I turn and walk away, leaving my heart behind with the woman I could never have.
That afternoon, I’m getting ready to call it a day when I receive a call to Alessandro's office. The summons isn't unusual. There are countless security details to go over daily.
As I walk the long corridor, I straighten my shoulders, slipping back into the role I've played my entire life.
A loyal soldier who follows orders without question.
The good dog who serves his master faithfully.
It's the only version of myself that might survive whatever waits behind that heavy oak door.
I knock once.
"Enter."
The moment I push the door open, I know something is wrong.
The air feels thick, charged with the kind of tension that precedes bloodshed.
Alessandro stands behind his desk, his posture rigid, face hard.
But it's the other figure in the room that makes my heart stutter.
Valentina sits in one of the leather chairs, her back to me.
Even so, I get the sense that she’s been crying.
"Close the door.” Alessandro’s voice makes the hairs on my neck stand on end.
I obey, closing the door while my mind races through possibilities.
Has Maksim discovered something?
Has the wedding been called off?
Is there a security threat?
"Do you take me for a fool, Cristian?"
The question hangs between us. Alessandro's dark eyes bore into me with cold fury.
Clearly, I’m in trouble.
And the only thing I’ve done wrong is love his sister, which means he must know about us.
Does he know about the baby too?
"No, Don Dante," I answer carefully.
"Then why would you think I wouldn't ever find out?" He slams his palm against the desk. "Did you think the walls of my own house wouldn't have eyes and ears?"
My blood turns to ice. Valentina's shoulders hunch further, but she doesn't turn.
"A servant saw you," Alessandro continues. "Kissing my sister like she belongs to you. My sister, who is promised to another man. My sister, whose marriage secures peace for our family."
I remain silent, knowing there is nothing I can say that won't make this worse.
Nothing that will save me now.
