92

92
Allesio’s POV
Walking into Alaric’s office, I could feel the thick tension rising and it was practically almost cutting my airflow. Too thick and suffocating. I could already tell this wasn’t going to be a casual conversation.
Alaric was leaning against his desk, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. The door shut behind me with a heavy click, and for a moment, the only sound was the faint hum of the air conditioning.
“You needed me?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral.
He nodded toward one of the chairs. “Sit.”
I didn’t like the way he said it, but I complied anyway. Alaric rarely ever spoke to me with that ‘Capo’ tone of his unless he had a plan brewing, and those plans were rarely simple.
He stayed silent for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully. Finally, he said, “I saw the way she was looking at you during dinner.”
I didn’t need to ask who he was talking about. Rosa. And I didn’t like it at all. I could already te that I wasn’t going to like this conversation one bit.
I leaned back in the chair, letting out a low breath. “And?”
“And I need you to use it,” he said bluntly.
I frowned. “Use it? You’re not serious.”
“I’m dead serious.”
“Alaric, if this is about-”
“Let me stop you right there,” he interrupted, holding up a hand. “This isn’t about your ego or whatever personal hang-ups you might have. This is about business.”
I gritted my teeth. “What kind of business?”
“The Smith syndicate is closely tied to the Cruz family,” Alaric explained. “Too close, if you ask me. And if there’s one person in this city who might have insight into the Cruz family’s movements, it’s Rosa Smith.”
At the mention of the Cruz family, my stomach tightened. The same family we’d suspected for years of being behind Dominic’s murder.
“And you think she’ll just hand over information because I… what? Flirt with her?”
“She won’t hand it over willingly,” Alaric admitted. “But people talk when they’re comfortable. When they think someone is on their side.”
I shook my head, disbelief mixing with irritation. “You’re asking me to charm her, to what? Pry into her family’s affairs?”
“Yes,” he said, without hesitation.
“Alaric, this isn’t-”
“This isn’t what?” he cut in, his tone sharp. “Ethical? Convenient? Don’t forget what’s at stake here, Allesio. This isn’t just about Dominic. It’s about protecting what’s left of our family. If the Cruz syndicate is planning something, we need to know. And if Rosa Smith can give us that information, then yes, I’m asking you to do whatever it takes.”
I stayed silent, complication of what he was asking me to do setting in my head. If she ever found out or if everything went to shit…
I could already imagine the thousand ways Romano Smith was going to kill me because Rosa was his only child, his baby girl and if he caught wiff of anyone of me trying to trick her, play with her fillings just so that she can divulge some things…
I wouldn’t come out of it alive. And it would affect our syndicate. This was going to be very hard.
“I know you don’t like this,” Alaric continued, his voice softer now. “But you’re the best chance we have. She’s already taken an interest in you. Use it.”
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to process everything. Rosa was dangerous, and not just because of her connections. There was something about her-something unpredictable.
“You really think she’s involved in her family’s business?” I asked.
Alaric’s expression darkened. “I don’t think. I know. Women like Rosa don’t grow up in families like the Smith syndicate without getting their hands dirty. She might play the charming friend around Emilia, but don’t let that fool you. She’s a player in their game.”
I couldn’t argue with that. Rosa had a sharpness to her, a confidence that didn’t come from just being a mafia princess. She was more than just a pretty face.
“And if she’s not involved?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.
“Then you’ll know soon enough,” Alaric said simply. “But until then, we have to assume she is.”
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “You’re asking me to risk a lot here, Alaric.”
“And I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important,” he replied. “This isn’t just about us, Allesio. It’s about the family. The business. Everything we’ve built.”
I sat back, my mind racing. This wasn’t the first time Alaric had asked me to play a role, but this felt different. Rosa wasn’t just another target. She was smart, sharp, and completely unpredictable. She could easily figure out whatever game I was about to play with her.
But Alaric was right. If there was even a chance she knew something about the Cruz syndicate’s involvement in Dominic’s death, I couldn’t ignore it.
“Fine,” I said finally, my voice firm. “I’ll do it.”
Alaric nodded, a flicker of relief crossing his face. “Good. But remember, Allesio, this isn’t just about seduction. It’s about trust. She has to believe you’re on her side.”
I smirked, though there was no humor in it. “I think I can handle that.”
“I know you can,” he said, his tone confident. “Just don’t underestimate her. Rosa Smith is dangerous, and she knows how to play the game.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Alaric stood, signaling the end of the conversation. “Good. Now get to work.”
As I left the office, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and dread. Rosa was a challenge, no doubt about it. But if Alaric was right-if she held the key to the answers we’d been searching for-then I had no choice but to take the risk.
And as much as I hated to admit it, part of me was looking forward to the game. Even though it was going to be so fucking hard to fool her.