108

108
Allesio’s POV
The morning air hung heavy with the smell of fresh coffee and eggs, wafting in from the kitchen down the hall. I leaned against the marble counter in the dining room, watching Rosa pour herself a glass of orange juice. She moved with an elegance that seemed effortless, like someone who’d been raised to command attention without trying.
“Rough night?” I asked, my tone light as I took a seat at the table.
She glanced at me, one brow arching slightly. She gave me a knowing look and then proceeded to play along like I hadn’t spent the night in her room. “Not at all. Slept like a baby.”
I smirked. “Impressive, considering the racket Irene was making earlier.”
She chuckled softly, and it was the kind of sound that could soften even the hardest edges of a man like me.
She joined me at the table, sliding into the chair across from mine. Her hair was still damp from a shower, loose waves cascading over her shoulders. She was casual today-jeans and a fitted sweater-but somehow, even that felt regal on her.
“Irene’s coffee helps,” she said, lifting her mug in a mock toast.
“Ah, the secret weapon,” I teased.
Her lips curved upward, but her eyes carried that familiar guarded glint. She was back to shutting me out. To keeping her walls up high. I frowned slightly, wondering if I had given anything away or if she had realized that she had probably said too much when we were together.
We eased into breakfast, the conversation light and easy at first-banter about the weather, a passing comment about Irene’s obsession with overcooking bacon. But as the meal wore on, I saw my chance to nudge the conversation into more… interesting territory.
“Hypothetically,” I began, swirling my coffee, “if you were running a negotiation and the other party refused to meet halfway, what would you do?”
Her fork paused midway to her mouth. She looked at me, her expression unreadable. “That’s a loaded question for breakfast.”
I shrugged, keeping my tone casual. “Just curious. You strike me as someone who’d have a solid strategy for a situation like that.”
She chewed her food slowly, her eyes narrowing slightly. “I guess it depends on what’s at stake.”
I nodded, encouraging her to go on.
“If the stakes are high enough, you find leverage,” she said finally, her tone measured. “Something they want or need more than what they’re holding out for.”
“Smart,” I said, meeting her gaze. “And if they still won’t budge?”
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, I thought she’d brush off the question. Instead, she set down her fork and leaned back in her chair.
“Sometimes you have to let them think they’ve won,” she said. “It’s easier to lead someone when they don’t realize they’re being led.”
Her words hit harder than she probably realized. It was almost poetic, considering how I’d been steering her without her knowledge.
“Interesting approach,” I said, feigning a contemplative tone. “You must’ve seen some impressive negotiators in your line of work.”
Her guard flickered, her expression shifting into something more cautious. “Maybe,” she said vaguely.
I took a sip of my coffee, pretending not to notice her hesitation. “It’s a delicate dance, isn’t it? Syndicate politics, I mean.”
She froze, just for a fraction of a second, before recovering. “I suppose it is.”
I gave her an easy smile. “I’d imagine trust plays a big part in it. Knowing who you can count on.”
Her eyes darkened slightly, her demeanor shifting back into that impenetrable calm. “Trust is… complicated.”
The conversation shifted after that, Rosa skillfully steering us back into safer territory. She asked about the vineyard Alaric owned in Tuscany, and I indulged her curiosity, weaving a story about the intricacies of wine production.
But even as she smiled and laughed at my words, I couldn’t get my mind off what she had said.
Trust is complicated.
She didn’t realize it, but in those three words, she’d revealed more about herself than she probably intended.
Later, as we walked out onto the patio, I decided to press my luck one more time.
“You know,” I said, leaning against the railing, “it’s fascinating how much power comes from perception.”
She tilted her head, giving me a curious look. “How so?”
“Take your father, for example,” I said, watching her carefully. “He has a reputation, right? People respect him, fear him even, not just because of what he does but because of what they think he’s capable of.”
Her expression didn’t betray much, but I caught the faintest flicker of something in her eyes-pride, maybe, or wariness.
“Perception is a tool,” she said after a moment. “But it’s only useful if you can back it up.”
I nodded, letting her think I was absorbing her wisdom. “And your family can back it up, I’m sure.”
She gave me a small smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You seem very interested in my family today.”
Busted.
I held up my hands in mock surrender. “Guilty. But can you blame me? You’re not exactly an open book, Rosa.”
She laughed softly, and the sound was more genuine this time. “Maybe I like being a mystery.”
“I can respect that,” I said, my tone sincere. She smiled at me and I could feel her walls lowering once again. I loved that she was smiling now but as much as I loved it, the guilt gnawed at me.
Every word I said, every question I had asked her was part of a game I wasn’t sure I wanted to play anymore. Rosa deserved better than this. She deserved honesty, not manipulation.
And yet, I couldn’t stop. Not when Alaric’s orders were as clear as ever. Suddenly, I wanted some space away from her. I couldn’t handle it anymore, standing next to her and lying to her face.
“Are you okay?” She asked, a frown on her face. My mood swing must have been obvious on my face and I nodded.
“Yes, I’m fine,” I lied, nodding my head. “I have some stuff to take care of. I’ll talk to you later?” I asked and turned away from her, walking into the house without waiting for an answer.
“Wait,” she called out, making me halt. I turned around to her slowly. “I’m supposed to represent my father at an event here in the city in two days. Would you like to come? I’m sorry the invitation is coming in late, but I only just decided to attend.”
“Yeah,” I answered without hesitation, a smile blooming on my lips.