The Mafiaso And The AD 1024

A Five-Star Welcome

Donte's PoV

The sleek, black coach rolled to a stop in front of the five-star hotel I had reserved for this trip.

The grandeur of the place was impossible to miss-polished marble floors, towering glass windows, and a doorman who tipped his hat as we disembarked.

It was the kind of place that screamed luxury, exactly the sort of impression I wanted to make for this business trip.

The employees, Marcel, and I all grabbed our luggage from the coach, though some of the more magically inclined employees had their bags floating effortlessly in the air beside them.

I noticed, however, that Amara held onto her luggage as if she were just another human-no magic, no floating, just the weight of her belongings in her hands.

We made our way into the lobby, a few employees admiring the opulent surroundings while others seemed unfazed, likely used to such extravagance.

I passed out the hotel key cards, taking note of the room assignments.

As luck would have it, Amara's room was right beside mine, and Marcel's room was on the other side of her.

It wasn't entirely planned, but it worked out better than I could have hoped.

Marcel gave me a knowing glance, a hint of a smile playing on his lips as he realized the proximity.

I had a feeling he was going to try to strike up a friendship with her during this trip. Honestly, I'd be glad if he succeeded.

Amara seemed like someone who carried the weight of the world on her shoulders, always keeping her guard up.

If Marcel could break through that and give her some semblance of companionship, it would do her good.

Maybe she'd finally understand what it felt like to have someone by her side to share in the happiness that only friendship could bring.

It might even help her stave off the loneliness I suspected she carried around like an invisible cloak.

We all made our way to our respective rooms. I unlocked my door, stepping into the plush space that would be my home for the next few days.

It was immaculate, as expected-king-sized bed, a minibar stocked with top-shelf liquor, and a large balcony that overlooked the city below.

I placed my luggage on the bed and couldn't resist the pull of the balcony, stepping outside to take in the view.

As I leaned against the railing, the light in Amara's room flicked on, drawing my attention.

The curtains were slightly parted, and from my vantage point, I could see just enough to satisfy my curiosity.

I watched as clothes floated from her suitcase, hovering in the air with practised ease.

She wasn't even looking at them, her focus elsewhere as her belongings found their way into the wardrobe.

It was a subtle display of power, one that confirmed what I already suspected-Amara was far from ordinary.

But what caught my attention next was the way she scanned the room, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she were searching for something.

It didn't take long to realize she was checking for cameras, likely trying to ensure her privacy.

It made me wonder how much she had to hide and how deep her secrets ran.

And more importantly, how much of that she intended to keep hidden from me.

I stepped back slightly, not wanting to be caught staring, though the image of her floating clothes stayed with me.

Amara was an enigma, one I was determined to unravel.

But there was a fine line between revealing her secrets and pushing her too far.

Whatever she was hiding, it was tied to that flicker of power I'd seen back on the coach, the slight shift in her eye colour that told me she wasn't like the others. She was something else entirely.

The door to her balcony slid open, and I pulled back, retreating into the shadows of my own room. I wasn't ready to confront her yet, not here and not now.

But I knew that soon enough, we'd have to address the tension that had been building between us, the unspoken knowledge that we were both playing a game of cat and mouse.

For now, I'd let her think she was still in control, but the clock was ticking. And when the time came, I'd be ready.

I turned back into my room, closing the balcony door behind me. My thoughts were already spinning with the possibilities of what lay ahead.

The business trip was just a cover-an opportunity to keep her close, observe, and see what would happen when she let her guard down.

Whatever secrets Amara Petrova held, I was determined to uncover them.

But I had to be careful. After all, it wasn't just about the thrill of the chase.

There was something about her, something that made me want to protect her even as I sought to reveal her truths.

With a sigh, I loosened my tie and glanced at the luggage still sitting on the bed.

The game had only just begun, and I was in no hurry to reach the end.

Whatever Amara was hiding, it was going to take more than a few days to uncover.

But that was fine by me. After all, some things were worth the wait.