CHAPTER SIX
Blood Makes Promises
The west wing felt different.
Not safer. Never safer.
Closer.
Seraphina noticed it immediately the first night she slept there. The walls were thicker. The silence heavier. Alessandro's presence pressed in from everywhere even when he was nowhere in sight. His guards stood farther back but watched harder. This was not protection. This was possession refined into architecture.
She lay awake until nearly dawn, staring at the ceiling, replaying the moment he had pulled her down during the gunfire. The way his body had curved around hers. Instinctive. Violent. Protective.
Too real.
She rose before anyone came for her and dressed herself. No dresses today. She chose black trousers and a fitted blouse. Armor disguised as elegance.
When she stepped into the hallway, Matteo was already there.
You are early, he said.
So is the day.
He nodded once. He no longer pretended to dislike her. That worried her more.
The office was quiet when she entered. Alessandro stood at the desk, sleeves rolled up again, forearms tense as he studied a map marked with red lines.
He did not look up.
You should not wander alone yet.
I was escorted.
Matteo lingered by the door. Alessandro flicked his fingers. Matteo left.
The door shut.
Only then did Alessandro look at her.
Did you sleep.
Some.
That was a lie.
He accepted it anyway.
Ferraro is dead.
She felt the words before she felt the relief.
Executed.
Clean.
No trial.
No explanation.
That was expected.
She nodded. Then said quietly, He would have kept running.
Yes.
And he would have come back.
Yes.
Silence settled between them.
I am sorry, Alessandro said suddenly.
Her head snapped up.
For what.
For involving you so directly.
She searched his face for deception. Found none. Found tension. Found restraint pulled too tight.
You warned me, she said. I chose to stay.
You should not have had to choose.
This is not your world, he continued. I dragged you into it.
She stepped closer.
You did not drag me. I walked in carrying matches.
His lips pressed together.
That is what scares me.
Good.
He exhaled slowly.
There is more.
She felt it instantly. The shift. The weight.
The ledger is not just insurance, Alessandro said. It is leverage across borders. Politicians. Banks. Families older than mine.
I know.
Your father planned for war.
He planned for survival.
Those are the same thing here.
She leaned against the desk.
Then you know what happens next.
He nodded.
They will come.
Who.
Everyone.
A cold calm settled in her chest.
Then we are running out of time.
No, he said quietly. We are out of patience.
He stepped closer. Too close.
I need to know if you are with me.
She met his gaze without flinching.
You already know the answer.
Say it.
She did not hesitate.
I am with you.
Something shifted in him then. Not relief. Not triumph.
Commitment.
Good.
That night, she learned what it meant.
The meeting took place underground.
A stone room beneath the estate with no windows and one way in. Six men arrived separately. Armed. Suspicious. Dangerous.
Seraphina stood beside Alessandro at the head of the table.
Not behind him.
Beside.
That alone sent a message sharper than any threat.
The men spoke in half truths and veiled insults. Territory disputes. Lost shipments. Whispers of documents. No one said ledger aloud.
They all looked at her.
Alessandro let them.
My father kept records, Seraphina said calmly when the moment came. He believed secrets should never belong to one man alone.
One of the men laughed.
And where are these secrets now.
Alive, she replied. So long as I am.
A murmur rippled.
Alessandro placed his hand over hers.
Anyone who harms her harms me, he said. Anyone who threatens her answers to me.
One man leaned forward.
You are risking too much for a woman.
Alessandro smiled.
You underestimate the cost of replacing her.
The message landed.
Afterward, the room emptied slowly. Each man leaving with more fear than he arrived with.
When the last door closed, Alessandro exhaled sharply.
You were flawless, he said.
So were you.
He turned to her.
Do you understand what you have just done.
She nodded.
I declared war.
You declared alignment.
Same thing.
He studied her face.
You could still walk away.
She laughed softly.
Now.
You would let me go.
If you asked.
She stepped closer.
I am not asking.
He reached for her without thinking. His hand stopped inches from her waist.
Say it again.
I am not leaving.
His fingers closed around her waist.
The contact was electric. Dangerous.
This is not safety, Seraphina.
I know.
This is obsession.
She leaned in.
Do not pretend you are immune.
His jaw tightened.
I am not pretending.
The distance vanished.
The kiss was not gentle.
It was not soft.
It was collision.
Years of restraint cracked in one violent moment. His hand slid into her hair. Hers fisted his shirt. Teeth grazed skin. Breath broke.
It was hunger. Control snapping. Two dangerous people choosing each other in the worst possible way.
He pulled back first. Breathing hard. Eyes dark.
This changes everything.
It already did.
He rested his forehead against hers.
If I lose you.
You will not.
You do not know that.
She lifted his chin.
Then do not lose me.
A knock shattered the moment.
Matteo's voice. Urgent.
Boss.
Alessandro stepped back, regaining control like armor snapping into place.
Enter.
Matteo's face was grim.
They found the copy.
Seraphina stiffened.
What copy.
Your father made two, Matteo said.
One is moving through Rome.
Alessandro swore quietly.
Who has it.
We do not know yet.
Seraphina met Alessandro's gaze.
They are baiting us.
Yes.
They want you.
Alessandro turned to Matteo.
Double security. No movement without me.
Matteo nodded and left.
Alessandro faced her again.
This is the point where smart people disappear.
She smiled faintly.
I have never been smart.
He stepped closer again, slower this time.
If they take you from me.
They will not.
If they try.
His voice dropped.
I will burn everything.
She believed him.
She reached for his hand.
Then let us make sure they never get close enough to try.
Outside, the house prepared for war.
Inside, two enemies turned allies stood at the edge of something darker than love.
Blood made promises.
And both of them were already bleeding.