Alessia Mancini
The offer hung in the air, tempting and terrifying in equal measure. I could feel the others watching, their gazes burning into me. Matteo's face remained impassive, but there was a glimmer of something – respect? curiosity? – in his eyes.
"And if I refuse?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Bianchi's smile widened, revealing teeth that suddenly seemed too sharp. "Well, let's just say that Giovanni's reign might come to a rather abrupt end. And you, my dear? You'd be right back where you started – struggling to keep your family afloat, with no one to turn to."
My heart raced, but I forced myself to meet his gaze steadily. "You seem to have thought of everything, Don Bianchi. But there's one thing you've overlooked."
He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "And
