barely slept, her mind racing with thoughts of Luca's late-night visit and the look in his e

ldn't sit idly by, waiting for him to re

she straightened. Her father had taught her that appearance could be a weapon, a way to unnerve opponents and throw

f Luca's men whispering in the hallways, each glance shadowed with suspicion. Yet

uca already seated at the head of the table

Alessa," he g

y poised. She took her seat beside him, h

s eyes on her. Once breakfast was over, she stood,

, meeting his gaze head-on. "After all, if this

amusement. "By all mean

her wander freely, but that didn't mean

mind was already mapping out possible exits, hiding spots, and lesser-used paths. She'd grown u

ching her closely. His gaze was cold and calculating. Her encounter with him t

e greeted, her voice lace

eadable. "Mrs. DeLuca," he replied, the

uidance. Alessa dismissed her with a subtle nod, and Carmen hesit

urned to Rocco, her eyes narrowing.

ed into a smile. "T

nversation last night," she said, watching his face for any reaction.

lking about," he replied, hi

closer. "I know you're planning something agai

trust you? You're nothing

'm not interested in controlling you. I just want what's ri

s face, but there was also a flicker o

Freedom. And perha

to realize that Alessa could be a valuable ally, especially if s

king but begrudgingly respectful. "We'll see

bilities. Aligning herself with Rocco was risky, but it could be the leverage she

est waiting for her. Carmen stood by the window, her face pale, h

, raising an eyebrow.

Mrs. DeLuca," she whispered. "I've worked here long enough to see what goes on..

uickened. "Why are y

him," Carmen replied, her voice filled with fear.

Carmen, if you know anything at all that c

ed, "There's a hidden passage beneath the house. Only a few people know about it.

is was the opportunity

d, gripping her hand. "You m

with worry. "Just be careful. L

aid the passage was hidden. She'd memorized the patrol routes of Luca's men, moving silently through the sha

of an entrance. Then, she found it-a small latch, almost invisible in the dim light. With a quiet b

air was cold, thick with the scent of dust. She went down the stairs, each step echoing through the

with crates and files, stacks of documents that looked decades old. But it was what sat in the

ation-accounts, blackmail material, names of allies and enemies alike. Luca had been collect

footsteps approaching the hidden door. Her heart leapt, and

aw Luca step inside, his eyes scanning the room. His

urself, Ales

cing for a way out. She'd been caugh

eyes narrowing. "I warned y