(Alessandro's POV)
I watched everything, Every second ,Every movement.
And I didn't like any of it.
First Luca Now Matteo.
And her… letting them.
She was asleep again.
Curled slightly into Matteo like she belonged there , Like it was normal Like nothing had changed.
My jaw tightened.
"She's exhausted," Luca said quietly, like he could read my thoughts.
"I can see that."
"Then stop looking at them like that," Matteo added without looking at me.
That did it.
"Move."
My voice came out colder than I intended.But I didn't care.
Matteo looked up slowly.
"Or what?" he asked. I stepped forward.
"Don't make me repeat myself."
For a second, I thought he wouldn't move.
Then he exhaled and shifted slightly, careful not to wake her.
"Relax," he muttered. "She fell asleep."
"I said move."This time, there was no room for argument.
Matteo held my gaze for a second longer.
Then slowly… he moved.
Good.
I stepped closer immediately.
She stirred slightly, her brows pulling together like she felt the change even in her sleep.
I didn't hesitate.
My hand slid to her waist, firm this time, pulling her gently but decisively away from where she had been leaning.
She woke instantly, Confused, Disoriented.
"Alessandro?" she whispered.
"Come here."Not a request, A command. She hesitated.
Just for a second,Then she moved.
That hesitation didn't go unnoticed.
My grip tightened slightly as I pulled her fully against me.
"You're not staying there," I said.Her heart was racing again ,I could feel it.
"I wasn't—" she started softly.
"You were."My voice dropped lower.
"You're getting comfortable." Her eyes widened slightly.
"I didn't mean—"
"I know what you meant."
Behind me, I could feel them watching.
I didn't care.
"You stay with me," I said again.
Her hands were resting lightly against me now. Not pushing, Not resisting.
That made something in my chest tighten.
"I was just… scared," she whispered.
"I know."
My hand moved slightly higher on her waist. Holding her in place.
"But that doesn't mean you forget where you belong."
The words came out before I could stop them.
And the moment they did— I saw it That reaction. Confusion Hesitation Something softer.
"I don't belong to anyone," she said quietly.That should have been enough It should have stopped me.
It didn't I stepped closer Closing whatever space was left between us.
"Then why do you keep coming back to me?" I asked.
She froze, Because she didn't have an answer but Because we both knew the truth My hand tightened slightly at her waist again.
Not enough to hurt.
Just enough to remind her.
"You go to him when you're scared," I continued.
"You stay with him when you're tired."Her breath hitched.
"But you look at me like you're waiting for something."
Her fingers curled slightly against my shirt.
"I don't know what I'm doing," she admitted softly.
That… almost broke my control
Almost.
"Then let me decide," I said. Her eyes lifted to mine.
"You can't," she whispered.
"I already am." And this time… I didn't stop.
My hand moved from her waist to her chin, tilting her face up just slightly.
She didn't pull away, Didn't resist.
Her lips parted slightly as her breathing changed. And that was it, I kissed her.
Not soft, Not hesitant.
Controlled.
Deep.
Intentional.
Nothing like before. Her body tensed for a second.
Then slowly… She melted into it.
That small response was enough, Enough to make everything worse, When I pulled back, her breathing was uneven again, Her eyes didn't leave mine.
"You don't get to run to them and pretend this doesn't exist," I said quietly.
"I'm not pretending," she whispered.
"Then what are you doing?"
"I'm trying to understand," she said.
I studied her face, Then exhaled slowly, My hand dropped back to her waist, Holding her there, But not as tight.
"Then understand this," I said ,Her heart was still racing.
"You're not leaving." A pause.
"And I'm not letting anyone else get too close."
Behind me…
Matteo laughed quietly.
"There it is," he said.
Luca didn't speak , But I could feel it.
The tension, The shift.
This wasn't balanced anymore.
And we all knew it. But when I looked back down at her… She didn't pull away.
And that was the only thing that mattered.
⸻
Did Alessandro just cross a line… or did Elena let him? 👀