Novel-novel oleh Alexis389

The quiet after the sensors went off never fully returned. Killian stayed sharp, checking the feeds every few minutes, gun always within reach. He went to the small office corner of the cabin to review the security logs more carefully. I followed and leaned against the doorway. His back was tense as he scrolled through the tablet. “Something’s wrong,” he said after a long silence. “The outer sensors triggered, but the pattern is clean. Too clean. Like they knew exactly where the blind spots were.” I stepped closer. “How is that possible? You said this place was off-grid.” Killian’s jaw tightened. He pulled up another screen. The GPS logs from the vehicle we had used and the cabin’s secondary tracker. His face went colder. “Someone accessed the backup location data,” he muttered. “From the mansion through my office system. The log shows a pull late last night.” My stomach dropped. Only a few people had access to that office. Dante. Father. And the people who came and went freely n

He stopped. Looked at me. The same hunger that always lived between us flared in his eyes. The cabin was quiet except for the soft hum of the security system. Killian moved behind me. I felt his body heat before his hands rested lightly on my shoulders. “Talk to me.” “I keep seeing her head,” I whispered. “She didn’t deserve that.” Killian’s fingers tightened slightly. “He will pay for it. Every second of pain he caused. But right now my only job is you. Keeping you alive." I turned to face him. The cabin felt smaller with us standing so close. I reached up and touched his face. The rough stubble under my fingers grounded me. “I’m glad it’s you. Not some other guard. Not one of my brothers. You.” He leaned into my touch for a second, then pulled back just enough to stay in control. “We have to be careful even here. One mistake and everything falls apart. But…” He exhaled slowly. “I can’t pretend I don’t want you. Not when it’s just us.” The honesty in his voice made my chest ach

The days after Bianca’s failed seduction attempt felt heavier than usual. Father was still pushing for the Valenti alliance even after I agreedto marry anyone else. My brothers still argued against it. I was in the stables that morning, trying to clear my head. My favorite horse, a sleek black mare named Storm, nuzzled my hand as I fed her an apple. She had been a birthday gift from Dante years ago. Riding her was one of the few things that still felt free to do. I stroked her neck and whispered soft words, wishing the rest of my life could feel this simple. I didn’t know what was already on its way. Around midday, a delivery van pulled up to the main gate. The guards checked it, then brought a large wooden box into the front hall. Father was in a meeting with Dante and Marco. Enzo was nearby. I came in from the garden just as they opened it. The smell hit first. Then the guards stepped back, faces pale. Inside the box, resting on a bed of black silk, was the severed head of Storm

The storm hit hard that evening. Rain poured down, thunder rumbling in the distance. I slipped out of the mansion through the kitchen entrance with my hood up, moving quickly toward the garden. Killian was already there, waiting under the cover of the trees. His clothes were soaked, hair plastered to his head, His eyes were dark with hurt and anger. He grabbed my arm as soon as I reached him, pulling me deeper into the garden. “You told your father you’d marry anyone else? Even a capo? You’re giving up on us?” The rain soaked us both. I pushed back against him, voice rising over the storm. “It was to buy time! To protect you from Father’s suspicion. I don’t want anyone else. Only you. It was a desperate move. To keep our secret safe. To keep you alive.” He pinned me against the brick wall of the garden shed, the rain kept pouring over us as his body pressed into mine. “You think that makes it better? Hearing you offer yourself to another man? Even to save me? It felt like you were

Dante stepped in fast. “Father, stop. Killian was just performing his duty as a guard. He’s sworn to protect Alessia. He acted on instinct. Nothing more.” The words were a cover up. Dante’s voice was steady, but I saw the unease in his eyes. He was buying us time. Saving Killian’s life. The room quieted slightly. Father lowered his hand, but the rage stayed in his eyes. Lorenzo Valenti looked at Killian with narrow eyes. He clearly sensed something was off. The “guard” was more than he seemed especially with the way Killian had moved to protect me. The tension between us was obvious to anyone paying attention. Lorenzo’s gaze lingered on Killian for a while longer. The night dragged on in heavy silence. The engagement announcement was ruined. Everyone around us whispered while Bianca just quietly watched everything that was happening before her eyes. Father was furious even as Dante tried to smooth things over. At the end of the night, Lorenzo pulled me aside for a moment. His hand

Today was a day I wished would never come. The gala for the official engagement announcement. The mansion's ballroom was decorated with flowers and crystal, music playing softly in the background. The Valenti family arrived in a show of power with black cars lining the driveway, guards everywhere. Lorenzo Valenti walked in like he already owned me. He was dressed in a sharp suit with a dangerous smile on his face whilst his eyes were on me the whole time. Father greeted them with open arms. The alliance was sealed in his mind. I stood beside him in a modest but elegant dress. I was trying to keep my face calm. But inside, I was screaming. Lorenzo took my hand immediately, kissing the back of it. His lips lingered. His thumb stroked my skin. “Alessia. You look beautiful. I’m looking forward to our future together.” I forced a small smile. “Thank you.” He stayed close the whole night. Too close. His hand on my lower back as we moved through the room. His fingers brushing my arm when