𝒫𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓃𝓃𝑒

Chapter 24

The past few days had been a whirlwind of emotions for Eleanor and Alessio. The chemistry between them had intensified since that passionate kiss in the office. Every opportunity they had to be alone—whether in the office, her bedroom, or his—they found themselves irresistibly drawn to each other, their kisses growing more fervent each time.

Eleanor was constantly aware of the need to keep their growing intimacy a secret. The house was abuzz with curiosity, especially from the men who had noticed Alessio's shift in demeanor. The once intimidating mafia boss seemed to carry a new lightness in his step, a stark contrast to his usual, unyielding presence. His anger, while still a potent force when dealing with business, seemed to dissipate in the safe confines of their private moments.

One afternoon, Eleanor was sitting in the library, flipping through a book, trying to distract herself from the anticipatory excitement she felt about seeing Alessio again. Her mind kept drifting back to their stolen moments together, and she couldn't help but smile at the thought of him.

As the clock ticked towards late afternoon, she heard the faintest sound of footsteps approaching. Her heart skipped a beat. Alessio had this uncanny ability to make her pulse race even from a distance. She carefully placed her book down and stood up, smoothing her dress as she moved towards the door.

Just as she opened it, Alessio was there, his presence as commanding as ever. He gave her a quick, appreciative glance, his eyes dark with an emotion she had come to recognize as a mix of desire and something softer—something she was still trying to fully understand.

"Hey," Eleanor greeted him, her voice light yet betraying a hint of the excitement she felt. "What brings you here?"

Alessio's lips curved into a half-smile, and he stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. His hands found their way to her waist, pulling her close as he pressed a quick but heated kiss to her lips. "I missed you," he murmured against her mouth, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine.

...

Alessio was seated behind his mahogany desk, the dim light of his office casting long shadows across the room. The air was thick with the scent of expensive cigars and the weight of unspoken tension. He was buried in paperwork, his brow furrowed in concentration as he sifted through a stack of documents. Despite his best efforts to focus on business matters, his mind kept drifting back to Eleanor. The intensity of their recent encounters had made it increasingly difficult to concentrate on anything else.

The door to his office burst open with a suddenness that made Alessio look up sharply. Matteo stormed in, his face flushed with a mix of excitement and urgency. The usually calm and collected security chief was barely containing his energy as he approached Alessio's desk.

"Boss, we've got it!" Matteo announced breathlessly, holding up a folder. "We've finally identified the person who sent those photos of Eleanor."

Alessio's eyes narrowed, his anger simmering just below the surface. The images of Eleanor at the university had infuriated him from the moment they arrived. It wasn't just a matter of protecting her out of obligation or promise anymore; it was deeply personal. The more time he spent with her, the more he realized how much he cared. His feelings for her had evolved into something far more significant, and with that came an intensified need to ensure her safety.

"About time," Alessio said tersely, his voice carrying an edge that made it clear he was barely holding back his anger. "Tell me everything."

Matteo opened the folder and spread the contents out on the desk. "It's someone with connections to one of our rival factions," he began. "A disgruntled former associate who has been trying to get back at us for some past grievances. He used the photos to show that Eleanor wasn't safe, likely hoping to provoke us into making a mistake."

Alessio's jaw tightened as he studied the photographs. The realization that someone had been tracking Eleanor, taking these invasive pictures to undermine her safety, fueled a simmering rage within him. His thoughts raced, and he clenched his fists, feeling a dangerous mix of protectiveness and wrath.

"Have we located him?" Alessio asked, his voice low and dangerous. "I want to know where he is right now."

Matteo nodded, pulling out a document with the man's current whereabouts. "We've got his location. He's staying at a small, out-of-the-way apartment. We can take him down discreetly, but we need to move quickly."

Alessio's eyes darkened with a fierce determination. "Good. Prepare the team. I want him found and dealt with immediately. No mistakes."

Matteo nodded and turned to leave, but Alessio stopped him with a curt gesture. "One more thing," Alessio said, his voice softer but no less intense. "Make sure this message is clear. We don't take threats against our people lightly. I want him to understand exactly who he's dealing with."

As Matteo exited the office to carry out his orders, Alessio sank back into his chair, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on him. The thought of Eleanor being used as a pawn in someone else's scheme filled him with a deep-seated fury. His protective instincts had always been sharp, but now they were even more acute, fueled by a complex mix of personal attachment and raw emotion.

He ran a hand through his hair, trying to calm the storm brewing within him. The realization that his feelings for Eleanor had grown so strong made everything more intense. He wasn't just fighting to protect her out of duty; he was fighting to protect something that had become profoundly meaningful to him.

...

Eleanor descended the grand staircase, her steps echoing softly in the expansive foyer. It was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the usual bustling atmosphere of the house. She frowned as she noticed the absence of familiar faces. Alessio and Marco were nowhere to be seen, and the house felt oddly deserted.

Feeling a twinge of concern, Eleanor decided to seek out some of the other staff. She found a few in the kitchen, huddled together and speaking in hushed tones. When she approached them, her voice laced with curiosity and worry, they glanced up briefly before one of them said flatly, "They've got business to attend to. You know how it is."

Eleanor's concern deepened, but there was little she could do to pry information from the tight-lipped staff. She decided to wait in the living area, her mind racing with thoughts about where everyone could be. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden swing of the front door.

Her heart skipped a beat as she saw Alessio enter the foyer, his usually immaculate white shirt now stained with dark patches of blood. Her breath caught in her throat, and she felt a surge of panic. Without thinking, she rushed over to him, her concern overtaking her.

"Alessio! What happened? Are you okay?" she asked, her voice trembling as she reached out to him.

Alessio, still visibly riled up, looked at her with a mixture of frustration and exhaustion. The intense look in his eyes told her that he was far from calm. He raised a hand to stop her from coming any closer, his tone sharp and commanding. "Eleanor, Just go upstairs and stay out of this."

Her heart sank at his words. The sharpness in his voice stung, and she took a step back, her eyes filling with hurt. The protective barrier he had always maintained seemed to have hardened further, and she felt a pang of rejection. The warmth she had come to associate with Alessio felt distant, replaced by an unyielding wall of anger and concern.

Eleanor watched helplessly as Alessio moved past her, his demeanor rigid and focused. He headed toward the stairs, his movements purposeful but weighed down by the severity of the situation. She turned and walked back to the living area, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and sadness.

The sight of Alessio covered in blood, his terse words, and the cold distance between them left her feeling unsettled. She sank into a chair, her thoughts racing. What kind of danger had he been involved in? And why had he pushed her away so abruptly?