Chapter 3 3

Alessia

I watched from the window as Dante walked away. But he didn't take the man who came with him.

Zara bumped my shoulder. "Uh...Al?"

The man was standing at the front gate. He had big shoulders, wore black clothes, and his arms were crossed. He looked like someone from the military.

He started talking to my uncle and they walked back to the house together.

"The hell?" Zara said.

I was walking to the door when it opened. My uncle was there, looking bored like always.

"This is Nico Romano," he said. "He will be looking after you."

Zara stepped forward. "Sorry...what?"

"Orders from Mr. Valenti," Uncle said. "He doesn't want you to go anywhere alone."

I looked at the man again. Hazel eyes, tattoos on his neck. He looked like he don't care what people thought about him. Maybe he even likes it when people hate him.

I crossed my arms. "So I'm under house arrest now?"

Nico didn't smile. "No, just making sure you don't get hurt, princess."

Zara rolled her eyes. "Wow. Charming."

He looked at her for a second, then ignored her.

Zara made a noise, annoyed.

I looked at both of them. My chest felt hot with anger.

"I don't need a babysitter," I said.

Uncle shrugged. "Doesn't matter. You have one now."

Zara looked at Nico. "You always this smug?"

He smiled now. But it was not nice. It was the kind of smile that says 'stay away.'

I stepped in before Zara could do something crazy. "I'm going out. I don't want him come."

Uncle raised one eyebrow. "No. You go for the wedding dress fitting now. He will go with you."

I just stared at him. "I just met the man and now I'm to go for the dress fitting?"

"Yes. Only six days left. Don't worry, Bianca already picked some dresses for you."

The boutique smelled like flowers and expensive drinks. I looked at myself in the mirror while a woman pinned the dress on me.

"White makes you look pale," My cousin, Bianca said from the couch. "You should try colour. You know, men like Dante like soft girls. Classic beauty. You should think about that."

She smiled sweetly. "I want the best for you."

Of course she did. For a moment, I thought about why my uncle didn't give her to Dante.

"I thought Dante would marry someone different," she said. "Someone useful,"

I didn't move.

"Someone whose father didn't destroy the north alliances."

Then she leaned close to me, whispering.

"You know, we had something before... but that is old story. I know him. He wouldn't want a fighter. He would want someone who obeys."

I turned my head. "Then he should not have chosen a Moretti."

I was tired. Tired of all this pretending.

If this wedding was going to be a fight, then I want to wear something that feels like armor.

"No," I said.

I pulled off the veil and stepped down.

"I'm not wearing this."

Zara smiled like she had been waiting for it.

Bianca looked shocked. "You're joking. You are marrying into the Valenti family. You can't just do what you want."

"I'm not making demands," I said. "I'm choosing."

I looked fast through the dresses.

My fingers stopped on one with black lace and a deep neckline.

"This one," I said.

The boutique lady hesitated. "That's... unconventional for a wedding."

"So is being sold off."

Zara leaned back, grinning. "Say less."

Bianca scoffed. "You'll look like you're in mourning."

"Oh I am." I said, holding her gaze.

In the dressing room, Zara helped me change.

I looked in the mirror. Black looked good on me, it always has.

"What are you thinking?" Zara asked.

I said quietly, "I hate this."

"I know."

"I don't know if I can run. They will find me."

"You are not alone," she said. "You have me."

I took a deep breath

"Then we leave tonight."

Outside, Nico was waiting beside the car, leaning like he had all day.

Zara walked to him, angry. "Why are you even here? You look like a fake soldier."

He looked at her, calm. "Doing my job."

"Your job is to follow girls now?"

He smiled, white teeth showing. "Only the interesting ones."

Zara rolled her eyes. "Tell your boss, putting Alessia on a leash won't make her marry him faster."

He didn't answer.

Zara frowned.

Then I came out. Bianca behind me, her heels loud.

Zara looked at me. "That bad?"

I didn't answer. I just got in the car.

At home, I went straight to my room and slammed the door.

I sat on the floor, back on the wall, my heart beating too fast.

I wasn't scared of the dress.

Not of Dante.

I was scared of what I must become... just to survive them all.

Dante

The man was already bleeding when I walked in.

Blood from his nose, mouth, maybe a cracked rib too. He was sitting in the chair like a broken thing. Two of my men stood behind him, arms crossed.

He was a capo. Should have been strong. Should have known better

"I gave you clear instructions," I said. "And you ignored them."

He coughed and tried to speak. "Please, Signore Valenti... it wasn't me. My nephew...he moved the stack too early. I didn't know..."

"Your nephew works for you," I said. "So you are responsible."

He nodded fast, eyes wide. "I understand. I swear, it won't happen again."

I leaned back in the chair across from him. Matteo stood beside me. He didn't blink.

"You know what the problem is?" I said. "You don't fear me enough."

He said nothing. He knew better now.

I waved my hand once. Matteo moved forward and punched the man in the stomach. Hard. He choked on his own breath.

"You were warned. Twice," I said.

"I'm loyal," he said fast. "Please. Give me another chance."

I looked at his hands. Still shaking.

"Matteo," I said calmly. "Three fingers. Left hand."

"No, please...."

There was screaming. Crunching sound. Blood on the floor.

The others in the room stayed silent. Some looked away. I stayed right where I was, calm like always.

When it was done, I stood.

"You have twenty-four hours to fix this," I told him. "If not, I take more than fingers next time. I take your whole crew."

He nodded fast, shaking like a leaf.

"Get him out of my sight," I said.

Two men dragged him away. Blood left a trail behind.

Was I cruel? Maybe.

But cruelty kept people in line. My father used to hit without thinking. I didn't. I hit when it meant something.

Back in my office, I poured a drink. The city looked calm outside the window. But I knew better.

My phone buzzed.

A message from Nico.

'She picked a black dress.'

Of course she did.

Alessia Moretti was angry. Too sharp for her own good. I liked that.

But anger was wild. Dangerous. If she didn't learn to control it, it would kill her before anyone else got the chance.

And I wasn't going to lose a useful weapon just because she didn't know how to survive.