"Alessandro's eyes narrowed, his body tensing. His father had crossed a line. Clara was off-limits.'Don't you dare threaten her,' Alessandro said, his voice a low growl. 'She has nothing to do with this.''Everything has to do with this, Alessandro,' Salvatore countered, his voice dripping with venom. 'You are my son, my heir. And I will not allow you to be distracted by some insignificant little girl.''She's not insignificant,' Alessandro snapped, his control finally snapping. 'She's more than you could ever understand.''Then prove it,' Salvatore challenged, his eyes blazing with anger. 'Prove that she's worth risking everything for. Prove that you're willing to choose her over your family.'Alessandro stared at his father, his mind racing. He knew what Salvatore was trying to do. He was trying to force him to make a choice, to choose between Clara and the family. And Alessandro knew that he couldn't do that. He couldn't betray his family, but he couldn't lose Clara either.'I won't play your games,' Alessandro said, his voice regaining its composure. 'Clara is my business, and I will handle it my way. But I swear to you, if you so much as lay a finger on her, you will regret it.'He stood up, his eyes burning with a cold fury. 'Don't underestimate me, Father,' he said, his voice low and dangerous. 'I may not be as ruthless as you, but I am more than capable of protecting what's mine.'He turned and walked out of the office, leaving Salvatore seething with rage. Alessandro knew he had just declared war, but he didn't care. He would do whatever it took to protect Clara, even if it meant going against his own father."
