The night was restless — a storm brewing both in the sky and inside Alessia Romano's heart.
She stood on the balcony of her mansion, phone in hand, rereading the last message from the unknown number.
"Even warriors deserve to smile, my queen."
She sighed, slipping the phone into her pocket. Something about that message always felt too personal, too close.
Her instincts had been uneasy all evening. The estate was too quiet. Her men, too still. She turned, heading back inside — and that's when it happened.
The lights flickered, once… twice… then darkness swallowed the room.
"Security!" she barked, pulling the gun from her thigh holster. No answer.
Her steps were silent as she moved down the hall, the faint sound of rain tapping against the windows. Then — a sudden rush of footsteps behind her.
She spun around. A masked man lunged.
One shot. Two. Both missed as another figure came from behind, pinning her arms before she could react. She slammed her head back, hitting someone's jaw, but there were too many.
A needle pricked her neck — the world went hazy.
The last thing she heard was a voice, deep and steady, whispering,
"Forgive me, Alessia."
When she woke, the air smelled of expensive cologne and sea salt.
Not ropes this time — soft silk bound her wrists.
She was lying on a massive bed in a room she didn't recognize: glass walls, a fireplace, shelves of old Italian books.
Not a warehouse. Not a hideout.
A home.
Her eyes darted toward the door — locked. She pulled against the ties, fury rising in her chest.
"Where the hell am I?" she hissed. "Whoever did this is dead."
The door opened with a quiet click.
He walked in.
Lorenzo De Luca.
Alessia froze, rage and disbelief flashing across her face. "You—"
"Me," he said calmly, shutting the door behind him. "You're safe now."
She laughed bitterly. "Safe? You drugged me and dragged me into your house. Tell me, Lorenzo, is this your way of saving someone?"
He didn't answer right away. He walked closer, hands in his pockets, his voice steady and low.
"You were the target tonight. They weren't coming for your father. They were coming for you."
She glared at him. "Don't lie to me."
"Your uncle sold your location," he said flatly. "He hired men to take you out so he could inherit your father's empire before the year ends."
Her heartbeat faltered.
"No… my uncle would never—"
"He would," Lorenzo interrupted, stepping closer. "And he did."
Alessia's eyes hardened. "Why would you care? You and your father have been trying to destroy us for decades. Why betray your own blood?"
Lorenzo's jaw tightened. For a moment, his gaze darkened — full of old pain.
"Because not everyone deserves to die for their family's sins."
"You're lying!" she snapped. "You're using me—"
He cut her off, voice cold but controlled. "Believe what you want. But your father is in danger. I'll make sure he lives… if you agree to my condition."
Her tone sharpened. "I won't accept anything from you. I'll never work with you. I hate you."
He leaned in slightly, smirking — a dangerous kind of amusement in his eyes.
"Are you sure you hate me, miss?"
She glared up at him. "Untie me and I'll show you exactly how much."
"My condition is simple," he said, his voice dropping. "You don't try to run from me. That's all."
Her chin lifted in defiance. "Run away from you? I don't run from people, Lorenzo. I make them run from me."
He moved closer until their faces were only inches apart, his tone a low growl.
"I'm not them. And trust me, Alessia… you don't want to see the other side of me."
Thunder cracked outside, echoing his words. For a second, she saw something raw flicker in his eyes — not anger, but a strange, dangerous care.
Neither of them spoke. The silence burned like lightning between them.
Then he straightened, calm once again.
"Rest, Alessia. Tomorrow, you'll understand why I did this."
"You think you can cage me," she said coldly. "But you have no idea who I am."
He paused at the door, his voice low, steady, final.
"Oh, I do. That's why you're here."
And with that, Lorenzo De Luca locked the door behind him — leaving Alessia Romano fuming, confused, and dangerously curious about the man she swore she hated.