95Rosa’s POV The kitchen was quiet except for the soft hum of the refrigerator and the occasional clatter of Irene’s utensils. I leaned against the counter, cradling my coffee, still trying to shake the haze of sleep. Seeing Allesio standing there, pouring himself a glass of orange juice like he had all the time in the world, was not part of my plan for a peaceful morning.He looked too at ease, too perfect for this early hour. The way his hair fell slightly tousled, paired with his usual cocky smirk, made him look like he’d just stepped out of a dream—and not necessarily the good kind. I wasn’t ready for him.I tried to ignore him, focusing instead on the comforting warmth of my mug. If I didn’t engage, maybe he’d just go away. No such luck.“Good morning to you, too,” he said, his voice low but carrying just enough amusement to make me clench my jaw.I refused to look at him, taking a long sip of my coffee instead. Silence stretched between us, but I felt his gaze, sharp and probi
96Allesio’s POV The sun was still rising, filtering light through the curtains and windows of the mansion. I was walking to Alaric’s office but stopped dead in my tracks when Emilia turned the corner, a scowl on her face as she stormed towards me. I hadn’t even had my second cup of coffee yet, and there she was, her arms crossed, her face set in that unmistakable look that screamed ‘I know what you’re up to’.“I need to talk to you,” she said, her voice low but firm.“Good morning to you, too,” I replied, leaning against the wall with a lazy grin. “What’s on your mind, sunshine?”“Cut the crap, Allesio,” she snapped. “What’s with you and Rosa?”The grin faltered. I straightened slightly, crossing my arms to mirror her stance. “What about me and Rosa?”“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” she shot back. “You’ve been… nice to her.”“And that’s a problem because…?” I prompted, raising an eyebrow.She took a step closer, her tone dropping even lower. “I don’t trust you. Not with h
97Rosa’s POV The air was sharp with the morning chill as I stepped out of the mansion and into the waiting car. My father’s message had been clear—today was important, a negotiation that could strengthen our family’s alliances. It was rare for him to call on me for something this significant, but I knew better than to question his motives. In our world, trust wasn’t given lightly, and every move had a purpose.The driver didn’t make small talk, which suited me just fine. My mind was already preoccupied with the task ahead. The meeting was with the Russo syndicate, a group that had built its empire on loyalty and calculated risk. My father wanted an agreement that would mutually benefit both families—sharing resources, protection, and, most importantly, influence.When we pulled up to the sleek high-rise downtown where the Russo family operated, I straightened my shoulders and adjusted my jacket. I wasn’t here to charm them, though it wouldn’t hurt to show confidence. Negotiation was
98Allesio’s POVI walked into the living room, heading to the bar to take a drink but paused at the person I found in the living room, standing by the grand piano, her fingers trailing along the polished wood. She didn’t notice me at first, her expression distant, like her thoughts were worlds away. The soft glow from the chandelier sjone om her face and made her skin seem a little bit golden, and for a moment, I just watched her.“You know, most people actually play the piano instead of just admiring it,” I said, leaning casually against the doorframe.Rosa turned, her eyes narrowing as she registered my presence. “Most people aren’t me,” she shot back, her tone sharp but not unfriendly.“True,” I admitted, stepping into the room. “You’re definitely not like most people.”She rolled her eyes, but I caught the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips. Progress.“What do you want, Allesio?” she asked, crossing her arms.“Can’t I just enjoy some light conversation?” I replied, my t
99Rosa’s POV I ran my hand through my hair, not minding that I would get it rough that way. All I could think of was how I was going to get my father’s latest assignment done. And a certain, hot man that had been plaguing my mind ever since that damned one night stand.“Pass the salt,” I said, not looking up as I reached across the table. My eyes were focused on my phone, and while that was a bad habit while we were all having dinner, I didn’t think anyone cared in particular.Before my hand even got close, the small silver shaker was already in front of me, Allesio sliding it into place with a faint smirk. “Always in a rush, Rosa.”I narrowed my eyes at him but didn’t say anything, my fingers brushing against the cool metal. “Thanks,” I muttered.“Anything for you,” he said, and though his tone was light, the words carried an undercurrent I couldn’t ignore. This had been going on for a few days now. Him helping me out when with the littlest things like this. Any other woman would h
100Allesio’s POV “Allesio!”I halted on my tracks, turning around to look at her. She was hurrying after me, one hand fiddling with the low neckline of her dress. Her hair looked even worse that it was a few minutes back when I had left her. It looked like she had ran her hands through it and tugged at it a million times after I had left her there.“Rosa,” I murmured, giving her a tight smile. She stood in front of me, her mouth opening and closing like she didn’t know exactly what to say.“I’m sorry,” she said at last in a weak voice I didn’t like at all. I took a step closer to her.“For what?” I asked her with a raised eyebrow. She gulped visibly.“You were just trying to be nice and polite to me and I…I blew you off,” she murmured, avoiding my gaze.“I wasn’t just trying to be nice or polite to you, Rosa,” I murmured back, rubbing my face. “I like you. I really like you and you’re making it feel like it’s a bad thing to like like you. I don’t understand why.”“You shouldn’t,” sh
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
100Allesio’s POV “Allesio!”I halted on my tracks, turning around to look at her. She was hurrying after me, one hand fiddling with the low neckline of her dress. Her hair looked even worse that it was a few minutes back when I had left her. It looked like she had ran her hands through it and tugged at it a million times after I had left her there.“Rosa,” I murmured, giving her a tight smile. She stood in front of me, her mouth opening and closing like she didn’t know exactly what to say.“I’m sorry,” she said at last in a weak voice I didn’t like at all. I took a step closer to her.“For what?” I asked her with a raised eyebrow. She gulped visibly.“You were just trying to be nice and polite to me and I…I blew you off,” she murmured, avoiding my gaze.“I wasn’t just trying to be nice or polite to you, Rosa,” I murmured back, rubbing my face. “I like you. I really like you and you’re making it feel like it’s a bad thing to like like you. I don’t understand why.”“You shouldn’t,” sh
99Rosa’s POV I ran my hand through my hair, not minding that I would get it rough that way. All I could think of was how I was going to get my father’s latest assignment done. And a certain, hot man that had been plaguing my mind ever since that damned one night stand.“Pass the salt,” I said, not looking up as I reached across the table. My eyes were focused on my phone, and while that was a bad habit while we were all having dinner, I didn’t think anyone cared in particular.Before my hand even got close, the small silver shaker was already in front of me, Allesio sliding it into place with a faint smirk. “Always in a rush, Rosa.”I narrowed my eyes at him but didn’t say anything, my fingers brushing against the cool metal. “Thanks,” I muttered.“Anything for you,” he said, and though his tone was light, the words carried an undercurrent I couldn’t ignore. This had been going on for a few days now. Him helping me out when with the littlest things like this. Any other woman would h
98Allesio’s POVI walked into the living room, heading to the bar to take a drink but paused at the person I found in the living room, standing by the grand piano, her fingers trailing along the polished wood. She didn’t notice me at first, her expression distant, like her thoughts were worlds away. The soft glow from the chandelier sjone om her face and made her skin seem a little bit golden, and for a moment, I just watched her.“You know, most people actually play the piano instead of just admiring it,” I said, leaning casually against the doorframe.Rosa turned, her eyes narrowing as she registered my presence. “Most people aren’t me,” she shot back, her tone sharp but not unfriendly.“True,” I admitted, stepping into the room. “You’re definitely not like most people.”She rolled her eyes, but I caught the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips. Progress.“What do you want, Allesio?” she asked, crossing her arms.“Can’t I just enjoy some light conversation?” I replied, my t
97Rosa’s POV The air was sharp with the morning chill as I stepped out of the mansion and into the waiting car. My father’s message had been clear—today was important, a negotiation that could strengthen our family’s alliances. It was rare for him to call on me for something this significant, but I knew better than to question his motives. In our world, trust wasn’t given lightly, and every move had a purpose.The driver didn’t make small talk, which suited me just fine. My mind was already preoccupied with the task ahead. The meeting was with the Russo syndicate, a group that had built its empire on loyalty and calculated risk. My father wanted an agreement that would mutually benefit both families—sharing resources, protection, and, most importantly, influence.When we pulled up to the sleek high-rise downtown where the Russo family operated, I straightened my shoulders and adjusted my jacket. I wasn’t here to charm them, though it wouldn’t hurt to show confidence. Negotiation was
96Allesio’s POV The sun was still rising, filtering light through the curtains and windows of the mansion. I was walking to Alaric’s office but stopped dead in my tracks when Emilia turned the corner, a scowl on her face as she stormed towards me. I hadn’t even had my second cup of coffee yet, and there she was, her arms crossed, her face set in that unmistakable look that screamed ‘I know what you’re up to’.“I need to talk to you,” she said, her voice low but firm.“Good morning to you, too,” I replied, leaning against the wall with a lazy grin. “What’s on your mind, sunshine?”“Cut the crap, Allesio,” she snapped. “What’s with you and Rosa?”The grin faltered. I straightened slightly, crossing my arms to mirror her stance. “What about me and Rosa?”“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” she shot back. “You’ve been… nice to her.”“And that’s a problem because…?” I prompted, raising an eyebrow.She took a step closer, her tone dropping even lower. “I don’t trust you. Not with h
95Rosa’s POV The kitchen was quiet except for the soft hum of the refrigerator and the occasional clatter of Irene’s utensils. I leaned against the counter, cradling my coffee, still trying to shake the haze of sleep. Seeing Allesio standing there, pouring himself a glass of orange juice like he had all the time in the world, was not part of my plan for a peaceful morning.He looked too at ease, too perfect for this early hour. The way his hair fell slightly tousled, paired with his usual cocky smirk, made him look like he’d just stepped out of a dream—and not necessarily the good kind. I wasn’t ready for him.I tried to ignore him, focusing instead on the comforting warmth of my mug. If I didn’t engage, maybe he’d just go away. No such luck.“Good morning to you, too,” he said, his voice low but carrying just enough amusement to make me clench my jaw.I refused to look at him, taking a long sip of my coffee instead. Silence stretched between us, but I felt his gaze, sharp and probi
94Allesio’s POVThe smell of fresh coffee hit me as I entered the kitchen. Irene was already there, bustling around with her usual efficiency, her movements fluid and practiced as she diced vegetables and stirred something in a skillet. “Good morning,” she greeted me and I shot her a smile even though she wasn’t looking.“Good morning,” I replied.I poured myself a glass of orange juice, the cool tang of it refreshing after last night’s long, tense dinner. I hadn’t slept much, thoughts of Alaric’s plan and Rosa swirling in my head like a storm I couldn’t quite escape. Rosa, with her sharp tongue and the fire in her eyes, had occupied more of my thoughts than I cared to admit.As if summoned by my thoughts, the door to the kitchen creaked open, and there she was. Rosa, her hair slightly mussed from sleep, wearing an oversized shirt that brushed just above her knees. She looked surprised to see me, but her expression quickly settled into a mask of indifference.“Morning,” Irene chirped
93Rosa’s POV The guest room smelled like lavender, a scent I recognized as distinctly Emilia’s. Her love for all things calming and soft hadn’t changed. I sat cross-legged on her bed, my suitcase tucked neatly in the corner. Emilia shuffled around the room, fussing with pillows and blankets like she thought I’d complain about the arrangements.“You don’t have to try so hard,” I teased, a smirk playing on my lips.She glanced over her shoulder, her expression caught between a laugh and a frown. “I’m not trying hard. I’m just making sure you’re comfortable.”“Emmy,” I said, using the nickname I’d called her since we were kids, “you could stick me on a couch and call it a night. I’d survive.”She rolled her eyes but finally stopped adjusting the already-fluffed pillows. “Fine. But don’t complain if you get cold.”“Noted.”She climbed into bed beside me, curling her legs under the blanket. For a moment, we sat in silence, the dim glow of the bedside lamp reflecting on the walls. It felt
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