That night, the long dining table of the Vitale mansion gleamed under the golden chandeliers. Crystal glasses caught the light, and the air was heavy with the scent of wine and roasted meat. Adrian sat across from his father, his posture relaxed but his eyes thoughtful.
Between courses, he finally spoke.
"Dad," he said carefully, "how did you get Mr Caruso on your side?"
Salvatore Vitale paused mid-sip, then slowly set his glass down. His lips curved into a knowing smirk.
"So, this time Leo Caruso is your target?"
Adrian's gaze didn't waver. He leaned back in his chair, voice calm but carrying weight.
"No. It's not like that. I want him on my side—without hurting him. Because he's her brother."
For a moment, silence hung heavy. The other capos at the table glanced at each other but kept their heads low.
Then Salvatore chuckled, low and amused, shaking his head.
"Adrian, you're truly my son. Always calculating… but this time, softer. Interesting."
Adrian's jaw tightened slightly.
"This isn't softness. It's a strategy. If I win Leo's trust, Valeria follows naturally. He's the shield she hides behind. If the shield lowers itself, she'll have nowhere else to run."
Salvatore raised his glass toward him.
"Smart. But remember, people like Leo don't bend easily. If you want him without breaking him… you'll have to play a long game."
Adrian's lips curved into a faint smile.
"I don't mind long games, Father. I always win them."
The next morning at school, the air was buzzing with the usual chatter, lockers slamming, and footsteps echoing down the hallways. Valeria sat in her class, focused on her notebook, while Adrian watching. His eyes weren't on her this time, but on Leo.
Leo Caruso walked with a few friends, laughing, his presence confident and easy. He wasn't the type to follow anyone blindly, and Adrian knew it. That made him more valuable.
As Leo passed, Adrian straightened and spoke casually, loud enough for him to hear.
"Caruso."
Leo slowed, his friends glancing between the two before continuing down the hall. Leo turned, hands in his pockets, eyebrow raised.
"What is it, Vitale?"
Adrian stepped closer, his tone light but edged with authority.
"You've got guts, standing up to me yesterday. Most people don't. I like that."
Leo gave a short laugh.
"Not everyone's afraid of you."
Adrian smirked, leaning in slightly.
"Maybe. But not everyone interests me either. You do. You've got loyalty, strength… you'd fit right in with my circle."
Leo's expression hardened.
"I don't want to be part of your circle."
Adrian didn't look disappointed. Instead, he chuckled softly, brushing past him with a pat on the shoulder.
"Not yet, Caruso. But you will. Think about it—you and I are on the same side? No one in this school could touch you. Or your sister."
At that, Leo stiffened. He turned to say something, but Adrian was already walking away, his smirk lingering like a shadow in Leo's mind.
That evening, after classes, Leo found himself in the school parking lot, waiting for his driver. A sleek black car rolled in—Adrian's. The tinted window slid down slowly, and Adrian leaned against the doorframe, wearing that same careless smile.
"Caruso," he called, voice calm but heavy with unspoken authority. "Hop in. I'll give you a ride."
Leo frowned. "No thanks. My car's coming."
Adrian tilted his head, as if amused by Leo's hesitation.
"Come on, Leo. Our fathers don't just sit at the same table for nothing. Business is family. And family… sticks together."
The words pressed harder than Leo expected. He knew his father respected Salvatore Vitale, maybe even feared him. Refusing outright could seem disrespectful—not just to Adrian, but to his father's business partner.
Reluctantly, Leo opened the door and slid inside. The leather smelled of expensive cologne; the interior was quiet, except for the low hum of the engine.
Adrian glanced at him, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"See? Not so bad. You should get used to this, Leo. You and I, we'll be spending more time together. Your father would approve."
Leo stayed silent, but inside his chest tightened. He didn't trust Adrian, not for a moment, but he couldn't outright push him away—not when their families were so tied.
Adrian leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"You're strong. Independent. I respect that. But in this school, strength means nothing unless it's backed by power. Stick with me, and I'll make sure no one dares lay a hand on you—or your sister."
Leo's jaw clenched at the mention of Valeria, but he forced himself not to react. Adrian's smile deepened. He knew he had struck the right nerve.
It was Saturday afternoon, the small café buzzing with soft chatter and the scent of roasted coffee beans. Valeria sat by the window, cupping her favourite hot chocolate between her hands, steam fogging the glass. For the first time in weeks, she felt a sliver of peace—no whispers about Adrian, no forced smiles with friends who only followed him now. Just quiet.
"Valeria!"
The familiar voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She turned, warmth in her expression when she spotted Leo at one of the corner tables. She rose, ready to greet him—until her gaze shifted slightly.
Adrian was there too.
Her smile faltered. The easy relief she'd felt evaporated.
Leo gestured eagerly. "Come, sit with us."
For a moment, she hesitated, her heart heavy. But refusing in front of Leo felt impossible. Slowly, she walked over and took the empty seat beside him.
Adrian's eyes locked on her the entire time, unreadable yet sharp. The corner of his mouth curved into a knowing smirk as he leaned forward slightly.
"You sure look gorgeous in all outfits," he murmured, his tone soft, pitched low—just enough for Valeria to hear.
Her fingers tightened around the edge of her cup, cheeks warming, though not from flattery.
Adrian's gaze dropped to her mug. This time, his voice rose just enough to include Leo, smooth and casual.
"So, you like hot chocolate."
Leo chuckled lightly, trying to ease the mood. "She's always been like that—ever since we were kids. If there's hot chocolate on the menu, Valeria won't even look at anything else."
Adrian smiled faintly, but his eyes never left Valeria.
"Good to know," he said, as if the detail was something important, something he'd store away for later.
Valeria shifted in her seat, uneasy. She couldn't tell if Adrian's words were harmless or a veiled message. All she knew was that her little sanctuary—the café, her warm drink, her moment of peace—was now tainted by his presence.
Leo waved the waiter over, ordering something for himself while Valeria quietly stirred her hot chocolate. She was trying to avoid Adrian's eyes, though she could feel them on her every move.
Adrian leaned back in his chair casually, the picture of ease, but his words were carefully aimed.
"You know, Leo, I was telling some of the guys the other day—your ideas at the meet-up were sharp. You've got that natural leadership thing. Not everyone does."
Leo blinked, surprised. "Me? Nah… I was just saying whatever came to my mind."
Adrian smirked, shaking his head. "That's the point. You think it's nothing, but people listen to you. That's rare."
Valeria glanced between them, frowning slightly. Meet-up? She opened her mouth, but Adrian smoothly cut in before she could question it.
"You'd be good at handling some of the boys. They respect you already. I mean…" He tilted his head, eyes flicking toward Valeria for a second, his tone dropping just enough to sound sincere. "You're not just Marco Caruso's son—you've got your own weight. I like that."
Leo shifted in his seat, uncertain but flattered. He rubbed the back of his neck. "I… I guess. But I don't really know if I—"
Adrian leaned forward, his voice calm but persuasive. "Don't overthink it. I wouldn't waste my time if I didn't see potential. Stick close to me, Leo, and you'll see how fast people start taking you seriously."
Valeria's chest tightened. She didn't like the way Adrian spoke, as if he were planting seeds inside her brother's head.
"Leo doesn't need that," she said quietly.
Adrian turned to her then, his smirk fading into a softer smile. "Relax, Valeria. I'm just pointing out his strengths. Isn't that what friends do?"
Leo chuckled nervously, trying to brush off the tension. "See? Nothing wrong with it."
But Adrian's eyes told a different story—sharp, calculating. To him, this was no casual conversation. It was the beginning of pulling Leo deeper into his orbit.
As Leo excused himself and disappeared toward the washroom, silence settled between Valeria and Adrian. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair, eyes fixed on the swirl of her hot chocolate.
When she finally brought the cup to her lips, a drop clung stubbornly to the corner of her mouth. Adrian's sharp gaze didn't miss it.
He leaned forward, his smirk curling with something darker. Before Valeria could react, his hand brushed her cheek, thumb grazing the corner of her lips. Her breath caught as he brought his thumb to his mouth—licking it slowly, deliberately.
Valeria froze, wide-eyed. "What… what were you doing?" Her voice trembled with shock.
Adrian tilted his head, feigning innocence. "What? I just removed something from you."
Her heart raced, her stomach twisting. "No… you—you licked it."
A chuckle escaped him, low and mocking. "Ahh, I was just tasting it. Hot chocolate, right? Sweet." His eyes lingered on her, almost daring her to protest further.
Valeria sat rigid in her seat, her shock leaving her speechless. Every part of her screamed to get up and run, yet her body felt frozen.
Just then, Leo returned from the washroom, unaware of the storm that had just passed. "What'd I miss?" he asked casually, sliding back into his chair.
Adrian leaned back, smirking as if nothing had happened. "Nothing. We were just talking."
Valeria clutched her cup tighter, forcing a faint smile for her brother's sake, but her mind replayed that moment over and over.