Alessandro stood in the shadows, his eyes following Rowan’s car as it disappeared into the distance.
The cool night air of Las Vegas clung to him, but he felt none of its chill. His mind was elsewhere, focused on the scene he had just witnessed. He had come to the Moretti mansion tonight to check on Amara himself, but he hadn’t expected Rowan to be here.
It was an interesting development, one he hadn’t anticipated. Alessandro’s lips curved into a slow, calculating smile.
He had arrived just moments before Rowan and had watched from a distance as the other man approached the mansion with stealth and precision. Alessandro had quickly realized that Rowan was here for Amara.
His expression had remained calm, almost detached, as he recorded the entire scene with his phone. The way Rowan moved, the way he watched over her, . Alessandro had spent enough time in this world to recognize the signs. Rowan was worried. Terrified, The cold and cunning Rowan was terrified.
Wasn’t he too worried for her?
Alessandro mused, his smirk deepening. There was something between Rowan and Amara, something he hadn’t fully understood until now. Their families were enemies, how the hell Rowan ended up being Vaughn’s father and how the hell even he didn’t know about it.. well.. it had nothing to do with him either..
When Rowan finally retreated, Alessandro waited a few more minutes, ensuring the coast was clear. His eyes lingered on the darkened mansion for a moment longer before he turned and walked back to his car, parked in the shadows of the deserted street. He moved, each step measured, deliberate. His mind was already working, spinning a web of plans and contingencies. Tonight had given him valuable insight.. Rowan’s weakness was Amara.
As he reached his car, a sleek, black vehicle that blended into the night, Alessandro pulled out his phone and dialed a number. The line rang twice before a gruff voice answered, “Boss?”
“Gilbert,” Alessandro said, his tone calm and commanding, “meet me at the usual spot.”
“Yes, boss,” came the immediate response. There was a click, and the line went dead. Alessandro slipped his phone back into his pocket and got into his car. The engine purred to life, and he pulled away from the curb with a smooth, almost lazy acceleration.
His destination was a private mansion on the outskirts of Las Vegas.. a secluded spot that only a few trusted people knew about.
A place where he could plan and strategize without interruption.
The drive was quick, the roads empty at this hour, and Alessandro’s mind was a whirl of thoughts and schemes. He had always known Rowan was a formidable opponent, a man not easily swayed or intimidated. But now he had an edge. Rowan had gone against him too many times, crossed lines that should never have been crossed. And now it was his turn to strike back.
When Alessandro reached the mansion, the gates swung open automatically, and he drove through, the gravel crunching under the tires. The mansion loomed ahead, a dark silhouette against the night sky. Gilbert was already there, waiting by the door, his tall, broad frame imposing even in the dim light. As Alessandro stepped out of the car, Gilbert straightened, his face a mask of professionalism.
“What’s your orders, boss?” Gilbert asked, his voice steady but with a hint of curiosity.
Alessandro motioned for him to follow and led the way inside. The interior of the mansion was just as dark as the exterior, the only light coming from the flickering flames in the fireplace. Alessandro didn’t bother turning on the lights; he preferred the darkness. It made people uneasy, gave him an advantage. He walked over to the bar, poured himself a drink, and took a sip, savoring the burn of the whiskey as it slid down his throat.
He turned to face Gilbert, his eyes glittering in the firelight. “I have a plan,” he began, his voice low and smooth. “Rowan has become too much of a problem. He’s too invested in Amara, too protective. That gives us an opportunity. We’re going to use her to draw him out, to make him vulnerable.”
Gilbert listened intently, his eyes narrowing slightly as Alessandro laid out the details. The plan was ruthless, cold-blooded.. a perfect reflection of Alessandro’s nature. When Alessandro finished speaking, there was a moment of silence. Gilbert’s face betrayed a flicker of shock, maybe even panic, but he quickly masked it, his expression smoothing into one of obedience.
“Consider it done, boss,” Gilbert said, his voice steady, though there was an edge of unease to it.
Alessandro smirked, pleased with the response. “Good,” he said softly, his eyes dark with anticipation. “Make sure everything is in place. I want no mistakes.”
Gilbert nodded, turning on his heel and leaving the room to carry out his orders. Alessandro watched him go, his smile widening. This was going to be interesting. Rowan had pushed him too far, and now it was time for payback. Alessandro took another sip of his drink, his mind racing with possibilities, with the fun he would have ahead.
Rowan had always been a thorn in his side, an unpredictable element in an otherwise well-ordered world. But now, Alessandro had the upper hand. He knew Rowan’s weakness, and he intended to exploit it to the fullest. He moved to the window, looking out into the night, his thoughts dark and twisted. This was his game now, and he was going to enjoy every moment of it.
The minutes ticked by, and Alessandro’s mind continued to work, laying out the steps, the contingencies, the traps. He would have to move quickly, precisely. Rowan would not go down easily. But Alessandro was confident. He had always been good at this.. outsmarting his enemies, staying one step ahead.
And now, he had the perfect bait and the perfect way to draw Rowan out, to make him come to him.
He could already picture it in his mind.. Rowan, desperate, reckless, walking right into his trap. Alessandro’s smile turned cold, almost predatory. Yes, this was going to be fun. Rowan had dared to defy him, had dared to try and protect Amara from him. But he would soon learn that no one, not even someone like Rowan, could stand in Alessandro’s way… not for long..