(Alessandro's POV)
I shouldn't feel like this.
That was the problem.
Not Matteo.
Not the tension.
Not even the fact that someone out there was watching her.
It was this.
The way she stood beside me… and didn't move away.
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She didn't realize what she was doing.
But I did.
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My hand was still on her waist.It had been there longer than necessary. Longer than it should have been. And yet…I didn't remove it.
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"Alessandro." Luca's voice pulled me back.Sharp. Low. Warning.
I looked up.
He was watching me carefully. Not judging.
Just… noticing.
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"She needs space," he added. I glanced down at her. She didn't look like she wanted space. That was the problem.
"I'm fine," she said quietly. Of course she was.
Matteo let out a quiet laugh from across the room. "Of course she is."
I ignored him My focus was still on her.
"You should rest," I said She looked up at me immediately.
"I'm not tired."
"You didn't sleep," I replied. She hesitated.
Then looked away slightly.
"I'll be fine."No She wouldn't.
Not like this. Not with everything happening.
"You're staying in my room tonight," I said.
Silence.
Matteo sat up instantly. "Yeah, no."
Luca frowned slightly. "That's not necessary."
I didn't look at either of them.
"She's not staying alone," I said.
"She can stay with me," Matteo added quickly.
"No." That came out too fast.Matteo smirked.
"There it is."
I stepped closer to her again, my grip tightening just slightly at her waist.
"She stays with me," I repeated.
"And what if she doesn't want that?" Luca asked calmly.
That made me pause For a second Then I looked down at her.
"Do you?" I asked.
Her heart was racing I could feel it She hesitated And in that moment… Everything slowed.
Because this wasn't about control anymore.
This was her choice.
Or at least…
It looked like one.
"I…" she started.
Then stopped Her eyes met mine And something shifted.
"I don't want to be alone," she admitted softly. That was enough.
Matteo scoffed lightly, leaning back again. "Of course."
Luca didn't argue. And just like that…It was decided. I let go of her waist slowly.
But only for a moment.
"Come," I said. She followed me Of course she did.
The room was quieter More personal I closed the door behind us She stood near the edge again.
Like she didn't know what to do with herself.
"Relax," I said.
"I am relaxed," she replied quickly I raised a brow.
"You're standing like you're about to run."
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She exhaled softly.
"I don't know how to act around you," she admitted That caught me off guard.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because…" she hesitated, then looked up at me.
"You confuse me."
Good But I didn't say that.
"You're not supposed to understand everything," I said.
"That's the problem," she replied. "I want to."
Silence
Then—
She took a small step closer Not forced Not pulled On her own That was new.
"You said I'm safe with you," she said quietly.
"I meant it."
"How?" she asked again I exhaled slowly.
Then—
I stepped closer too Closing the space between us completely this time.
"You stay close," I said.
Her breathing slowed.
"And you listen," I continued.She nodded slightly.
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"And then?" she asked.
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I looked down at her Really looked this time At how small she was compared to me At how easily she fit into my space , At how dangerous that was.
"Then nothing touches you," I said Her eyes softened slightly.
"And you?" she asked.
That question…
I didn't answer it Because I didn't have one ,Instead, my hand moved again Back to her waist Pulling her just slightly closer.
This time…She didn't tense.
Didn't hesitate She leaned in Just a little.
And that was it.
That was the moment everything changed.
"You're starting to trust me," I said quietly.
"I don't know if it's trust," she admitted.
"What is it then?"
She hesitated.
Then—
"I just feel… safer when you're close."
My chest tightened slightly. That wasn't better, That was worse Because now…
It wasn't just control.
It was something else. Something I couldn't afford. But I didn't move away.
I couldn't. "Stay," I said softly.
She nodded.
And for the first time since she walked into this place… She didn't look like she wanted to leave.
Later that night… She fell asleep. Right there Close to me Too close
I didn't sleep I just watched her.
Because now…
It wasn't just about keeping her here.It was about keeping her safe.
And I was starting to realize something I didn't like.
I wasn't doing it just because I had to anymore. I was doing it because I wanted to And that… Was dangerous.
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Is Elena really safe with Alessandro… or is he becoming the biggest danger of all? 👀
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