Veil of Vengeance

Chapter 16: Jealousy???

Chapter 16: Crossing Lines

Isabella's POV

The day after that chaotic night, where Alessandro Moretti had shown up like some dark knight in the middle of my drunken escapade, felt surreal. The memory of how he'd dealt with those men, his brutal efficiency, and then his unexpected tenderness when he dropped me off at my apartment—it was all too much. I hadn't expected Alessandro to care, much less protect me so fiercely.

As I sat in my office, trying to focus on the paperwork in front of me, my mind kept drifting back to the look in his eyes that night. There was something more there, something he was hiding beneath that cold, ruthless exterior. It was confusing, and I wasn't sure how to feel about it.

A knock on my door pulled me out of my thoughts. Before I could respond, the door burst open, and in strolled my best friend, Antonio De Luca, with his usual charming smile.

"Morning, sunshine," Antonio said, plopping down in the chair opposite my desk. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

I sighed, leaning back in my chair. "It's been a rough couple of days."

Antonio raised an eyebrow. "Rough? That's an understatement. Care to share what's going on? Or is this one of those 'I'll figure it out myself' situations?"

I couldn't help but smile at his teasing tone. "More like the latter. But thanks for the offer."

He leaned in, his expression turning serious. "You know I'm here for you, right? Whatever it is, you don't have to handle it alone."

"I know," I said softly, grateful for his support. "It's just...complicated."

Antonio's eyes narrowed slightly, his protective instincts kicking in. "Is this about that Moretti guy? Because if he's causing you trouble—"

"No, it's not that simple," I interrupted, not wanting to get into the details. "He's...helping me with something. But it's a delicate situation."

"Helping you?" Antonio's skepticism was evident. "That doesn't sound like him."

"I know, but believe it or not, he's actually been...different lately." I wasn't sure how to explain it without sounding like I was defending Alessandro.

Antonio studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Just be careful, Bella. I don't trust him."

"Neither do I," I admitted. "But I need him right now. And he needs me."

Antonio sighed, clearly not convinced. "Just promise me you'll watch your back. I don't want to see you get hurt."

"I promise," I said, giving him a reassuring smile. "And thanks for looking out for me."

He grinned, the tension easing. "That's what best friends are for. Now, how about we grab lunch later? My treat."

"Sounds good," I replied, glad for the distraction.

As Antonio left, I couldn't help but think about the contrast between him and Alessandro. Antonio was open, kind, and protective—everything Alessandro wasn't. And yet, there was something about Alessandro that drew me in, something I couldn't quite explain.

Alessandro's POV

The night before had been a mess—a chaotic, violent, and oddly satisfying mess. When I found Isabella at that bar, surrounded by those scumbags, something snapped in me. I wasn't about to let anyone hurt her, not on my watch. The way she looked at me afterward, confused and vulnerable, it stirred something deep within me—something I wasn't ready to face.