Gianna comes right up to me and flashes a grin.
“Are you ready to go spend my cousin’s money?” My mouth opens—but nothing comes out. She laughs again. “He says you need everything.”
She drags out the word everything, eyebrows wiggling.
All I can do is nod.
Alessandro steps up beside me, placing a subtle hand at my back, grounding me.
“Elena,” he says quietly, “this is my cousin Gianna.”
Gia throws her hands up dramatically. “Hi!”
“And this,” he continues, nodding to the large man with the scar, “is Nico. Her bodyguard.”
Nico gives a single chin lift. It’s somehow more intimidating than a smile.
Before I can respond, another man enters the foyer — younger-looking than Alessandro but with the same level of confidence.
“Good,” Alessandro says. “You’re here.”
He gently pulls me aside, lowering his voice.
“This is Rocco.” The younger man offers a respectful nod. “He’s going to be your guard. You never go anywhere without him. Understand?”
I nod.
“You trust him,” Alessandro continues. “Always. He’ll keep you safe.”
Rocco’s voice is warm, steady. “Ma’am.”
My heart races. This is real. This world is mine now.
Alessandro steps closer and presses a soft kiss to my forehead — a gesture so unexpected my breath catches.
“Have fun,” he murmurs.
Gianna squeals. “Oh, don’t worry. She will.”
We start toward the door when Alessandro calls sharply, “Rocco.”
Rocco stops instantly.
Turns.
Alessandro says something too low for me to hear.
But Rocco’s response carries through the room clear and unwavering:
“With my life.”
A shiver slides down my spine.
Chapter 10
The door shuts behind Elena, Rocco, and Gianna. And I hate it. I shouldn’t. She’s safe. She’s with family. She’s with a bodyguard I handpicked myself—one of the best. But the second I can’t see her; something shifts under my ribs. A tight, restless ache I don’t want to examine too closely.
I make it to my office. Sit down. Try to breathe. Try to work. I stare at the paperwork for five seconds before I’m pulling out my phone.
