Alessia Mancini
The tyres screeched as we pulled up to the villa, the smell of burnt rubber mingling with the metallic tang of blood that clung to my clothes. My father's laboured breathing filled the tense silence as Nico brought the car to an abrupt halt.
Before I could even reach for the door handle, it swung open. Giovanni stood there, his imposing figure silhouetted against the warm light spilling from the entrance. His dark eyes locked onto mine, a flicker of concern breaking through his usual mask of control.
"Mia leonessa," he murmured, his voice low and intense as he reached for me.
I allowed myself a brief moment of comfort as his strong hands grasped my shoulders, steadying me. The familiar scent of his cologne - sandalwood and spice - momentarily overwhelmed the coppery sme
