CHAPTER TWELVE
Pressure Points
The house did not sleep.
It watched.
Seraphina felt it the moment dawn crept in, pale and unforgiving. The anchored estate was louder than the safe houses had been. Not in sound but in presence. Men everywhere. Eyes everywhere. Loyalty stretched thin like wire pulled too tight.
Someone here was a traitor.
And everyone knew it.
She dressed deliberately this time. Not soft. Not decorative. Structured lines. Dark colors. Clothes that said I see you before you see me.
When she stepped into the main hall, conversations dipped.
Good.
Alessandro stood near the table, already in command mode. Calm. Focused. Deadly efficient. He looked like a man who had swallowed his fear and turned it into steel.
Matteo stood a few feet behind him.
Professional distance.
Forced.
Their eyes met briefly. Nothing passed between them. And somehow that was worse.
Alessandro turned.
You will stay here today.
She raised an eyebrow.
That was not the agreement.
This is not a debate.
You said I would stay in your sight.
I am correcting myself.
She stepped closer, lowering her voice.
You are tightening control because you feel it slipping.
His jaw flexed.
I am tightening control because someone is selling my moves to Rome.
And isolating me helps how.
Because you are the pressure point.
She crossed her arms.
Then use me.
A murmur rippled through the room.
Matteo stiffened.
Alessandro's gaze sharpened.
Explain.
If someone inside is leaking information, they will react to proximity, she said. Fear exposure. Opportunity. Put me where everyone can see me. Watch who watches back.
You want to flush a rat by making yourself visible.
Yes.
That is reckless.
So is pretending you can protect me by hiding me.
Silence.
Then Matteo spoke.
It would work.
Alessandro turned slowly.
I did not ask you.
I know.
But she is right.
Alessandro's eyes flicked between them.
You both seem very aligned today.
Seraphina did not look at Matteo.
This is not alignment. This is logic.
Alessandro stared at her for a long moment.
Then he nodded once.
Fine.
Her breath caught.
Public appearance. Controlled environment. He continued. You stay within range. Matteo stays with you.
She froze.
Alessandro's eyes cut to Matteo.
Every second.
Understood, Matteo said quietly.
Seraphina swallowed.
This was not what she expected.
This was worse.
The gathering was subtle. Midday. Business adjacent. Allies. Suppliers. A reason to gather without raising suspicion.
Seraphina sat at Alessandro's right hand.
Matteo stood behind her.
Close enough that she could feel his presence like gravity.
Every movement was watched.
Every glance cataloged.
She felt it then.
Someone was wrong.
A man near the far column. Too still. Too attentive when she laughed softly at something Alessandro said. His gaze lingered a fraction too long.
She leaned back slightly.
Alessandro, she murmured. Column. Left.
His expression did not change.
I see him.
Matteo shifted subtly behind her.
The man noticed.
And panicked.
It was almost imperceptible. A flicker. A tightening.
He excused himself.
Too fast.
Alessandro stood.
Excuse me.
The room froze.
Matteo moved instantly.
Seraphina rose too.
No, Alessandro said sharply.
She ignored him.
If I am the bait, I am not sitting quietly while you reel.
Alessandro swore under his breath and followed.
They caught the man near the corridor.
He bolted.
Matteo took him down hard.
The sound of bone hitting marble echoed.
Guards flooded in.
Alessandro crouched in front of the man, calm as death.
Who are you selling to.
Silence.
Alessandro smiled.
Matteo.
Matteo knelt, placing a hand on the man's shoulder.
Speak.
The man broke.
Rome, he sobbed. They said they would spare my family.
Alessandro straightened.
They lied.
He turned to the guards.
Remove him.
The man screamed as he was dragged away.
Seraphina stood frozen.
That was it.
No hesitation.
No mercy.
Alessandro turned to her.
Are you satisfied.
No.
But I understand you now.
Good.
He reached for her arm.
We are done here.
Later, alone in the corridor, she pulled away.
That is what power costs.
Yes.
And you pay it easily.
Because if I do not, others pay worse.
She searched his face.
And what about you.
What about me.
What does it cost you.
For the first time, Alessandro did not answer immediately.
Then.
Sleep.
Trust.
Peace.
She nodded slowly.
Matteo approached quietly.
Boss. The perimeter is secure.
Good.
Alessandro turned to Seraphina.
You proved your point.
And you proved mine.
Which is.
That love makes people sloppy.
Her eyes flashed.
You think I am a liability.
I think you are the only weakness I have ever allowed.
Matteo looked away.
Seraphina stepped closer.
Then you have a choice.
He met her gaze.
I already chose.
She felt something crack.
Later that night, she stood on the balcony alone.
Matteo joined her, careful to keep distance.
You were brave today, he said softly.
I was reckless.
Sometimes those are the same.
She glanced at him.
You almost got hurt.
I would have been fine.
That is not the point.
He studied her.
You scare him.
She laughed quietly.
Good.
You scare him differently.
Matteo's voice was low.
I scare myself.
She turned to face him.
Then walk away.
He did not.
Neither did she.
For a heartbeat, the world narrowed again.
Then Alessandro's voice cut through the dark.
Seraphina.
She stepped back instantly.
Matteo straightened.
Alessandro approached, eyes sharp.
Inside. Both of you.
As they moved past each other, Matteo's fingers brushed hers.
Just barely.
A spark.
Alessandro saw it.
And smiled.
Not in amusement.
In anticipation.
The leak was gone.
But the real fracture had only just begun.
And love, in this house, was still the most dangerous weapon of all.