Veil of Vengeance

Chapter 11: Boundaries Blurred

Isabella's POV

The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm, golden hue over my apartment as I poured myself a cup of coffee. I was exhausted from the long night of sorting through documents, but I couldn't afford to rest—not with everything that was at stake. Alessandro had crashed on my couch, his tall frame somehow managing to fit comfortably. The sight of him there, looking so out of place yet oddly at ease, made me smirk.

"Morning," Alessandro grumbled as he stirred awake, rubbing his eyes. "Is that coffee I smell, or are you trying to bribe me to stay for breakfast?"

"Considering I have nothing but cereal and questionable leftovers in the fridge, I wouldn't call it a bribe," I replied, handing him a mug. "But hey, the coffee's fresh."

He took a sip, his expression softening slightly. "Not bad for someone who claims they don't have time for luxuries."

"I never said that," I shot back, rolling my eyes. "I just prioritize caffeine over... well, everything else."

Alessandro chuckled, a low, warm sound that caught me off guard. It was strange, seeing this side of him—the side that wasn't all business and cold calculation. It made him seem more... human, which was a dangerous thought to entertain.

"So, what's the plan for today?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation back to safer territory.

"We need to follow up on those names we found," Alessandro said, setting his mug down. "If Federico was tied to people in power, they'll try to cover their tracks. We can't let that happen."

"Agreed," I nodded, my mind already racing with possibilities. "But we'll need to be discreet. If they catch wind that we're onto them..."

"They won't," Alessandro cut in, his tone firm. "We'll keep this between us. No one else can know."

The way he said it—so confident, so sure—sent a shiver down my spine. There was something about Alessandro that made you believe he could handle anything, no matter how impossible it seemed. And that was both reassuring and terrifying.

"Fine by me," I replied, trying to match his confidence. "But let's get one thing straight—we're partners in this. Equal footing."

He arched an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Is that your way of telling me not to boss you around?"

"More like a friendly reminder," I said, crossing my arms. "I don't take orders well, in case you hadn't noticed."

"Oh, I've noticed," Alessandro replied, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. "And I wouldn't want it any other way."

There was a charged silence between us, the air thick with something unspoken. I could feel my heart beating faster, my pulse quickening in a way that had nothing to do with the coffee. This was dangerous territory, and I knew it. But for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to look away.

"Well," I said, breaking the tension with a smirk. "As long as we're clear."

"Crystal," Alessandro said, his eyes lingering on mine for a moment longer before he turned his attention back to the papers strewn across the coffee table. "Let's get to work."

Alessandro's POV

The morning wore on, the sun climbing higher in the sky as we pored over the documents. Isabella was sharp—sharper than most people I'd worked with—and she had a way of seeing connections that others might miss. It was impressive, though I'd never admit that to her.

"You know," Isabella said after a while, her tone light, "I'm starting to think you might actually be useful."

I raised an eyebrow, glancing up at her. "Only starting to think that? I'm wounded, Rossi."