bracing myself. “It’s not about letting him in, Alaric. It’s about understanding where I came from, about finding some kind of peace with it.”“Peace?” he repeated, his voice sharp. “You think you’re going to find peace with a man like Alonso? He’s a manipulator, Emilia. He’ll say whatever he thinks you want to hear to worm his way into your good graces.”I stood, my frustration bubbling over. “Do you think I don’t know that? Do you t
206Emilia’s POVI was seated across from Alonso in the dimly lit study of his villa, the journal clutched tightly in my hands. It felt strange to be here again, to look into the eyes of a man who had caused me so much pain and confusion, yet who claimed to have loved my birth mother more than life itself. He looked different today—not the powerful, untouchable mafia king, but a man weighed down by his own ghosts.“I found this,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt as I placed the journal on the polished wooden table between us. “It was my mother’s.”Alonso’s face softened, his gaze dropping to the worn leather cover. He didn’t reach for it. Instead, he leaned back, his expression shadowed with something I couldn’t quite name. Guilt? Pain? Regret?“She kept it hidden,” I continued. “But it paints a picture I’m not sure I can reconcile. She loved you, Alonso. That much is clear. But she was also afraid of you, afraid of what this life would do to her—and to me.”His shoulders sagged,
205Emilia’s POVI sat at the edge of the couch, clutching my mother’s journal like it was my lifeline. It had this emotional weight to it that I hated, pressing against my chest like a phantom ache and making me feel suffocated. Alaric paced the room, his sharp movements punctuated by the occasional clenched fist. I’d just finished reading him the most damning entries, and the fire in his eyes made me question whether I should’ve shared them at all.“She loved him,” I said quietly, breaking the tense silence. “That much is clear. But she was scared, too. Scared of what his world meant for her—and for me.”Alaric stopped mid-step, turning to face me. His jaw tightened, and his eyes were colder than I’d seen them in a long time. “She was scared because Alonso dragged her into hell. He promised her safety, and instead, he handed her over to a life she couldn’t escape.”His words cut deep, and not because they were wrong. The journal painted a picture of a man who loved my mother but cou
204Emilia’s POVThe late afternoon sunlight filtered through the wide windows of the library, casting golden patterns across the polished wood floor. My fingers brushed against the spine of an ancient leather-bound journal, its surface cracked and worn with time. I had found it tucked away in a small wooden chest Alonso had left in the room I was temporarily staying in—a chest I wasn’t supposed to open but couldn’t resist. I hadn’t even remembered about it until now.The name Inscribed on the cover made my breath catch. Isabella. My mother.I hesitated, the weight of the moment pressing down on me. I had spent weeks trying to piece together who she really was, struggling to separate the idyllic image I had as a child from the fragmented truth Alonso had given me. And now, here in my hands, was her voice—her thoughts, her fears, her love—all bound in a fragile relic of the past.My heart pounded as I flipped open the cover. The pages were filled with a delicate script, the ink faded b
203Alaric’s POVThe meeting room was quiet except for the low hum of voices as my men debated logistics. Allesio stood at the head of the table, his arms crossed, the tension in his posture mirroring my own. I sat back in my chair, listening but not speaking, my fingers steepled as I processed the information.“They’ve been hitting our distribution routes near the docks,” Allesio said, his tone clipped. “Two shipments delayed this week alone. It’s not coincidence, Alaric.”My jaw tightened. “And you’re sure it’s the Santoros?”Allesio nodded. “As sure as I can be. The timing, the method—it fits their MO. They’re small-time, but they’re not stupid. They see the tension with Alonso and think it’s their chance to play kingmaker.”“Idiots,” I muttered, leaning forward. “They won’t survive stepping into this war.”“We could let them,” Allesio suggested. “Let them hit Alonso’s operations, stir up trouble on his end. It might even work in our favor.”“No,” I snapped, the finality in my voic
202Alaric’s POVThe house was quiet, too quiet, as I sat in my office with a glass of whiskey that I hadn’t touched in over an hour. The amber liquid caught the dim light of the desk lamp, swirling lazily as if mocking my restless mind. Emilia was in the next room, probably pacing, possibly crying, but definitely not telling me everything she was thinking. That was the problem with her. She’d shoulder a world of burdens without letting anyone else carry even a fraction of the weight.And it was killing me.I heard the soft creak of the door opening, and when I looked up, there she was. Her hair was slightly disheveled, her face weary, but there was something very dull in her expression. She didn’t wait for me to invite her in—she rarely did these days. Instead, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts.“Are you going to stand there all night?” I asked, my voice rougher than I intended.She crossed the room and sat in the chair ac
201Emilia’s POVThe house was unusually quiet when I stepped through the front door, the familiar scent of leather and polished wood greeting me like an old friend. My body ached from the stress of the day, and my mind was still reeling from everything Alonso had said. But as my gaze swept the empty entryway, I felt a pang of longing—for the comfort of this home, for Francesca’s sweet voice, and, yes, even for Alaric’s brooding presence.I hadn’t even taken a step toward the living room when I heard the unmistakable sound of Francesca’s laughter floating down the hallway. It was light and unburdened, and it felt like a balm on my frayed nerves.I followed it, my footsteps soft against the tiled floor, and found them in the sunroom. Francesca was perched on Alaric’s lap, her tiny hands clutching one of his much larger ones as she giggled at something he’d said. Alaric, for his part, looked almost relaxed, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.The sight made my heart twist
200Emilia’s POVThe air inside the car felt heavy and suffocating as though the stupidity of my decision pressed down on every passenger. The convoy surrounding us—a caravan of SUVs loaded with Alaric’s men—only heightened my anxiety. Outside the tinted windows, the world passed by in muted colors, but my focus was on the knot in my stomach that tightened with every passing second.“I still think this is a mistake,” Alaric’s voice crackled through the small earpiece I wore, his tone as sharp as the blade he always carried.“I know,” I replied quietly, glancing at the driver, who kept his eyes locked on the road. “But I need to do this.”He sighed audibly. “We’ll be right outside. If anything feels wrong, anything at all—”“I know,” I interrupted. “You’ll storm the place. Just… trust me, Alaric.”The line went quiet, but I could sense his frustration. He hated this, hated the idea of me walking into Alonso’s villa even with his men stationed at every entrance and exit. Still, he’d agr