BETWEEN LOVE AND RUIN

016

(Alexander POV)

I couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in my chest since my father’s revelation about Leonardo’s plans for Maria. The thought of her being dragged deeper into this world, of her being trained to become one of us, filled me with a mix of anger and dread. I had to see her, to make sure she was okay—even if I wasn’t sure what “okay” even looked like anymore.

I found her in the garden, just as the sun was beginning to set. She was sitting on a stone bench, her gaze fixed on the fountain in front of her. The golden light of the evening sun bathed her in a soft glow, and for a moment, I just stood there, watching her. She looked… different. Stronger, more confident, but also more distant. It was as if the training had already begun to change her, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

“Maria,” I said, my voice breaking the silence.

She turned to look at me, her expression unreadable. “Alexander.”

I walked over to her, my hands shoved into my pockets, my mind racing with all the things I wanted to say but didn’t know how to. “How are you holding up?”

She shrugged, her gaze returning to the fountain. “I’m fine.”

I frowned, my chest tightening. “You don’t have to lie to me, Maria. I know what Leonardo’s been putting you through.”

She glanced at me, her brow furrowing. “And what exactly do you know?”

I hesitated, unsure of how much to say. “I know he’s training you. I know he’s trying to turn you into one of us.”

Her expression hardened, and she stood, her arms crossed over her chest. “And what if he is? What business is it of yours?”

I took a step closer, my voice low and urgent. “It’s my business because I care about you, Maria. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

She laughed, a bitter, hollow sound that made my chest ache. “You care about me? That’s rich, coming from you.”

I flinched, her words cutting deeper than I wanted to admit. “Maria, I—”

“Save it,” she interrupted, her voice sharp. “You don’t get to come in here and act like you’re some kind of savior. You’re just as much a part of this as Leonardo is.”

I shook my head, my jaw tightening. “You don’t understand. I never wanted this for you. I never wanted you to be dragged into this world.”

Her eyes narrowed, and she took a step closer, her gaze burning with anger. “And what world is that, Alexander? The world of assassins? The world of lies and manipulation? Because newsflash—I’ve been living in that world for a long time. The only difference now is that I’m learning how to fight back.”

I stared at her, my chest heaving with a mix of emotions I couldn’t quite name. She was right, and I hated it. I had been so focused on protecting her, on keeping her safe, that I hadn’t stopped to consider what she really wanted.

“Maria, I—”

“Don’t,” she said, her voice softer now, but no less firm. “Don’t try to explain yourself. Just… go.”

I didn’t move, my mind racing with all the things I wanted to say but didn’t know how to. I wanted to tell her that I was sorry, that I never meant for any of this to happen. I wanted to tell her that I cared about her, that I would do anything to keep her safe. But the words stuck in my throat, and all I could do was stand there, staring at her.

Finally, I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. “Okay.”

I turned and walked away, my chest burning with a mix of anger and frustration. I didn’t know what to do, how to fix this. But one thing was certain—I wasn’t going to let Leonardo destroy her.

The anger simmering in my chest boiled over as I stormed through the mansion, my footsteps echoing off the cold, marble floors. I didn’t care who heard me, who saw me. All I cared about was finding Leonardo and putting an end to this madness. He had no right to drag Maria into this world, no right to turn her into something she was never meant to be.

I found him in the training room, as I expected. He was alone, his back to me as he adjusted the straps on a punching bag. The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the overhead lights and the sound of his breathing. He didn’t turn as I entered, but I knew he was aware of my presence. He always was.

“Leonardo,” I said, my voice low and dangerous.

He didn’t respond immediately, his movements slow and deliberate as he finished tightening the straps. Finally, he turned to face me, his expression calm but with a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

“Alexander,” he said, his tone casual. “What brings you here?”

I didn’t answer. I crossed the room in a few quick strides and grabbed him by the collar, slamming him against the wall. His eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t fight back.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I snarled, my voice low and dangerous. “You had no right to make that decision. No right to involve her in this.”

Leonardo’s expression hardened, and he shoved me back, his strength surprising me. “I had every right,” he said, his voice cold. “She’s part of this family now, whether you like it or not. And if she’s going to survive, she needs to learn how to fight.”

I shook my head, my chest heaving. “You don’t get to decide that. You don’t get to decide what she becomes.”

Leonardo’s lips curved into a faint smirk, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “And what would you have me do, Alexander? Leave her defenseless? Let her be crushed by the weight of this world?”

I didn’t answer, my fists clenched at my sides. He was right, and I hated it. But the thought of Maria being trained, of her becoming one of us, filled me with a mix of dread and anger that I couldn’t shake.

“Stay away from her,” I said finally, my voice low and dangerous. “Or I’ll make you regret it.”

Leonardo’s smirk widened, and he crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re welcome to try.”

I stared at him, my mind racing. I wanted to hit him, to make him feel even a fraction of the anger and frustration that was burning inside me. But I knew it wouldn’t change anything. Leonardo was too stubborn, too calculating, to back down.

“You don’t understand,” I said, my voice softer now, but no less firm. “She’s not like us. She’s not built for this.”

Leonardo’s expression softened, just for a moment. “You’re wrong, Alexander. She’s stronger than you think. And if you can’t see that, then maybe you’re the one who doesn’t understand.”

I didn’t respond, my chest tightening with a mix of emotions I couldn’t quite name. He was right, and I hated it. Maria was stronger than I had given her credit for, and maybe that was what scared me the most.

“Just… be careful,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. “She’s not a pawn in your games, Leonardo. She’s a person.”

Leonardo’s smirk faded, and for a moment, he looked almost… human. “I know that, Alexander. And I have no intention of treating her as anything less.”

I didn’t respond, my mind racing. I wanted to believe him, to trust that he had Maria’s best interests at heart. But I knew better. Leonardo was a master manipulator, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was playing a dangerous game—one that could destroy us all.