The voices outside the room grew louder.
Elena stiffened as she stood beside the desk.
At first it had only been faint murmurs echoing through the corridor, but now the words were sharper, and more urgent.
She moved quietly toward the door.
The clean marble floor was cold beneath her bare feet, the dim evening light spilling through the tall windows casting long shadows across the room. The mansion always felt imposing, but tonight it felt… tense.
Elena leaned closer to the door, holding her breath as the men spoke rapidly in Italian.
She couldn't understand most of it but she caught some fragments.
"…non qui…"
"…problema serio…"
"…Caruso…"
The name again.
Caruso.
Her fingers slowly tightened around the edge of the desk beside her.
Who the hell is Caruso? Her thoughts raced. She had seen the name in the files and now she had heard it whispered in the hallway.
And the men outside sounded… worried.
That alone was enough to send a chill down her spine.
Then suddenly—Silence. The hallway went completely quiet.
Elena barely had time to step away from the door before it opened.
Lucian stepped back into the room and the shift in the atmosphere was immediate.
Behind him stood Marco and Matteo.
Marco usually looked relaxed, amused, almost playful but not tonight, his smile was faint, but his eyes were sharp and alert.
Matteo, on the other hand, looked exactly like what he was — a man who had spent years dealing with danger.
His expression was unreadable—cold, watchful, calculating.
Marco noticed Elena first.
"Well," he said lightly, though his tone carried an edge, "look who's here."
Elena rolled her eyes.
Marco let out a quiet chuckle.
Matteo did not smile.
His gaze moved slowly across the room scanning and looking at the shelves, the files, the desk and everything.
Then it settled on Elena looking at her like she was about to steal some important documents.
"You shouldn't be here."
His voice was calm, but you could tell he didn't like that she was there.
Lucian stepped fully inside and shut the door behind him with a firm click.
"She's already here."
Marco walked farther into the room, slipping his hands into his pockets as he glanced around casually.
"You know," he said, tilting his head slightly as he looked at Elena, "most guests don't start their stay by breaking into the boss's private archive."
Elena raised an eyebrow.
"Most guests aren't kidnapped either."
Marco laughed softly.
"Fair point."
Lucian ignored the exchange.
He walked toward the desk, gathering the documents Elena had been reading earlier his movements were calm and unhurried.
But Elena could feel the tension surrounding him like an invisible storm.
Something serious had happened.
She could feel it in the way Marco wasn't joking as much as usual, in the way Matteo stood near the door like a guard and in the way Lucian's shoulders were slightly more rigid than before.
"What's going on?" she asked.
No one answered.
Marco leaned casually against one of the shelves, folding his arms while Matteo remained near the door, silent and but on guard.
Elena looked directly at Lucian.
"You keep saying this world is dangerous," she said slowly.
"So tell me what just happened."
Lucian closed one of the folders carefully.
"Elena." he called her name as if it was the most natural thing for him to do.
"Yes?"
"This conversation does not concern you."
Her patience snapped instantly.
"I heard the name again."
Lucian paused.
"Elena—"
"Caruso."
The room froze.
Marco straightened.
Matteo's eyes narrowed slightly.
Lucian slowly lifted his gaze toward her.
"You were listening."
"I was standing in the room you told me to stay in."
Lucian studied her for a long moment, then he sighed quietly.
Marco muttered something under his breath.
"Testarda."
Elena frowned immediately, annoyed. She's doesn't like it when they spoke in Italian, it was hard for to understand
"What does that mean?"
Marco grinned.
"Stubborn."
"Good," she said firmly. Her hands folded under her chest.
"Because I'm not leaving until someone explains what's happening."
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Lucian exchanged a brief look with Marco and Matteo then he looked back at her.
His voice lowered slightly. His eyes glinting with pure manac and his entire presence radiated danger.
"Alessandro Caruso runs one of the most powerful criminal organizations in northern Italy he is extremely dangerous, a criminal and our mortal enemy."
Elena blinked.
"You're serious."
"Very."
Matteo spoke for the first time.
"For years there has been… balance between our families."
Marco added casually,
"A balance built on threats, guns, and mutual hatred."
Elena slowly processed that information.
"And now?"
Lucian's expression darkened.
"Now that balance may be shifting."
A cold feeling spread through her chest.
"Because of me?"
Lucian did not answer which was answer enough.
Her stomach tightened.
"You said I witnessed something I shouldn't have but are there's not more to it."
"Yes."
"And now this Caruso thinks I'm important?"
Lucian stepped closer.
"He believes everyone has a weakness."
"And you think he thinks I'm yours."
Lucian's eyes locked onto hers for a moment the room seemed to disappear.
Then he said quietly, "Considering the fact that you're alive and personally brought you into my home? He pused before adding." l do not think... i know."
Elena's heart skipped.
Before she could respond, Marco suddenly pushed himself away from the shelf.
"Well," he said, clapping his hands once, "this is getting wonderfully dramatic."
Lucian shot him a look.
Marco shrugged.
"What? The girl deserves honesty."
Matteo spoke again.
"Caruso's men were seen near the estate this morning but we're not exactly sure where exactly."
Elena's stomach dropped.
"Near here?"
Marco nodded.
Lucian turned to Matteo. " And what about the security?"
" I've increased them."
"Good."
Lucian looked back at Elena.
"You will remain inside the estate."
She stared at him.
"You're joking."
"I am not."
"You can't lock me inside a mansion, I've been inside since I arrived here. I don't even what's going on out these walls!"
Lucian stepped closer.
"I can."
His voice was calm and cold.
"And I will."
Her anger flared instantly.
"I'm not your prisoner!"
Lucian's gaze darkened. "You are exactly that." his voice sharp cutting her heart.
The words hit harder than she expected, the silence that followed was oppressive.
Then Lucian's voice softened slightly. "But you are also under my protection so you'll be safe."
Elena shook her head as if not wanting to believe this whole thing.
"This is insane."
Marco muttered from the side,
"Benvenuta nel nostro mondo."
Elena glared at him clearly irritated.
"What does that mean?" she asked with a scowl on her face.
Marco gave a small smile.
"Welcome to our world."
But all she did was scoffed before an heavy, uncomfortable silence settled in again.
Then Lucian spoke. His voice breaking in.
"Marco."
"Yes, boss?"
"Prepare the car."
Elena blinked. "For what?"
Lucian's gaze sharpened slightly.
"Because if Caruso's men are watching the estate…" He paused, the faintest, most dangerous smile touching his lips. "…then they should see something interesting."
Elena didn't like the sound of that.
"And what exactly does that mean?"
Lucian stepped closer to her. Close enough that she could feel the authority radiating from him. Close enough that the air between them suddenly felt too warm.
"It means," he said calmly,
"you are coming with me."
Her brows furrowed instantly.
"I thought you said I had to stay inside."
"I did."
"Then why the car?"
Lucian held her gaze for a long moment. Then he said quietly,
"Because if Caruso believes you are my weakness…"
his voice lowered slightly, "…then it's time he sees exactly how close you are to me."
Elena's heart skipped. Outside. Into his world.
And judging by the tension filling the room—
Tonight was not going to be safe.