Chapter 3 A Warning

(Aurora's POV)

The next morning, sunlight streamed through my window, pulling me from sleep. My head ached slightly-a reminder of the wine Matteo and I had shared the night before.

I stretched, rolling out of bed and making my way to the tiny kitchen. As the coffee brewed, I let my mind drift back to our conversation. Matteo had been kind, easy to talk to. It felt nice to have someone make me feel welcome.

Maybe Naples wasn't as intimidating as I thought.

I had no idea that danger was already circling me like a predator watching its prey.

A sharp knock at my door made me jump. I wasn't expecting anyone. Frowning, I padded over and cracked it open.

A tall man in a dark suit stood there, his expression blank, his posture stiff. He wasn't old, but something about him felt cold and unapproachable.

"Signorina Aurora?"

I gripped the edge of the door. "Yes?"

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a black envelope and holding it out to me. "A message."

I hesitated before taking it. The moment my fingers touched the paper, the man turned and walked away without another word.

Unease settled in my stomach as I slowly closed the door.

Why would someone send me a message like this?

I took a shaky breath and opened the envelope. Inside was a single card, the paper thick and expensive. And written in elegant, sharp handwriting was a single sentence:

Stay away from Matteo.

My breath hitched.

No signature. No explanation. Just a warning.

My fingers tightened around the card.

Who would send this? And why?

---

(Riccardo's POV)

From my office, I leaned back in my chair, watching the city through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Below, Naples moved like a beast, alive with power and danger. My city.

Aurora would learn what that meant soon enough.

A soft knock sounded at my door before it opened. My consigliere, Marco, stepped inside, his face unreadable.

"It's done," he said.

I smirked. "Good."

She would get the message.

Matteo was nothing. A distraction. An irritation. And I didn't tolerate irritations.

Aurora didn't know it yet, but I had already laid claim to her.

She was mine.

And I didn't share.