Chapter 3 Hidden Knives

Morning arrived all too quickly, bringing with it meetings, and the pressure of her new life as Luca DeLuca's wife. Alessa moved through the day with detachment, absorbing every detail, memorizing every face.

After a formal breakfast that felt like a performance, Alessa returned to her room, feeling like her every move was being watched. Her instincts, sharpened by years under her father's watchful eye, told her she was right.

A knock interrupted her thoughts. She opened the door to find Carmen, one of Luca's trusted household staff members. The woman was young but carried herself with a quiet confidence that caught Alessa's attention.

"Mrs. DeLuca," Carmen said with a respectful nod. "Mr. Luca requests your presence in the study."

Alessa held Carmen's gaze. She could sense loyalty there-but to whom?

"Thank you, Carmen," Alessa replied coolly, maintaining her composure. "Please lead the way."

They walked through the long corridors of the estate, and Alessa noted every hallway, every locked door. There were secrets here, hidden in the silence of these walls. She could feel it.

As they entered Luca's study, she was greeted by the sight of him behind an imposing desk, his expression unreadable. Several other men stood nearby, clearly high-ranking members of his inner circle. They stopped speaking the moment she entered, but the tension in the room thickened. Her entrance was unexpected, and she could tell that Luca had done this on purpose-to show her off as his wife, a silent reminder of his authority over her.

"Gentlemen," Luca began, his voice smooth and controlled. "This is Alessa, my wife and a Russo. She may join us for the time being, but let me be clear-she's to be treated with respect."

One man, a tall figure with a scar running down his cheek, barely concealed a sneer. His gaze lingered on her.

Alessa kept her face neutral but memorized his features. You think I'm an outsider, she thought, but you'll soon see just how wrong you are.

Luca looked at her with a slight nod, gesturing for her to take a seat beside him. She settled into the chair, her posture calm but alert. She listened as they discussed plans for expanding territory, controlling assets, and stamping out competition. This wasn't new to her; she'd grown up overhearing these types of conversations her entire life.

Then, Luca turned to her with a smile that barely reached his eyes.

"Alessa, perhaps you could share your thoughts on our family's current... partnerships," he said, his voice low, daring her.

Alessa's eyes darted to him, narrowing slightly. So, he was testing her-seeing if she could keep up, if she knew enough about the inner workings of her father's empire. She wouldn't disappoint him.

"Trust is a fragile thing in this business," she began smoothly. "Partnerships that aren't based on genuine loyalty become ticking time bombs. If our goal is true loyalty, certain alliances need to be reconsidered. The more precarious relationships are kept in check by fear alone, but fear fades. I'd suggest securing loyalty through other means-means that inspire genuine allegiance."

The men exchanged uneasy glances, clearly surprised by her insight.

Luca's expression was unreadable, but a flicker of interest sparked in his eyes. "Well put, Alessa."

Scarface muttered something under his breath, his expression skeptical. "She speaks as if she's run an empire," he scoffed.

Luca's voice dropped, dangerously calm. "That's enough, Rocco."

The tension between them was palpable. Alessa filed away Rocco's name and her first impression of him: ambitious, but not too bright. He'd make a dangerous enemy but an easily controlled ally.

After the meeting concluded, Luca dismissed his men, and they filed out one by one. Alessa lingered, aware that Luca wasn't done with her. Once they were alone, he leaned back in his chair, studying her with a mix of intrigue and suspicion.

"You surprised them," he said finally. "I didn't expect you to speak so... confidently."

Alessa arched an eyebrow, unimpressed by his condescension. "Did you expect me to cower and nod along?"

"Perhaps," he admitted, his gaze steady. "But I see there's more to you than meets the eye."

She returned his gaze, her expression defiant. "And you may find there's more to me than even you realize, Luca. I may be your wife by circumstance, but don't mistake that as submission."

He chuckled, a cold, hollow sound. "You're bold, Alessa. But remember, you're in my world now. This isn't a game where you can just speak your mind and walk away unscathed."

She held his gaze, undeterred. "And I'm not a pawn for you to manipulate. I've seen men like you before, Luca, and I won't be easily controlled."

A brief silence fell between them, the intensity of their standoff crackling in the air. Finally, Luca leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with something that looked almost like respect. "Then we're at an impasse," he said. "But know this-loyalty is everything in my world. Betray me, and you'll suffer the consequences."

"I could say the same to you," Alessa replied.

As she left his study, Alessa's mind raced with possibilities. She knew she couldn't trust Luca, but she could use this marriage to her advantage. She was determined to uncover every secret within this mansion, every weakness that could be exploited.

The estate was a fortress, but Alessa was skilled at moving undetected. She ventured through the hallways, observing the staff, memorizing their faces, noting the patterns of their movements. Her sharp eyes caught details others would miss-a side door that wasn't heavily guarded, a hidden stairwell that led to the lower levels.

Hours passed, and just as she was about to return to her room, she heard voices down the corridor. She moved closer, keeping to the shadows.

"...have to be careful. If Luca finds out we're planning anything, he'll kill us both."

It was Rocco, the man with the scar. He was speaking in a hushed, urgent tone to a younger man Alessa didn't recognize. She strained to hear more, her heart racing. Rocco was clearly unhappy with Luca's authority, and this could be exactly the opportunity she needed. If he was planning a betrayal, she could use it to her advantage-or expose him to gain Luca's trust.

"Then we'll do it quietly," the younger man whispered. "Luca doesn't have to know... until later."

Alessa's pulse quickened as the pieces began to fall into place. Rocco was plotting against Luca. She slipped back into the shadows, formulating a plan.

When she returned to her room, Alessa felt a thrill of exhilaration. The danger, the secrecy, the game of power and betrayal-it was intoxicating. She was no longer just a pawn. She was a player in her own right.

But as she lay awake that night, contemplating her next move, she heard a soft creak outside her door. She froze, every muscle tense. Someone was there, lurking in the shadows.

The handle turned, and the door cracked open, revealing a pair of dark eyes watching her.

It was Luca.

"You're awake," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

She met his gaze, hiding her surprise. "Did you need something, Luca?"

He stepped inside, his expression unreadable. "I have a feeling you've been... busy tonight," he murmured, his eyes glinting with suspicion.

Alessa's heart raced, but she forced herself to remain calm. "Perhaps," she replied, her voice steady. "But you wouldn't expect any less from a Russo, would you?"

A faint smile played at the corner of his mouth, but it was far from friendly. "No, Alessa," he said softly, his voice like velvet over steel. "I wouldn't expect anything less."