𝒫𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓃𝓃𝑒

Chapter 30

The next morning, the sun filtered gently through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. Alessio woke up slowly, his body still heavy with exhaustion from the previous night's operation. As he blinked away the remnants of sleep, he turned his head to find Eleanor still nestled beside him, her breathing steady and calm. She looked peaceful, and for a moment, Alessio allowed himself to simply watch her, taking in the sight of her soft features and the way her hair framed her face.

A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he recalled the events of the past few days. Life had changed so much since Eleanor had come into his world, and as he lay there beside her, he realized just how much he valued this change. For the first time in years, his life wasn't just about power, control, and responsibility—it was also about her.

Eleanor began to stir, her eyes fluttering open as she adjusted to the morning light. She turned slightly, finding Alessio's gaze already on her. A sleepy smile spread across her face as she reached up to brush a strand of hair away from her eyes.

"Good morning," she murmured, her voice still laced with the remnants of sleep.

"Good morning," Alessio replied, his voice warm. He leaned in to press a kiss to her forehead, the simple gesture filled with affection.

Eleanor sighed contentedly, snuggling closer to him. "Did you sleep well?"

"I did," Alessio admitted. "Better than I have in a long time."

"Good," she said, resting her head against his chest. "I'm glad."

They lay there for a while longer, enjoying the quiet comfort of each other's presence. Eventually, though, the demands of the day began to creep back into Alessio's mind. He had a meeting with his men later, and there was still the matter of how to address his relationship with Eleanor. The time had come to be honest with the rest of his team.

"I have to get up soon," Alessio said, breaking the comfortable silence.

Eleanor groaned softly, clearly reluctant to let go of the peaceful morning they were sharing. "Do you have to?"

"Unfortunately, yes," he replied with a sigh. "There's a lot to handle today."

Eleanor nodded, understanding. She knew that Alessio's responsibilities were vast, and while she cherished their moments together, she also respected the weight he carried. "I'll be here when you're done," she said, offering him a reassuring smile.

Alessio kissed her once more before reluctantly pulling himself out of bed. He showered and dressed quickly, donning another one of his impeccably tailored suits. As he adjusted his tie in the mirror, he caught a glimpse of Eleanor watching him from the bed, her eyes following his every move.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked, curious about the look on her face.

Eleanor smiled softly, sitting up and hugging her knees to her chest. "Just how different things are now. I never imagined I'd be here, in your world, with you."

Alessio turned to face her, his expression serious. "Neither did I, Eleanor. But I'm glad you're here. More than you know."

Her heart swelled at his words, and she felt a warmth spread through her chest. "Me too, Alessio. Me too."

With that, he finished getting ready and headed downstairs to meet his men. As he entered the room where Jay, Luca, Matteo, and Marco were waiting, he could feel the tension in the air. They were still riding the high of their successful operation against the French mafia, but there was an underlying sense of anticipation—Alessio had called this meeting for a reason, and they were all eager to find out why.