96

96
Allesio’s POV
The sun was still rising, filtering light through the curtains and windows of the mansion. I was walking to Alaric’s office but stopped dead in my tracks when Emilia turned the corner, a scowl on her face as she stormed towards me. I hadn’t even had my second cup of coffee yet, and there she was, her arms crossed, her face set in that unmistakable look that screamed ‘I know what you’re up to’.
“I need to talk to you,” she said, her voice low but firm.
“Good morning to you, too,” I replied, leaning against the wall with a lazy grin. “What’s on your mind, sunshine?”
“Cut the crap, Allesio,” she snapped. “What’s with you and Rosa?”
The grin faltered. I straightened slightly, crossing my arms to mirror her stance. “What about me and Rosa?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” she shot back. “You’ve been… nice to her.”
“And that’s a problem because…?” I prompted, raising an eyebrow.
She took a step closer, her tone dropping even lower. “I don’t trust you. Not with her.”
Her words stung more than I cared to admit, though I kept my expression neutral. “Why not? You think I’m going to hurt her?”
“I think you’re going to use her,” Emilia said, her eyes narrowing. “For whatever game you and Alaric are playing.”
I let out a sharp breath, running a hand through my hair. “You really think so little of me?”
“It’s not about what I think of you,” she said. “It’s about what I know about you.”
That one stung. I couldn’t even argue. She wasn’t wrong-my reputation, my habits, the things I’d done in the past-they didn’t exactly paint me as a saint. But still, her distrust irritated me more than it should have.
Before I could respond, Alaric’s voice cut through the tension.
“What’s going on here?” he asked, striding toward us with his usual air of authority. I noted the way his eyes flashed when he saw how close Emilia and I were standing and I took a step back subtly, not wanting him to bash my head into the wall just because I was standing so close to her.
“Nothing,” I said, pushing off the wall. “Just having a chat with your daughter’s nanny.”
Emilia turned to him, her expression still tight with frustration. She eyed him, her eyes softening a bit before it hardened again. “Alaric, have you noticed how friendly Allesio has been with Rosa?”
Alaric’s gaze flicked to me, then back to Emilia. “And?”
“And?” she repeated, her voice rising slightly. “It’s not normal. He doesn’t just get friendly with people for no reason.”
“Maybe he likes her,” Alaric said with a shrug, his tone so nonchalant it nearly made me laugh.
Emilia stared at him like he’d grown a second head. “You’re seriously okay with this?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Alaric asked, his calm demeanor completely unbothered by her growing frustration. “Rosa’s an adult. Allesio’s an adult. If something’s going on, it’s none of our business.”
“None of our business?” Emilia echoed, incredulous. “Alaric, she’s my best friend.”
“And Allesio is my brother,” he countered smoothly. “Do you really think I’d let him do anything to hurt her?”
Emilia opened her mouth, then closed it again, clearly at a loss for words. I took the opportunity to jump in.
“Look,” I said, my tone softer now, “I get it. You’re protective of her. That’s a good thing. But you don’t have to worry about me, alright? I’m not out to hurt Rosa.”
Emilia’s eyes searched mine, her expression hardening with every second. She eyed me and I could tell that she didn’t believe one word that had come out from Alaric and I’s mouth.
“I just don’t want her to get dragged into something she can’t handle,” she said finally.
“She’s stronger than you think,” I said, meeting her gaze. “And smarter. She can handle herself. For God’s same she was born into the mafia. A relationship isn’t something she can’t handle. She’s not a baby,” I reminded her.
Alaric placed a hand on Emilia’s shoulder, his voice steady. “You’re being paranoid. Rosa isn’t some fragile flower. If she can’t handle Allesio, she’ll let him know.”
Emilia sighed, clearly still unconvinced, but she didn’t argue further. Instead, she shot me one last warning look before turning and walking away, leaving me alone with Alaric. “I should have known you’d back him up anyways,” she murmured ad she walked away. “You both are like teenagers making mischief.”
“Thanks for the backup,” I said dryly when I was sure she was out of hearing range.
Alaric smirked. “Don’t thank me yet. I only defended you because I don’t think Emilia needs to be meddling.”
“And because you want Rosa to confirm what we suspect about the Cruz family,” I added, not bothering to hide the edge in my voice.
Alaric didn’t deny it. He simply raised an eyebrow, his expression cool. “If you’re going to charm her, do it properly. Emilia’s not entirely wrong to be suspicious. If you’re sloppy, it’ll backfire.”
“I’m not sloppy,” I said, my voice hard.
“I know,” he said. “That’s why I trust you with this.”
His words didn’t exactly feel like a compliment, but I let it go. Alaric’s approval, rare as it was, felt more important than I cared to admit.
He gave me a nod and then he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there in the hallway, the faint sound of his footsteps fading into the distance. I leaned against the wall again, letting out a slow breath.
Emilia’s warning still echoed in my ears, but it wasn’t enough to dissuade me. If anything, it only made me more determined. I wasn’t sure what it was about Rosa that had me so captivated-her fire, her wit, or the fact that she looked at me like she could see straight through my bullshit. Whatever it was, it was enough to keep me intrigued.
And if I could get some answers for Alaric in the process, all the better.