Chapter 4 FRACTURE LINES

Elena didn't sleep.

The room she'd been given was far too luxurious for comfort. Soft lighting. Clean sheets. A balcony overlooking the city. It felt less like protection and more like a beautifully disguised cage.

She paced instead.

Stay where I can see you.

The words replayed in her head, over and over. Not a threat. Not a promise. Something worse-certainty.

She stopped by the window, wrapping her arms around herself as dawn crept into the sky. Somewhere in this building, Alessandro Moretti was awake too. Men like him didn't rest easily.

And she hated that she could feel him without seeing him.

Alessandro was in the gym when Luca found him.

The heavy bag swung violently as Alessandro struck it again and again, each hit precise, controlled. Sweat darkened his shirt, but his expression remained unreadable.

"You're pushing yourself," Luca observed.

Alessandro didn't stop. "She should've been afraid."

"That's what bothers you?" Luca asked.

That made him pause.

Alessandro stepped back, breathing steadily. "People who aren't afraid make choices," he said. "Choices complicate things."

"And yet you didn't eliminate the complication."

Alessandro grabbed a towel, dragging it across his face. "She's not lying."

Luca raised an eyebrow. "You're sure?"

"I am."

What he didn't say was how he knew. Or why Elena's defiance lingered in his thoughts far longer than it should have.

Later that evening, Elena was summoned again-this time without force.

A knock. Polite. Controlled.

"Mr. Moretti requests your presence," the guard said.

Requests. That was new.

She followed the quiet hallways until they opened into a private dining room. One table. Two chairs. Floor-to-ceiling windows glowing with city lights.

Alessandro stood by the window, jacket off, sleeves rolled up. Less armor. More man.

Elena hated that her breath caught.

"Am I being interrogated again?" she asked, arms crossing instinctively.

"No," he replied. "You're being evaluated."

She scoffed. "I didn't apply for the position."

A ghost of a smile appeared. "Sit."

She considered refusing-then chose her battles and did.Food was already there. Untouched.

"You haven't eaten," he noted.

"I wasn't hungry."

"That's a lie."

Her eyes snapped to his. "Do you always assume you know what people feel?"

"Yes," he said evenly. "I'm usually right."

She pushed her chair back slightly. "Then tell me what I'm feeling now."

Alessandro studied her-not her posture, not her words, but her eyes. For a moment, the room felt too small.

"Angry," he said. "Tired. And trying very hard not to care."

Her jaw tightened.

"Wrong," she said. "I care. I just refuse to let you use it against me."

That earned her silence.

Not cold silence. Thoughtful silence.

"You shouldn't be here," Alessandro said finally. "This world destroys people like you."

"People like me?" she asked sharply.

"People who still believe they have choices."

Elena stood. "I do have choices."

"Then choose wisely," he said, voice lower now. "Because every decision you make echoes far beyond you."

She stepped closer-too close. "And what about you, Alessandro Moretti? Do you believe you have choices?"

The use of his name hit harder than it should have.

For the first time, he didn't answer immediately.

"No," he admitted quietly. "I believe I have responsibilities."

Their eyes locked.

The tension wasn't hostile anymore. It was something far more dangerous-understanding.

Elena exhaled slowly. "Then maybe we're both trapped."

Something shifted then. Not attraction-not yet.

Recognition.

Alessandro stepped back first.

"You'll remain here," he said, regaining control. "But on your terms-as long as they don't endanger you."

"And if I push back?" she asked.

His gaze darkened. "Then we'll both regret it."

She nodded once. "Good. I'd hate for this to be easy."

As she left, Alessandro remained standing, staring at the empty chair across from him.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

She wasn't supposed to matter.

And yet-cracks were forming.