8Emilia’s POV. It was very quiet morning as I took care of Francesca, a peaceful kind of silence that I didn’t often experience in this house. She was babbling on the living room rug, caught up in her own little world with her toys spread out in front of her. Her tiny fingers reached for blocks, stacking them with a level of concentration I couldn’t help but smile at. Moments like these were rare, and as her nanny, I’d come to savor each one.I leaned forward to help her with stacking the bloks, but then a sharp voice – Alaric’s voice – cut through the silence. I tensed at the roughness in his fone. I didn’t know who he was talking to but the way his words bounced off the walls, sharp and intense, made it clear that he was anything but pleased.“…I’ve told you before, I don’t want excuses,” he said, his voice filtering through the slightly open door. “If this can’t be resolved by tonight, I’ll find someone who can do it properly. I don’t have time for incompetence.”Francesca looked
9Alaric’s POV. Watching Francesca, I couldn’t ignore the shift in her over the past few days. Since Emilia had come into our lives, my daughter had started to smile more, her laughter echoing through the house in ways I hadn’t heard in far too long. She was brighter, more joyful, and that alone made me feel less stressed. It was like a burden if some sort had been lifted off my shoulders.With Emilia at the hospital today, seeing her brother through surgery, I’d decided to take the day off to spend it with Francesca. Work could wait for once. My daughter needed me, and I wanted to give her something real—something beyond my often-busy, distracted self. Besides, it wasn’t often that I saw her this happy. She deserved this, even if just for the day.We spent the morning in the playroom, surrounded by her favorite toys. Francesca had an impressive collection, courtesy of my attempts to keep her entertained in my absence, but none of them seemed to bring her the joy that she got from si
10Emilia’s POV. I paced outside the operating room, my stomach twisted into anxious knots, and my hands clasped tightly together as if the sheer force of my grip could channel all my fears and hopes for Matteo’s surgery. The hours felt endless, every minute stretching painfully, as though time itself was punishing me. I had done all I could, but that was the agonizing part. I couldn’t do anything now but wait.“Please, let him be okay,” I whispered, closing my eyes tightly, willing away the panic rising in my chest. My mind replayed every memory I had with Matteo, from his infectious laugh to his stubborn refusal to let life break him. He deserved a chance. A chance to live, to be free of this pain. I couldn’t imagine a life without him.The hall was quiet except for the occasional footsteps of nurses and the quiet beep of machines from nearby rooms. I watched each figure passing by, hoping it was a doctor coming to give me news, but every time, they walked past me without a second
11Alaric’s POV Entering the office that morning, I was already in a volatile mood. The deal with the Morales family had barely survived the night, thanks to one of my men making the kind of error I couldn’t let slide. Everything I’d built depended on loyalty, precision, and control. Mistakes like his weren’t just errors; they were weaknesses.He sat across the desk from me now, visibly shaking as he waited for me to speak. I paced behind my desk, keeping my voice level despite the anger simmering underneath.“Explain to me how it was possible for you to misplace something as crucial as the delivery details?” I asked, voice low but firm.“I’m so sorry, Mr. Castillo,” he stammered. “I-it won’t happen again.”I stopped pacing, fixing him with a cold gaze. “You’re right—it won’t.”I drew my gun, watching his eyes widen in fear, but he didn’t try to run. He knew better. In my world, there was no room for second chances when betrayal or negligence was involved. I pulled the trigger, a sin
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?
226Gianna’s POVThe quiet hum of my condo was both a blessing and a curse. I’d taken a few days off from work, claiming I needed to recharge, but the truth was I needed to breathe. I needed to be away from Matteo, and away from the chaos of my emotions and anything that reminded me at all of how hus sister had strongly disapproved of me just a few days ago.I haven’t told anyone the full story yet. My business partners assumed I was just overwhelmed, and my friends, even while supportive, hadn’t pressed for details. Still, their company had been a welcome distraction. The dinners, late-night phone calls, and Netflix marathons with them had helped, but the emptiness of Matteo’s absence wouldn’t stop hanging over my head like a dark cloud.Sinking into the couch, I curled my legs beneath me and stared at the untouched mug of tea on the coffee table. It had gone cold hours ago, much like my determination to keep myself busy. I’d tried everything—reading, cleaning, even baking, which I n
225Matteo’s POVI stared at my phone, willing it to light up with a message, a call, anything. But the screen remained dark, the silence stretching longer and heavier with every passing minute.It had been two days since Gianna left the dinner table and, by extension, my life—at least, that’s what it felt like. Two days of her refusing to answer my calls, ignoring my texts, and shutting me out completely.The last message I’d sent was still unread: “Gianna, please. I need to talk to you.”I clenched my jaw, tossing the phone onto the couch next to me. It landed face down with a dull thud, mocking me with its lack of response.This wasn’t like her. Gianna wasn’t the type to play games or hold grudges. She was calm, understanding, always the voice of reason when I let my temper get the better of me. But now, I couldn’t reach her. Not even to say I was sorry for what happened at dinner.And the worst part? I knew exactly who to blame.“Emilia,” I muttered under my breath, running a hand
224Gianna’s POVI slammed the door behind me and leaned against it, taking in deep, shaky breaths. My chest felt tight, like I couldn’t get enough air. The comversation at Alaric’s house pressed down on me, and tears blurred my vision as I finally let go of the composure I’d been clinging to all night.Emilia’s words and her thinly veiled disapproval played on a loop in my mind. The skepticism in her tone, the way she questioned everything without outright saying it. I’d felt every ounce of judgment in her eyes, and no matter how polite I tried to be, I could feel myself shrinking under her scrutiny.It wasn’t just what she said; it was how she said it. The casual way she implied that I wasn’t right for Matteo, that I didn’t belong in his life. As if loving him wasn’t enough.I tossed my bag onto the couch and sank down next to it, pressing the heels of my hands into my eyes. I’d known this relationship wasn’t going to be easy. Matteo was in deep in a world I’d never been part of—a w
223Matteo’s POVI paced in the kitchen, the remnants of dinner still sitting in the sink. My jaw tightened as I replayed Emilia’s words over and over in my head. Dinner had been civil—on the surface. But I’d caught the looks and the subtle jabs disguised as polite conversation.She didn’t outright say she disapproved of Gianna, but she didn’t have to. Emilia has always been good at making her opinions known without being direct. And tonight, she’d practically screamed it.Gianna was still in the living room, probably trying to brush off the tension and awkwardness from the day, but I couldn’t let this go. Not anymore.I stormed into the dining room, where Emilia was casually clearing plates, like she hadn’t just undermined my relationship all day.“We need to talk,” I said flatly, narrowing my eyes at her.“Can’t this wait? I’m busy,” she murmured in reply, not even turning around to look at me. But I knew what she was trying to do. She was trying to get out of the conversation and t
222Gianna’s POV“So,” she continued as if she hadn’t just told me that I wasn’t good enough for her brother. Her tone was casual but her eyes anything but. “What made you fall for Matteo?”It was a simple enough question, but there was an edge to it I couldn’t ignore. I set my mug down carefully, meeting her gaze.“Well, he’s kind, thoughtful, and funny,” I said. “He has this way of making you feel like you’re the only person in the room, you know? Like you matter.”Emilia’s lips twitched, but it wasn’t a smile. “Matteo does have a way of making people feel special,” she said, her tone almost too neutral.I couldn’t tell if it was a compliment or a warning. “He’s also incredibly driven,” I added, trying to steer the conversation toward safer ground. “I admire that about him.”She tilted her head slightly, as if weighing my words. “Driven can sometimes mean impulsive,” she said. “Matteo’s always had big ideas, but he doesn’t always think them through. He needs someone who can keep him
221Gianna’s POVThe day had arrived, and I couldn’t decide if I was more nervous or excited. Matteo had been buzzing for days and practically glowing with anticipation about me meeting his sister. I wanted to match his energy, but there was a small part of me that worried about Emilia’s approval. I’d heard enough about her to know she was fiercely protective of Matteo, and while I admired that, it also felt like I was walking into an interrogation.I smoothed my blouse for the fifth time as I glanced around the room. Alaric’s mansion had an elegance to it that still managed to make me feel a little out of place. The lavish décor and high ceilings were impressive, but still I couldn’t help but feel out of place here. I occasionally caught the glimpse of some men walking around with huge guns.Matteo told me that Alaric had insisted that the meeting would take place here, where things could be more relaxed and private. Of course, relaxed wasn’t exactly how I felt, especially with Emili
220Matteo’s POVI leaned against the kitchen counter, watching Emilia stir something on the stove. The rich aroma of whatever she was making filled the air, but I barely noticed. My mind was elsewhere, buzzing with anticipation. I couldn’t help the grin that kept creeping onto my face.“You’re awfully chipper today,” Emilia said, glancing over her shoulder at me. “What’s up with you?”“Nothing,” I said, trying to sound casual.She rolled her eyes. “Don’t ‘nothing’ me, Matteo. You’re practically vibrating with excitement. Spill.”I pushed off the counter and grabbed a bottle of water, taking a slow sip just to mess with her. Her glare deepened, and I laughed, holding up a hand in surrender.“Alright, alright. It’s about Gianna,” I said, watching her expression carefully.Emilia turned off the stove and faced me, crossing her arms. “Okay, what about her?”“We finalized the plans for you two to meet,” I said, unable to keep the excitement out of my voice.Her brows lifted slightly, and
219Matteo’s POVI leaned back in my chair, swirling the coffee in my mug as Emilia paced the living room in front of me. She wasn’t good at sitting still, especially when she was in one of her overthinking moods. Today, she was obsessing over some party Alaric was hosting, which I honestly couldn’t care less about.If it were up to me, she wouldn’t be with him in the first place, talk less of attending a stupid party he was hosting.“So, what’s the big deal if you don’t wear the exact right dress?” I asked, smirking as she shot me a glare. Since I didn’t have to.go.to work today, what better wah to spend my day tham to spend it infuriating my big sister?“It’s not about the dress, Matteo,” she said, throwing her hands up. “It’s about the impression.”“Right, because mafiosos are known for their deep appreciation of fashion,” I teased, taking a sip of my coffee.She groaned and finally dropped onto the couch across from me, glaring at me like I was the root of all her problems.“Why a
218Gianna’s POVI had just settled onto the couch with a steaming mug of tea when I heard a knock at the door. My heart did a little flip. I could already tell who it was without checking. Not many people knew my residence, and the people who did wouldn’t just come here unannounced. Only he would.Matteo wasn’t supposed to visit tonight, but then again, Matteo rarely followed plans. I set the mug down and went to open the door.There he was, leaning casually against the doorframe, his dark hair slightly tousled, a sheepish grin on his face.“Surprise,” he said, holding up a bag of takeout like a peace offering.“Matteo,” I said with a smile, stepping aside to let him in. “You know you don’t have to bribe me to let you in, right?”“Bribe?” he repeated, walking past me. “This is just me being thoughtful.”“Uh-huh,” I said, closing the door behind him.He kicked off his shoes and made his way to the couch like he owned the place. I followed, plopping down next to him. He opened the bag