Captured by shadows

Luca's dark gaze pinned her in place, unreadable yet suffocating.

Alessandra swallowed, keeping her expression neutral, but her pulse was erratic.

She had always known Luca was sharp—ruthless, even—but the way he was looking at her now sent a chill down her spine. Like he already knew the truth.

Like he was daring her to lie.

"I went out for some air," she repeated, her voice measured.

Luca took another step closer.

"I didn't ask where you went," he said smoothly. "I asked where you were."

A dangerous distinction.

Alessandra forced herself to meet his gaze. "What are you implying?"

Luca studied her, his silence stretching long enough that she had to fight the urge to shift under his scrutiny.

Then, he exhaled softly, his lips curling into something that wasn't quite a smile.

"Matteo."

Her stomach clenched.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said.

Luca's eyes flickered over her, taking in everything—the slight redness on her lips, the flush that hadn't entirely left her skin, the subtle shake in her hands.

Luca had always been good at reading people. And right now, he was reading her like a book.

His smile didn't waver.

"Say it again," he murmured.

Alessandra's fingers curled into fists. "Say what?"

"That you don't know what I'm talking about."

The challenge in his voice made the hairs on the back of her neck rise.

He knows.

He doesn't have proof. But he knows.

Alessandra inhaled slowly. "Luca—"

"Did he fuck you?"

Her breath hitched.

The words were cold, deliberate. And for the first time, Luca's carefully controlled mask cracked—just for a second.

It wasn't jealousy she saw in his eyes.

It was something much worse.

Possession.

For Luca, this was about control.

Not love.

Not heartbreak.

But power.

Alessandra's nails dug into her palms. "Watch your mouth."

Luca let out a short laugh, tilting his head. "Hit a nerve?"

She said nothing.

Because what was there to say?

Everything between them had been an arrangement from the start. A strategic move. A merger between two powerful families.

And yet, Luca was looking at her like she had committed an unforgivable crime.

Even though Matteo hadn't done more than a kiss.

Like she had ruined something he considered his.

Alessandra straightened her spine. "It's late. I'm going to bed."

She turned on her heel, but before she could take a step, Luca's fingers wrapped around her wrist.

Not hard enough to hurt.

But hard enough to make her stop.

Her pulse jumped.

"You think this is over?" His voice was quiet. Deadly.

Alessandra's fingers twitched. "Let me go, Luca."

His grip tightened—not painfully, but with intent.

Then—

His lips brushed against her ear.

"You don't get to make a fool out of me, Alessandra."

A chill ran through her.

And then, just as suddenly, he let go.

Alessandra didn't hesitate. She walked up the stairs without looking back, forcing herself not to run.

Not to let Luca see the way his words had gotten to her.

But as soon as she reached her room, she locked the door behind her, pressing her back against it.

Her breathing was uneven. Her skin still tingled from Matteo's touch, but her mind was drowning in Luca's warning.

You don't get to make a fool out of me.

A war had just been declared.

And Alessandra wasn't sure if she had any way to win it.

Meanwhile…

Matteo leaned against his balcony at Villa Rosa, a cigarette burning between his fingers, untouched.

He exhaled slowly, staring out at the city lights.

He had expected Luca's call.

Had known it was coming the moment he watched Alessandra disappear into the night.

But what he hadn't expected—what unnerved him—was the way she had looked at him before she left.

Like she wanted to stay.

Like she knew there was no turning back.

A muscle ticked in Matteo's jaw.

He was no fool.

Luca wasn't going to let this go.

And if there was one thing he knew about his brother, it was that Luca Corsini never played fair.

Matteo crushed the cigarette between his fingers, watching the embers die.

If Luca wanted a war, he was ready.

Because Alessandra had already chosen.

And Matteo would burn the world before he let her go.