"The car was sleek and luxurious, the interior smelling of leather and power. Clara slid into the back seat, her heart pounding in her chest. Alessandro was sitting across from her, his face unreadable. He looked even more imposing in the dimly lit car, his presence filling the small space.' Clara,' he said, his voice low and controlled. 'Thank you for coming.''What do you want, Alessandro?' Clara asked, her voice trembling slightly. 'Why is this man here?'Alessandro's eyes flickered to the man in the front seat, then back to Clara. 'Marco is here to ensure your safety,' he said. 'I wouldn't want anything to happen to you.'Clara scoffed. 'My safety? You send a man in a suit to escort me to a mysterious meeting, and you expect me to believe you're concerned about my safety?'Alessandro's jaw tightened. 'I know this isn't ideal,' he said. 'But I needed to talk to you. In private.''About what?' Clara asked, her eyes narrowing. 'About your involvement with these men? About whatever it is you're hiding?'Alessandro sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. 'It's complicated, Clara,' he said. 'And it's dangerous. That's why I told you to stay away from me.''But I didn't listen,' Clara said, her voice softening. 'Because I wanted to know you. I wanted to understand you.'Alessandro's gaze softened, a flicker of something vulnerable crossing his face. 'And what if you don't like what you find?' he asked, his voice barely above a whisper."
