“I don’t need your pity or your concern,” she said, her voice softer but still guarded. “I’ve been through enough to know how to handle myself.”
Rowan nodded, respecting her defiance. “I get that. But sometimes, it’s okay to let someone in, to let someone care.”
Amara scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “You think I should just trust you?”
Rowan’s expression hardened, his jaw clenching. “I’m not asking for your trust, Amara. Just a chance.”
“A chance for what?” she challenged, her eyes flashing with anger.
“A chance to prove that I’m not like the others,” Rowan replied, his voice steady. “A chance to show you that not everyone is out to hurt you.”
Amara laughed bitterly. “That’s rich, coming from someone like you.”
“Someone like me?” Rowan echoed, raising an eyebrow.
“A privileged, entitled man who thinks he can swoop in and save the day,” Amara spat. “You have no idea what it’s like to be me, to live my life.”
Rowan’s eyes darkened, his expression turning serious. “You’re right. I don’t know what it’s like to be you. But that doesn’t mean I can’t try to understand.”
Amara shook her head, her anger simmering beneath the surface. “You can’t just waltz into my life and expect me to open up to you.”
“I’m not asking for that,” Rowan said, his voice calm but firm. “I’m asking for a chance to earn your trust, to show you that I care.”
Amara was silent for a moment, her emotions swirling inside her. She didn’t want to let her guard down, didn’t want to risk getting hurt again. But there was something in Rowan’s eyes, something genuine that made her consider his words.
“Why?” she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why do you care?”
Rowan took a step closer, his gaze unwavering. “Because I see something in you, Amara. Something worth fighting for.”
Amara’s heart skipped a beat, her defenses wavering. She wanted to believe him, wanted to trust him. But the scars of her past were deep, and she wasn’t sure if she could let herself be vulnerable again.
“Maybe,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “Maybe I can give you a chance.”
Rowan’s face softened, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “That’s all I’m asking for.”
Amara took a deep breath, her resolve faltering. “But don’t expect it to be easy. I’m not someone who trusts easily.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” Rowan replied, his voice filled with determination.
As they stood there on the quiet street, the tension between them slowly began to dissolve. Amara still had her doubts, still had her guard up. But for the first time in a long time, she felt a glimmer of hope.
“Where are you headed?” Rowan asked, breaking the silence.
“Home,” Amara replied, her voice hesitant.
“Let me give you a ride,” Rowan offered, his tone gentle.
Amara hesitated, her instincts telling her to refuse. But something in Rowan’s eyes made her reconsider.
“Fine,” she said, her voice firm. “But this doesn’t mean I trust you.”
Rowan nodded, understanding the unspoken conditions. “I know.”
As they walked to his car, Amara couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of emotions. She didn’t want to let her guard down, didn’t want to risk getting hurt again. But there was something about Rowan, something that made her believe that maybe, just maybe, he was different.
As they drove through the quiet streets, the tension between them slowly began to ease. Rowan didn’t push her to talk, didn’t try to pry into her life. He simply drove, respecting her silence.
“How did you know I was here?” Amara finally asked, breaking the silence.
Rowan glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “I didn’t. I was just driving around, thinking.”
“Thinking about what?” Amara asked, her curiosity piqued.
“About you,” Rowan admitted, his voice sincere.
Amara’s heart skipped a beat, her defenses wavering. “Why?”
“Because I can’t get you out of my mind,” Rowan replied, his voice filled with honesty. “There’s something about you, Amara. Something that draws me to you.”
Amara looked away, her emotions swirling inside her. She didn’t want to admit it, but there was something about Rowan that intrigued her, something that made her want to know more.
“You’re different from anyone I’ve ever met,” Rowan continued, his voice gentle. “And I want to understand you, to know you.”
Amara’s heart ached, her defenses crumbling. She had always been independent, always prided herself on not needing anyone. But there was something about Rowan, something that made her want to let him in.
“I don’t know if I can trust you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I understand,” Rowan replied, his voice steady. “But I’m willing to do whatever it takes to earn your trust.”
Amara’s heart softened, her resolve weakening. She wanted to believe him, wanted to trust him. But the reality was different.
“Maybe,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “Maybe I can give you a chance.”
Rowan’s face softened, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “That’s all I’m asking for.”
As they drove through the quiet streets, Amara couldn’t help but think what if they weren’t enemies.
When they finally arrived at Moretti Mansion, Rowan turned off the engine and looked at her. “Thank you for letting me give you a ride.”
Amara nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. “Thank you for not pushing me.”
“I’ll never push you,” Rowan said, his voice sincere. “I’ll always respect your boundaries.”
Amara nodded.
“Goodnight, Rowan,” she said, her voice soft.
“Goodnight, Amara,” Rowan replied, his voice gentle.
As she got out of the car and walked to her apartment, Amara couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of emotions. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts about Rowan, his unexpected concern, and the sincerity in his eyes. As she reached her door, she saw Lucas standing near it, his presence a reminder of the reality she couldn’t escape.
Lucas turned to Amara, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Everything okay, Miss? Why did you come with Rowan? I was just there waiting.”
Amara walked past him towards the living room, her expression guarded. “I was merely not trying to keep his guards up.”
Lucas nodded, but his eyes remained watchful. “Earlier, Salvatore Rossi called the boss.”
Amara stopped and looked at him seriously. “What did he say to Father?”
Lucas’s expression darkened. “He called to check on the progress. We need to hurry, Miss. Time is getting short.”
Amara sighed, the weight of their situation pressing down on her. “I know, Lucas. I know.”
She walked to the window, looking out at the city lights. The peaceful night outside contrasted sharply with the turmoil inside her. She knew they were running out of time, and the pressure from Salvatore Rossi only made things worse. They had a mission to complete, one that involved Falcone Family, and any misstep could be fatal.
Lucas stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I don’t trust Rowan. He’s too curious about you, too interested. It could complicate things.”
Amara frowned, the thought of Rowan’s growing interest in her adding another layer of complexity to their situation. “I’ll handle Rowan. Right now, we need to focus on the task at hand.”
Lucas hesitated but finally nodded. “Understood, Miss. But be careful. Rowan might seem genuine on the surface, but he is very cunning. We can’t afford to take any chances.”
“I know,” Amara replied, her voice firm. “But currently, he is the only one who can bring us closer to our mission.”
Lucas’s face hardened with concern. “We need to be careful. Trusting him too much could backfire.”
“I’ll handle him,” Amara reassured. “We don’t have the luxury of options right now.”
Lucas nodded, though his worry was evident. “Just don’t forget who we are dealing with.”
Amara gave a curt nod and turned away, focusing on the task at hand. The mission was too important, and she couldn’t afford any distractions.
The next morning, Amara met with her father, Vincent and Giovanni, in his study. The room was dimly lit, filled with the scent of old books and leather. Vincent looked up from his desk as she entered, his eyes filled with a mixture of pride and concern.
“Amara, my dear,” he greeted, his voice warm but tired.