Chapter 9 A War She Can't Win

(Aurora's POV)

I slammed my apartment door shut, my heart hammering against my ribs.

What just happened?

My hands trembled as I pressed them to my chest, willing my pulse to slow. I could still see Riccardo's piercing gaze, still hear the quiet menace in his voice when he told Matteo to stay away from me.

She will be.

The words echoed in my head, a terrifying promise.

How had I gotten involved with a man like him? I wasn't some reckless girl playing with danger. I had come to this city for a fresh start, for independence. Not to become tangled in the web of a man like Riccardo Romano.

But hadn't I already fallen into it?

I should have been angry. I should have been terrified. And yet... beneath all the fear, something else stirred.

Something dark.

Something I refused to name.

With a frustrated groan, I shook my head and stormed into my bedroom. I needed to forget about him.

But as I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I knew that was impossible.

Because Riccardo Romano wasn't the kind of man you ignored.

He was the kind of man who claimed.

And he had set his sights on me.

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(Riccardo's POV)

I leaned back in my leather chair, swirling the glass of whiskey in my hand as I stared out at the city skyline.

She was thinking about me.

I knew it.

Aurora wasn't ready to admit it yet, but her body had already betrayed her. I had seen the way her breath hitched when I touched her. The way her lips parted when I whispered to her.

She was mine.

She just didn't know it yet.

Marco cleared his throat from the doorway. "Boss, Matteo is still a problem."

I didn't even blink. "Not for long."

Marco nodded, waiting.

I took a slow sip of my whiskey before setting the glass down. "I want someone watching her. Every second of every day. I want to know where she goes, who she talks to."

Marco smirked. "Getting possessive already?"

I shot him a sharp look. "I don't share."

He chuckled but said nothing.

I turned back to the window, watching the city below.

Aurora didn't realize it yet, but the moment she crossed my path, her fate was sealed.

She could try to run. She could fight it.

But in the end, she would be mine.

And I would do whatever it took to make sure of it.

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