Chapter 1 The Encournter

Rory's life was about to take a dramatic turn. It started with a chance encounter in the university's psychology class. That was where she met him – the boy with the piercing blue eyes and chiseled features.

Alessandro "Alex" Morano was a senior and a member of the infamous Morano crime family. His reputation preceded him – ruthless, cunning, and feared by all. Rory tried to avoid him, but Alex seemed to take pleasure in provoking her.

One fateful night, Rory was on her way to the grocery store when she stumbled upon a battered and bruised Alex lying on the ground. He was unconscious, his face swollen and bloody.

Rory's heart skipped a beat as she rushed to his side. She didn't know what had happened to him, but she knew she had to help. She carefully lifted his head and cradled it in her lap.

As she looked into his face, she felt a pang of guilt. She had always tried to avoid him, but now she was face to face with the reality of his world.

Just then, Alex's eyes flickered open. He looked up at Rory, his gaze cloudy with pain.

"Rory?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Rory nodded, her heart racing with concern. "I'm here, Alex. What happened to you?"

Alex tried to sit up, but winced in pain. "I...I got jumped," he muttered.

Rory helped him to his feet, and together they stumbled to her car. She drove him to her apartment, her mind racing with questions.

As they arrived at her apartment, Rory helped Alex onto the couch. She fetched some ice and began to clean his wounds.

Alex watched her, his eyes narrowed in pain. "You don't have to do this, Rory," he muttered.

Rory smiled softly. "I want to help," she said.

But as she looked into Alex's eyes, she saw something there that made her heart skip a beat. It was a glimmer of attraction, a spark of desire.

And Rory knew that she was in trouble.

As she continued to care for Alex's wounds, Rory couldn't help but notice the way he looked at her. It was as if he could see right through her, to the very soul of her being.

Rory felt a shiver run down her spine as Alex's eyes locked onto hers. She knew she had to look away, but she couldn't help herself. She was drawn to him, like a moth to a flame.

The air was thick with tension as they sat there, the only sound the soft hum of the TV in the background. Rory knew she had to break the silence, but she didn't know what to say.

Just then, Alex spoke up, his voice low and husky. "Thanks for taking care of me, Rory," he said.

Rory smiled softly. "No problem, Alex," she replied.

But as she looked into his eyes, she knew that she was in over her head. She was falling for him, hard. And she didn't know if she could ever go back.