CHAPTER TEN
When Loyalty Breaks
Morning came sharp and unforgiving.
Seraphina woke alone.
The bed beside her was cold, untouched. Alessandro had not come back after the garden. That alone told her everything she needed to know.
He was angry.
No. Worse.
He was calculating.
She dressed slowly, choosing armor instead of softness. Black trousers. A fitted blouse. Hair pulled back tight. If war was coming, she would not meet it exposed.
Downstairs, the house felt different. Quieter. Like everyone was holding their breath.
She saw Matteo first.
He stood near the staircase, speaking to one of the guards. His posture was rigid, face carefully blank. When his eyes lifted and met hers, something flickered.
Regret.
Warning.
He inclined his head respectfully and looked away.
That hurt more than anger would have.
She found Alessandro in the study.
The door was open. Deliberately.
He stood behind the desk, hands braced on its surface, staring down at a map marked with red and blue pins. The light from the tall windows carved hard lines across his face.
You are awake, he said without looking up.
I do not sleep well when people decide my fate without me.
Now he looked at her.
You put yourself in the middle of my command structure last night.
I spoke to a man who was already there.
A man who forgot his place.
A man who reminded me of mine.
Silence snapped between them.
You should stay out of internal matters, Alessandro said.
You made me internal the moment you pulled me into this world.
He straightened slowly.
Do not confuse protection with partnership.
She stepped closer.
Then stop asking me to act like your equal when it suits you.
His voice lowered.
You are alive because of me.
Her eyes flashed.
And you are exposed because of me.
That landed.
You think I do not know what Rome wants, she continued. They want leverage. They want chaos. And now you have handed them both by letting jealousy cloud your judgment.
Jealousy, he repeated softly.
Is that what you call it.
What do you call it.
Fear.
Of losing control.
Of losing you.
There it was again. That dangerous truth.
She softened just a fraction.
You do not lose people by letting them breathe.
You lose them by caging them.
His jaw tightened.
Matteo has been reassigned.
Her breath caught.
To where.
Away.
She stared at him.
You are punishing him for feeling.
I am protecting him from acting on it.
You are protecting yourself.
He stepped around the desk.
I will not have divided loyalty.
Then you should not create it.
He stopped inches from her.
Say his name again.
She held his gaze.
Matteo.
Something dark and feral moved beneath Alessandro's calm.
Do you want him.
The question was a blade.
No.
Do you feel something.
She hesitated.
Yes.
The honesty burned.
Alessandro exhaled slowly, like a man steadying himself before a kill.
Then listen carefully.
He reached out, cupping her face.
I am not afraid of competition.
I am afraid of betrayal.
I have killed for less.
Her pulse raced, but she did not pull away.
And yet you let me stand here.
Because you chose me.
Did I.
Last night you could have followed him.
You did not.
She swallowed.
I stayed because I am afraid of what choosing him would mean.
Alessandro's thumb brushed her cheek.
And choosing me.
That I will lose myself.
His hand dropped.
Good.
She frowned.
Good.
Because if you were not afraid, I would know you were lying.
The door opened suddenly.
Matteo.
He stopped short when he saw her.
Boss. We have a problem.
Alessandro's attention snapped to him instantly.
Rome.
They hit one of our storage houses in the south. Left bodies. Sent a message.
Matteo glanced at Seraphina.
They know about her.
The room went cold.
Alessandro's voice was deadly calm.
How.
They intercepted a courier. Information leak.
His eyes slid to Matteo.
I have not spoken to anyone, Matteo said immediately. Not a word.
I know.
Seraphina stepped forward.
Then they are baiting us.
They want you divided, she continued. They want paranoia. They want you to tear your own house apart.
Alessandro looked at her sharply.
You are sure.
I would do the same.
He was silent for a long moment.
Then he nodded once.
Prepare the cars, he said to Matteo. We move her tonight. Again.
Matteo hesitated.
Boss.
You will stay with her.
Alessandro's gaze locked onto his.
Every second.
Understood.
Matteo nodded.
Seraphina turned to Alessandro.
You trust him.
With my life.
Do you trust him with mine.
Alessandro looked between them.
I trust him to die before he lets harm touch you.
Matteo stiffened.
I would.
The words hung heavy.
Alessandro stepped closer to Seraphina.
This is not over.
I know.
He leaned down, pressing his forehead to hers briefly. Intimate. Possessive. Final.
Do not mistake restraint for forgiveness.
She whispered.
Do not mistake fear for weakness.
He pulled back.
As they left the study, Matteo fell into step beside her.
You should hate me, he said quietly.
I do not.
You should.
She glanced at him.
This is not about you. Or him.
Then what is it about.
Choice.
His jaw tightened.
Be careful with that word.
Why.
Because in this world, choice is the illusion people die for.
They reached the car.
As Matteo opened the door for her, his fingers brushed hers accidentally.
Electric.
Both of them froze.
Across the courtyard, Alessandro watched.
And for the first time since he built his empire, he realized something terrifying.
The threat was not Rome.
It was the woman who stood at the center of his power.
And the man who might choose her over him.
The triangle was no longer forming.
It had locked into place.
And blood would follow.