Chapter eight
588 Words
The next morning, Alessia woke up feeling exhausted. Sleep had been restless, her mind spinning with thoughts about last night. Massimo had been different—more open, more dangerous, more possessive. And then there was his rival, Enzo, who had looked at her like he knew something she didn’t. It left her with a sinking feeling in her stomach.
She dragged herself out of bed and got ready for work. When she arrived at Massimo’s office, she noticed the tension in the air. The usual quiet murmur of the staff was now hushed whispers. Something had happened.
She barely had time to settle before Massimo's deep voice called from inside his office, "Alessia. In here. Now."
Her heart pounded as she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. He was standing by the window, his broad shoulders tense, his hands clenched into fists.
"What happened last night?" he asked, his voice low but sharp.
Alessia frowned. "What do you mean?"
He turned, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "Enzo. What did he say to you?"
She hesitated. "He just introduced himself and made some small talk. Why?"
Massimo exhaled through his nose, clearly irritated. "He's dangerous, Alessia. I don’t want you anywhere near him."
Something about the way he said it made her stomach twist. "But... he’s your rival. Of course, he’ll try to talk to me."
"Exactly. And I don't trust him. He must have a reason for approaching you. Next time he does, you tell me immediately."
Alessia swallowed. She had to play along. "Okay. I understand."
Massimo nodded, his eyes softening for a moment before he changed the subject. "We have an event to attend tonight. A private gathering. You’ll come with me."
Her stomach flipped. "Another party?"
"Not a party. A business meeting. I need you there."
She knew there was no arguing. "Alright. I’ll be ready."
That evening, Alessia stepped out of her car and into a grand estate on the outskirts of the city. The air was filled with the scent of expensive cigars and fine whiskey. It wasn’t a typical business meeting—this was a gathering of powerful men, the kind that ran the world from the shadows.
Massimo led her inside, his hand firmly on the small of her back. Every eye in the room turned to them. Some men nodded in approval, others whispered among themselves. Alessia kept her expression neutral, but inside, her nerves were on fire.
Enzo was there.
He smirked when he saw her, lifting his glass in a mock toast. Massimo tensed beside her but kept walking, leading her to a private seating area.
The night was long, filled with business discussions Alessia barely understood. Massimo spoke in hushed tones with other men, his voice steady and commanding. He was in control here, a king among criminals.
Then, things took a dark turn.
A man burst into the room, panting. "Massimo! There’s a problem."
Everyone fell silent. Massimo’s face hardened. "What kind of problem?"
The man hesitated. "An ambush. Outside the estate. Armed men."
Alessia's heart stopped. She barely had time to react before Massimo grabbed her wrist and pulled her up. "Stay close to me."
Chaos erupted as men pulled out weapons. Shots rang in the distance. Massimo led her through a hidden corridor, his grip firm but protective. "I need you to trust me," he said, his voice steady despite the danger.
She swallowed hard and nodded. "I trust you."
For the first time, she wasn’t sure if she was lying.
- Writer
