We turned slowly...… He stood a few steps away, glass in hand eyes sharp and curious. He looked... different…... Bigger frame.... Cleaner cut..... Younger, somehow.
If I didn't know better, I wouldn't believe he was older than Alessandro's father. Wealth did strange things to people.
Alessandro's jaw tightened just a little.
"Uncle."
The man smiled.
"So this is the woman that's given you a new drive."
The words sounded like a compliment, but something about his tone felt like a jab wrapped in silk.
Alessandro's arm slid around my possessively.
"This is Aria."
His uncle's eyes moved to me slowly.
He didn't smile, just studied me head to toe. I felt it...… that strange look ... like he was measuring something only he understood.
I kept my face calm.
Then he turned back to Alessandro.
"I was wondering what happened," he said lightly.
"You've been different these past months."
He took a sip of his drink.
"Focused...… Grounded.... Happier."
Alessandro didn't deny it.
"She's the reason." he said simply.
His uncle hummed, amused.
"Interesting."
His gaze flicked to me again this time shorter and sharper.
"You must be very special." he said.
"I try to be."
That made him chuckle.
"I like her." he said to Alessandro.
"She doesn't shake."
Alessandro's hand tightened at my waist.
"She doesn't need to."
For a second, something unreadable crossed his uncle's face.
Then he smiled again.
"Welcome back to our world Aria." he said.
"It's never boring."
As he walked away, Alessandro leaned closer to me.
"Stay close to me tonight."
I nodded quietly.
"I already am."
And this time, when his fingers laced with mine he didn't let go.
...….
Vargo's POV
I take a slow sip of my whisky, the ice tapping softly against the glass, as my eyes settle on them first... Father and my younger brother.
Standing side by side...…Talking...… Laughing quietly, like history was kind to all of us.
That sight alone is enough to stir old wounds.
I was the first son, the careful one, the one who followed every rule laid before him. I believed loyalty mattered, I believed blood meant something.
I believed that doing things right would protect me..... but it didn't.
My younger brother learned early what I refused to accept...…. that power doesn't reward decency... It rewards hunger.
He was cruel where I was patient, ruthless where I hesitated and Father saw himself in that darkness.
When the time came, they didn't just pass me over.
They turned on me.
I look away from them before the anger shows on my face.
My gaze drifts across the room...… that's when I see Alessandro, standing at the corner relaxed and confident, holding a woman close like he has nothing left to fear.
My fingers curl tighter around the glass.
That boy has no idea what it cost me to watch him grow into a man who now wears the future that was stolen from me.
A bastard child...…. born from secrets...…. now carrying the Marchetti name like it was always his.
And worse than that.....
He looks happy.
That is new.
I watch him pull her closer, his arm firm around her waist possessively.
So this is what changed him.
A woman.
I remember her from years ago quiet and observant. She disappeared once and now she's back.
Nothing in this family ever happens by accident.
My eyes linger on her longer than necessary. The calm in her posture the way she meets the world without fear.
That calm tells me everything.
She is his weakness.
And weaknesses don't stay hidden forever.
I've waited years, watched Father toast victories that should have been mine. I smiled when required, swallowed rage when silence was safer.
But this?
This happiness of his?
It simplifies things.
People grow careless when they're happy. They stop watching shadows and forget enemies don't disappear.... they wait.
I lift my glass again taking a slow sip, my eyes returning to Alessandro as he laughs freely unaware.
Enjoy it.
Enjoy her.
Because now that I know what your weakness is, I know exactly how to destroy you.
...….
Aria's POV
My head was on his lap when the car stopped.
"That was fast." I murmured sitting up.
He didn't answer instead he stepped out and came around to open my door himself. Antonio stared straight ahead like we didn't exist.
I chuckled softly and took his hand cold air hit my skin the moment I stepped out.
"Where are we?" I asked.
He squeezed my fingers once.
"Come."
Then I saw it.
The playground.
I stopped walking.
"No way...….. " I breathed.
He looked at me then, really looked... Like he was watching my reaction not the place.
"You remember." He said.
"How can I forget?" I scoffed softly.
"You nearly broke my ankle that night."
He smirked.
"You ran too fast."
"You chased me."
"You enjoyed it."
I laughed under my breath as he led me to the swings. Without asking he sat and pulled me between his legs, my back against his chest. One arm came around my waist the other reached out and pushed lightly.
The swing moved slow and steady, chin rested on me as I felt his breath against my skin.
"You were so annoying." I said.
"Always showing up everywhere."
"And you pretended you didn't like it."he bit back.
"You kidnapped me here." I added.
"I invited you."
"You dragged me."
"You didn't scream."
He bent and kissed the side of my neck.
"You still do that." I whispered.
"Do what?"
"Act like nothing changed."
"Some things didn't," he said quietly
The wind picked up and I shivered without meaning to and he noticed immediately.
Without a word he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders, pulling it close around me.
I looked up at him.
"You'll be cold."
"I'm fine."
"You always say that."
"And you always worry."
I smiled.
He pulled me closer if that's even possible, kissing my cheeks and inhaling my scent.
"You used to talk a lot here." he said.
"I mostly listened."
"You're lying."
"I liked the sound of your voice."
His thumb brushed my jaw, then he kissed my neck again like a habit he never forgot.
"You still push people away when you're scared." he added.
"And you still think you can fix everything."
He smiled faintly.
"I try."
I reached for his hand and laced my fingers through
"And you're doing a very good job." I beamed.
"Aria." he said.
"Yes?"
"I'm not going anywhere."
I nodded pressing my self into his arms.
"Good." I whispered.
"Because I'm tired of losing you."