Captured by shadows

Alessandra's Room – Corsini Estate

A sharp knock echoed against the door.

Luca.

Alessandra's breath hitched.

Her heart slammed against her ribs as her fingers curled into the sheets.

Matteo stood just behind her, his presence like a storm cloud at her back—dark, charged, and impossible to ignore.

"Alessandra," Luca's voice came through the door. Calm. Controlled. But edged with something dangerous.

He knew.

He might not have known Matteo was inside, but he knew something was wrong.

Matteo tilted his head, watching her.

Daring her.

If she opened that door, she would be walking into Luca's trap.

If she didn't, Luca would force his way in anyway.

Either way?

She was screwed.

Alessandra took a slow breath, her mind racing.

She turned to Matteo, voice barely above a whisper.

"You need to go."

Matteo smirked.

Of course, the bastard smirked.

He lifted a hand, tracing his fingers down her arm—a slow, infuriating touch that made her shiver.

"And if I don't?" he murmured.

Her jaw clenched.

Another knock—firmer this time.

Matteo leaned in, his lips brushing her ear.

"Answer him, bella," he whispered. "Before he gets suspicious."

She swallowed hard.

Her body was still burning from his touch, but she forced herself to turn toward the door.

She took a steadying breath and opened it.

Luca stood on the other side.

Tall. Imposing. Utterly unreadable.

His cold eyes scanned the room behind her.

Looking for something.

Or someone.

Alessandra forced a small, tired smile.

"Luca," she said smoothly. "It's late."

He didn't answer.

His gaze dragged over her.

The slow, assessing way he looked at her made her skin prickle.

"Are you alone?" he asked.

Alessandra's fingers tightened on the door handle.

Every instinct screamed at her to lie.

To act as if nothing was out of place.

But Luca Corsini wasn't a man who fell for deception easily.

Her mind raced.

If she hesitated for even a second too long—

His gaze flickered past her.

Toward the closet.

Alessandra's stomach dropped.

Matteo.

Still inside.

Still watching.

Still waiting to see what she would do.

Her pulse thundered as Luca took a slow step forward.

She had one shot.

One chance to make sure Matteo didn't get caught.

So she did the one thing she never thought she'd do.

She stepped forward—closing the distance between her and Luca.

Her hand brushed his chest.

A small, intimate touch. A distraction.

His gaze snapped back to hers, and for a fraction of a second—he faltered.

She knew this was dangerous.

She knew Luca could see through games just as well as Matteo.

But if she let him into that room?

If he found Matteo?

This would end in blood.

So instead—

She tilted her head, feigning exhaustion. "Luca, can we talk tomorrow?"

His jaw ticked.

Her fingers trailed down his shirt—just a fraction, but enough to make him notice.

And then, finally—

He exhaled.

His shoulders relaxed just a little.

It worked.

Luca studied her for another moment, then finally, he nodded.

"Tomorrow."

Without another word, he turned and disappeared down the hallway.

Alessandra waited until his footsteps faded completely.

Then—she shut the door.

She exhaled.

The tension in her body unraveled—just slightly.

And then—

A slow clap.

Her eyes snapped up.

Matteo leaned against the closet doorframe, arms crossed.

A devilish, dark smirk on his lips.

"Well played, bella," he murmured. "Very well played."

She clenched her fists.

"Get. Out."

Matteo chuckled.

He moved toward her without hesitation.

And she hated that she didn't back away.

His fingers brushed a strand of hair from her face, his dark eyes locking onto hers.

"You just saved me, cara," he murmured, voice low. "Tell me—did it feel good?"

Her throat tightened.

She hated him.

Hated that he made her feel this alive.

Hated that even now, with her body still trembling, she couldn't stop wanting him.

Matteo leaned in, his lips inches from hers.

"You can lie to yourself, Alessandra," he whispered. "But not to me."

And with that—

He was gone.

Leaving her drowning in the mess he'd made.