ALESSIA'S POV:
"You should smile," He whispered, leaning in as he placed his hand on my back.
I forced a smile at the people watching as we walked into the room.
I felt naked walking with this dress— it hugged me like liquid silk, every line on display.
The neckline plunged, the slit cut high, the shimmer catching light like fire. Stunning.
But wearing it felt like standing bare in a room full of eyes.
My jaw tightened as some ladies walked up to him, ignoring me.
He didn't even care—he just smiled, entertaining them.
He didn't notice when I stopped following and walked off with his guards.
I smiled at the people around me and moved as if following him, toward an empty spot at the back where he sat.
"The suit fits you so well, Don Marchetti," A lady purred as she slid into the seat beside him.
The smile he gave her, the way his eyes lingered—it twisted my stomach into knots.
He had sprung this dinner party on me without warning, and now he dared to flirt so openly with another woman?
Wasn't that disgraceful?
To me… to my dignity?
I bit down on my lower lip and turned away.
This was going to be a long night…
I exhaled, placing my hands under my chin.
My eyes caught a man standing alone in the corner.
He raised his glass to me with a smile.
I glanced back at Cesare. He was still leaning in, flirting with that bitch.
If he wasn't going to give me any respect, why should I respect him?
I rose from my seat, smiled at the waiter, and plucked a glass of wine before heading toward the man in the corner.
"Forgive me for staring so hard," He chuckled as I reached him, dipping into a soft bow.
A gentleman?
"I see you're as lonely as I am," I replied, lifting my glass.
"Such a beautiful lady doesn't deserve to be lonely." He raised his glass to mine with a soft clink.
"You're a rarity, even on the scale of beauty."
Tell that to the bastard. I scoffed, stealing a glance at Cesare.
Of course, he hadn't even noticed I was gone.
"I'm Luca Benedetti," He chuckled.
"And to whom do I have the honor?"
"Alessia Ferraro," I said with a soft laugh, sipping my wine.
"You've such a sweet way with words, Don Benedetti."
"I'm not a Don yet, my lady," He grinned.
"Perhaps with you by my side, I could be."
I rolled my eyes. Smooth.
The music swelled.
"May I have this dance?" He bowed, hand extended.
"Sure…" I chuckled, slipping my hand into his.
My eyes caught Cesare's as Luca led me to the dance floor.
That look on his face—God, it thrilled me.
What was going through his mind?
Not that I cared…
I wrapped an arm around Luca's shoulder, letting his settle at my waist.
When I peeked again, Cesare was still staring. My throat tightened. I turned quickly back to Luca.
"Is something wrong, Lady Alessia?" His eyes searched mine.
"Am I doing this badly?"
"No," I muttered, leaning closer.
But why did Cesare's gaze suddenly make me feel… afraid?
"Perhaps we should find somewhere quieter," Luca murmured, glancing toward Cesare.
"That'll be—"
"There must be a place." He caught my hand and steered me out of the room.
_____
CESARE'S POV:
I stared at my watch for a while. It had been five minutes since they left the room.
She looked excited, pulling that stunt. Was this her way of revolting because I had ignored her? How silly.
What made her smile so much in that bastard's arms?
And the way he held her waist...
I looked in that direction. How dare he touch what was mine?
She was my property, and I alone had the right to do whatever I wanted with her.
"Should I go get her back, Boss?" Bernardino asked, noticing how hard I stared in the direction.
"You." I turned to one of the men beside him. "Go find them, and bring her back here."
"Yes, Boss."
I leaned back in the chair and watched the lady. My mood was ruined — I would have toyed with her tonight.
She ran her fingers through her hair and leaned closer. "I hear there are a lot of rooms in the building, Don Marchetti. Perhaps we..." She paused, biting her bottom lip as she scanned me.
"There's a lot I can show you," She purred, winking.
I forced a smile and turned my face away. Why did that little kitty have me so pissed?
_____
"It's been twenty minutes," I muttered, checking my watch.
They'd been gone twenty whole minutes. The lady beside me chattered like a parrot for that much time—annoying as hell.
"Boss…" The man I'd sent to check the rooms bowed as he returned.
"I couldn't find them."
"Did you check every room?" Bernardino cut in before I could speak.
"I—I couldn't get into some of them," the man stammered, eyes down.
How useless.
"I'll check myself, Boss." Bernardino stood up, glaring at the man.
"There's no need to go alone." I shoved the lady aside and stood up.
"Let's go together."
I would catch them in whatever act they were committing and punish her in a way she'd never forget.
People hushed and parted as we moved; hiding their faces from my sight.
I waited as Bernardino checked the first room the messenger couldn't enter.
"They're not here, Boss." He shook his head.
"Not here either." He said again, coming out of another room.
Where the hell had they gone? I scanned the hallway.
"Keep checking."
We cleared three more rooms. Nothing.
"You don't have to follow us, Boss. I'll—"
A scream cut him off — that's definitely her voice.
"Move!" Bernardino snapped at the others before I could speak.
I halted at the entrance, breath hitching at her whimper. My chest clenched.
She covered her chest with one hand; the other rested on her cheek — flushed with the imprint of a slap.
I launched at the bastard and sent him to the floor with a punch.
"I had that made with three hundred thousand." I kicked him, glancing at her torn clothes.
My jaw tightened. This bastard... he dared.
My men rushed in and pinned him to the floor.
"Drag him out." I growled, looking at Bernadino.
_____
Everyone watched as we dragged the bastard out; everything seemed to halt.
They murmured and stared at Alessia. I glared at anyone I caught looking.
"Don Marchetti," a man called, huffing as he met us at the door.
"I don't know what Luca's done, but—"
"Tell Don Benedetti that this man will pay for touching my property," I said, glaring as I walked away.
He coughed, choking on his breath as they shoved him to the ground. A crowd had already gathered.
"As punishment for touching what was not yours—" I pulled Alessia close as I stepped toward him.
"You will lose your eyes and hands."
She snapped her head to me. Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"Watch," I rasped as she turned away as Bernardino drew his knife to begin the execution.
_____
"You." I followed her into the room, eyes fixed on her.
"What the hell did you think you were doing?!"