90Allesio’s POV The realization had hit me like a punch to the gut. Emilia had a friend born into the mafia world—a world she claimed to despise, a world she pretended she wanted no part of. And she never said a damn thing about it.“Did you know?” I asked Alaric as we walked back into the study, the tension still thick in the air.He shook his head, his expression just as puzzled as mine. “No, but I should’ve. I don’t like surprises, Allesio, and this one doesn’t sit well.”We didn’t talk for a moment. The weight of Rosa’s presence—her name, her bloodline—hung in the space between us. Romano Smith wasn’t just another name; he was a name that commanded respect and instilled fear in equal measure. That Emilia had someone like Rosa in her inner circle raised more questions than either of us were comfortable with.“She’s dangerous,” I finally said, breaking the silence.“And clever,” Alaric added, his voice low. “We need to keep her close.”I frowned, already guessing where this was he
91Rosa’s POV Dinner had been tense, to put it lightly. The kind of tension that sticks to your skin, makes the air heavier, and every word feel like a weapon. It wasn’t new to me, being in situations like this—powerful men with their piercing gazes and loaded questions. But Allesio? He was a different story altogether.I couldn’t stop staring at him.Not because I wanted to—no, that would’ve been too simple. It was the way he carried himself, the silent command of his presence that made it impossible to look away. Even when I tried to focus on Emilia or Alaric, my eyes betrayed me, darting back to him every chance they got.Dinner was over now, and Emilia and Alaric were putting Francesca to bed. That left me in the dining room with him. Alone.I hated how my pulse quickened.He sat at the far end of the table, his body relaxed but his sharp eyes locked on me. It was like he could read every thought racing through my head, like he knew I was fighting a losing battle against the pull
92Allesio’s POV Walking into Alaric’s office, I could feel the thick tension rising and it was practically almost cutting my airflow. Too thick and suffocating. I could already tell this wasn’t going to be a casual conversation.Alaric was leaning against his desk, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. The door shut behind me with a heavy click, and for a moment, the only sound was the faint hum of the air conditioning.“You needed me?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral.He nodded toward one of the chairs. “Sit.”I didn’t like the way he said it, but I complied anyway. Alaric rarely ever spoke to me with that ‘Capo’ tone of his unless he had a plan brewing, and those plans were rarely simple.He stayed silent for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully. Finally, he said, “I saw the way she was looking at you during dinner.”I didn’t need to ask who he was talking about. Rosa. And I didn’t like it at all. I could already te that I wasn’t going to like this conversation one bit
Emilia’s POVI tapped my leg continuously on the floor, my hands pressed tight together as I tried to stop them from shaking. My eyes were locked on the doctor's, and I could hear him talking, but I wasn’t even listening. All that was on my mind was thoughts of how I was going to get twenty-five thousand dollars for Matteo’s surgery. Twenty-five thousand dollars! A shudder ran through me. And that wasn’t all. I still had to pay for the other hospital bills apart from the surgery fee.It seemed like my life was just going haywire at this point, and there was absolutely nothing that I could do to stop it.“Miss Abramo?” The doctor called, snapping her fingers in my face twice. I jumped and then gave her an apologetic smile.“You were saying?” I asked.“Are you okay, Miss Abramo?” She eyed me warily. “You’ve been zoning out.”“Yeah, I’m okay,” I lied, nodding. My hands began to shake, and I clasped them together once again, taking in a deep breath as she continued.“Miss Abramo, it’s get
Alaric’s POV.I watched the girl scurry off to the elevator, her hair falling loose from the bun it was tied in and the horrible skirt she was wearing flowing behind her.The elevator doors closed behind her, and I watched as she disappeared, her figure swallowed up by the steel doors. I clenched my jaw, suppressing the irritation bubbling under the surface. Emilia. That woman was a complication, a thorn that hadn’t been there this morning and yet somehow had made her way into the very heart of my day.“Are you sure she’s not Mommy?” Francesca’s voice was small, almost like she was asking herself rather than me.I looked down at her, the tears glistening on her cheeks, her bottom lip trembling. I was used to Francesca’s questions and the way her curiosity would fixate on the strangest things, but this... this fixation on a woman she’d only just met? Unusual, even for her.“Yes, Tesoro,” I replied, keeping my voice firm but softened just enough for her, though I could feel her slipping
Emilia’s POV.I was pacing in the hallway outside my brother’s room, my thoughts tangled and all about the brutal men that I had just encountered in the hallway. I had gotten into the elevator, only to go and take the second route, where they wouldn’t see me, and gone back to Matteo’s room, though I didn’t enter. He’d see through me, and I didn’t want him getting worried. My mind kept replaying the scene in the hospital lobby—the little girl who looked at me like I was the answer to something, and her father, his presence as intimidating as it was magnetic.I was lost in those thoughts when I felt someone grab my arm. I jerked around, ready to defend myself however I could, only to find a tall, muscular man gripping me tightly. He was dressed sharply, but his eyes were cold, businesslike. Allesio. He was the one holding the gun to my head.“Let’s go,” he said, his voice low but firm.I tried to pull away. “Excuse me, who do you think you are? Let me go!”“You’re coming with me,” he re
Emilia’s POV I released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, relief washing over me even as a new wave of anxiety took its place. I’d just agreed to work for a man who practically oozed power, and I had no idea what I was getting myself into.“Good,” I said, trying to sound confident. “When do I start?”“Immediately,” he replied, his voice as decisive as ever. “Francesca is waiting for you.”The suddenness of it left me stunned. “Now?”He raised an eyebrow. “Do you have a pressing engagement?”I shot him a look, and he merely smirked, clearly unfazed by my reaction. “Fine,” I muttered. “But this doesn’t mean I’m at your beck and call.”A flicker of amusement crossed his face. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”Somehow, I didn’t believe him.With a sigh, I turned around, feeling his gaze follow me as I moved. I turned back to look at him, my heart racing despite my best efforts to stay calm.“One more thing,” I said. “I’ll be honest with Francesca. I won’t lie to her or make promises I ca
5Alaric’s POV Emilia had surprised me, and it took a lot to do that. Most people I dealt with were quick to nod, to obey, and to walk away as fast as they could manage. But Emilia? No, she had come back with demands of her own. The moment she’d lifted her chin, fire in her eyes, and laid out her terms, I’d felt an unexpected flicker of admiration.I watched her closely from my office, just across the hall. Through the glass door, I could see her kneeling on the floor, surrounded by a sea of crayons and papers, fully engaged in whatever imaginary world my daughter had conjured up. Francesca had always been spirited, a handful even on her best days, but in Emilia’s presence, she softened. She was calm, happy even, and that made me feel lighter.Emilia was resourceful. She didn’t waste time coddling Francesca, but instead, she encouraged her to express herself, to chatter away about every little thought that crossed her mind. She listened intently, nodding at all the right times, react
92Allesio’s POV Walking into Alaric’s office, I could feel the thick tension rising and it was practically almost cutting my airflow. Too thick and suffocating. I could already tell this wasn’t going to be a casual conversation.Alaric was leaning against his desk, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. The door shut behind me with a heavy click, and for a moment, the only sound was the faint hum of the air conditioning.“You needed me?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral.He nodded toward one of the chairs. “Sit.”I didn’t like the way he said it, but I complied anyway. Alaric rarely ever spoke to me with that ‘Capo’ tone of his unless he had a plan brewing, and those plans were rarely simple.He stayed silent for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully. Finally, he said, “I saw the way she was looking at you during dinner.”I didn’t need to ask who he was talking about. Rosa. And I didn’t like it at all. I could already te that I wasn’t going to like this conversation one bit
91Rosa’s POV Dinner had been tense, to put it lightly. The kind of tension that sticks to your skin, makes the air heavier, and every word feel like a weapon. It wasn’t new to me, being in situations like this—powerful men with their piercing gazes and loaded questions. But Allesio? He was a different story altogether.I couldn’t stop staring at him.Not because I wanted to—no, that would’ve been too simple. It was the way he carried himself, the silent command of his presence that made it impossible to look away. Even when I tried to focus on Emilia or Alaric, my eyes betrayed me, darting back to him every chance they got.Dinner was over now, and Emilia and Alaric were putting Francesca to bed. That left me in the dining room with him. Alone.I hated how my pulse quickened.He sat at the far end of the table, his body relaxed but his sharp eyes locked on me. It was like he could read every thought racing through my head, like he knew I was fighting a losing battle against the pull
90Allesio’s POV The realization had hit me like a punch to the gut. Emilia had a friend born into the mafia world—a world she claimed to despise, a world she pretended she wanted no part of. And she never said a damn thing about it.“Did you know?” I asked Alaric as we walked back into the study, the tension still thick in the air.He shook his head, his expression just as puzzled as mine. “No, but I should’ve. I don’t like surprises, Allesio, and this one doesn’t sit well.”We didn’t talk for a moment. The weight of Rosa’s presence—her name, her bloodline—hung in the space between us. Romano Smith wasn’t just another name; he was a name that commanded respect and instilled fear in equal measure. That Emilia had someone like Rosa in her inner circle raised more questions than either of us were comfortable with.“She’s dangerous,” I finally said, breaking the silence.“And clever,” Alaric added, his voice low. “We need to keep her close.”I frowned, already guessing where this was he
89Rosa’s POV The moment we stepped away from the living room, Emilia wasted no time. She grabbed my arm, pulling me into one of the side hallways, her expression a mix of confusion and disbelief.“Okay, spill,” she said, crossing her arms. “What the hell was that back there?”I raised an eyebrow, playing dumb. “What was what?”“Don’t give me that,” Emilia snapped, her tone sharper than I was used to. “You and Allesio. The way you two were staring at each other like you’ve got some unresolved history. Where do you know him from?”I hesitated, not because I was ashamed, but because I knew this would shock her. Emilia wasn’t one to overreact, but I could already see her wheels turning.“Well…” I started, leaning against the wall as casually as I could manage. “We, uh, had a one-night stand.”Emilia’s jaw dropped, her eyes wide with shock. “You what?”I shrugged, trying to downplay it. “We met at a club. It was fun. No big deal.”“No big deal?” she repeated, her voice rising slightly. “
88Allesio’s POV The sound of low chatter floated up from the living room as Alaric and I made our way down the staircase. Emilia’s excitement was unmistakable, her voice animated as she greeted her friend.“She seems to be enjoying herself,” I muttered, keeping my tone neutral even though my mind was already racing.Alaric raised a brow, glancing at me as we descended. “We’ll see how enjoyable it is after we get her friend’s name.”It was protocol, of course. Anyone stepping into this house needed to be vetted, especially now, when tensions with rival families were high. Even Emilia’s friends weren’t exempt.“Do you think she’s harmless?” I asked as we approached the hallway leading to the living room.Alaric’s face was unreadable, his usual calm, calculating expression in place. “That’s what we’re about to find out.”I nodded, trying to shake the unease settling in my chest.As we turned the corner, stepping into the living room, the first thing I noticed was Emilia, her face glowi
87Rosa’s POV The sun was shining hard on my windshield as I turned into the long, tree lined driveway. I couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer beauty surrounding me. The mansion at the end of the road lookedime something out a movie. Large and intimidating even though it was not supposed to be for someone with my background.But this was where Emilia was staying. My best friend, my partner in crime (well, figuratively speaking), and the one person who could always brighten my day no matter what.I parked my car right next to one of the many luxurious cars lining the parking lot and stepped out, smoothing down my dress and taking a deep breath. The idea of seeing Emilia after so long made my heart race with excitement, but there was also a small knot of unease in my stomach. Mansions like this didn’t belong to ordinary people, and Emilia’s vague descriptions of her “boss” who turned out to be Alaric Castillo, was anything but ordinary. One of the most feared and ruthless Capo in the
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
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
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