The Alpha's Attention
881 Words
Anna couldn’t sleep after that night. Every time she closed her eyes, she heard his voice again.
“Be careful who you look at… sometimes they look back.”
Romano.
His name alone carried weight she didn’t understand.
But she felt something she didn’t want to admit… curiosity.
Fear.
A pull she couldn’t explain.
Mitchelle noticed her zoning out for the tenth time that morning.
“Anna, talk to me. Your mind is not here.”
Anna sighed. “I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not. You’ve been acting weird since the club.”
Anna hesitated. “Do you… know anything about Romano?”
Mitchelle froze.
“Why are you asking about him?”
“I just… want to know who he is.”
Mitchelle looked genuinely worried. “Anna, stay away from that man. People like him don’t do soft. They don’t do love. They do control.”
Anna swallowed, but her heart didn’t listen.
Later that evening, Mitchelle forced her out again—not to a club, but to a small lounge café, just to relax and distract her mind.
Anna was sipping a drink when she felt something change in the room. A shift in the air. A tension she recognized.
Jay walked in first.
Then Scott, Romano’s right-hand man.
And behind them…
Romano.
Anna froze.
Mitchelle grabbed her hand. “Oh lord. Why is he here?”
He didn’t search for a seat.
He didn’t look around.
His eyes went straight to her like he knew exactly where to find her.
Slow steps. Controlled presence.
Romano walked directly toward their table.
“Anna.”
Her name in his voice felt too intimate. Too heavy. Too intentional.
“Hello…” she whispered.
Jay smiled nervously. “Good evening, boss.”
Romano didn’t answer him. His attention didn’t leave Anna for a second.
“You left quickly last night,” Romano said.
“I—yes. I was tired.”
He tilted his head slightly. “You didn’t look tired. You looked… overwhelmed.”
Anna didn’t know how to respond. He noticed everything.
Romano glanced at the empty chair beside her.
“May I?”
Mitchelle elbowed Anna sharply, but Anna managed to nod.
Romano sat down, but even sitting, he felt towering. His presence swallowed the space around them. He watched Anna like she was a question he hadn’t finished answering.
“Has anyone bothered you today?” he asked suddenly.
Anna’s brows knitted. “No… why would they?”
“Just making sure,” he said, almost too casually.
Mitchelle whispered under her breath, “Possessive much?”
Romano heard it.
He didn’t react.
He just kept his eyes on Anna.
But before Anna could speak, the temperature of the room dropped even lower.
Isabella walked in.
High heels. Perfect makeup. Dress that clung to her curves.
She was gorgeous, confident, and moving with a type of authority that came from being used to attention.
The second she saw Romano sitting with Anna, her smile disappeared.
She walked straight over.
“Romano,” Isabella said softly, placing her perfectly manicured hand on his shoulder.
Romano didn’t look at her.
Didn’t acknowledge the touch.
Didn’t even blink.
His eyes remained fixed on Anna.
Isabella stiffened. “I’ve been calling you.”
“I was busy,” Romano said simply.
“With what?” Isabella asked sharply.
Romano finally answered, still not looking at her.
“Something that concerns me.”
Isabella’s eyes followed his gaze… straight to Anna.
Her expression tightened instantly.
“Who is she?” Isabella demanded.
Romano finally leaned back slightly, eyes still on Anna.
“She’s not your concern.”
The way he said it made Isabella’s jaw clench.
Mitchelle whispered to Jay, “This girl is finished. Isabella will eat her raw.”
Anna felt exposed, confused, and small under Isabella’s glare.
Isabella forced a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“Oh. So this is the little introvert everyone is suddenly talking about?”
Romano’s eyes flashed with a warning.
“Isabella,” he said quietly. “Be careful with your tone.”
Isabella swallowed hard. She stepped back, but the fire in her eyes didn’t dim.
She leaned closer to Anna, voice tinted with venom.
“Enjoy his attention while it lasts, sweetheart. Romano gets bored easily.”
Anna felt her stomach twist.
Before she could respond, Romano stood up suddenly, making the entire table go silent.
He stepped close to Anna, lowering his voice only for her to hear.
“Don’t listen to her,” he said.
“I don’t get bored. Not when something interests me.”
Anna’s breath caught.
Isabella’s hands clenched.
Scott raised a brow like he was watching drama unfold.
Jay nearly fainted.
Romano straightened.
“I’ll see you again, Anna.”
Then he walked away with Scott, leaving tension behind like smoke.
Isabella stared at Anna one more time, eyes full of jealousy and warning, before storming after him.
Mitchelle grabbed Anna’s arm.
“Girl. You’re in trouble.”
Anna whispered, voice shaky, “I don’t even know what I’ve done.”
Jay shook his head dramatically.
“You’ve done the worst thing possible, Anna.”
“What?” Anna asked.
Jay sighed deeply.
“You caught the attention of the Mafia Alpha.”
- Writer
