Veil of Vengeance

CH 23: Stolen Moments

Isabelle's POV

The air in Alessandro's office was thick with tension after that unexpected kiss. My heart pounded in my chest, and I couldn't quite believe what had just happened. The man who had been my enemy, who had kept me at arm's length with his cold demeanor and ruthless actions, had just kissed me like it was the most natural thing in the world.

But there was nothing natural about it—nothing simple or straightforward. My mind raced, trying to make sense of the emotions swirling inside me. This kiss wasn't part of the plan; it wasn't supposed to happen.

"Isabella," Alessandro's voice was a low rumble, pulling me from my thoughts. He was still close, his breath warm against my skin. His eyes searched mine, a mixture of confusion and something else—something that made my stomach flip.

"What just happened?" I managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He hesitated, as if he was struggling to find the right words. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice rough with emotion. "But I couldn't stop myself. I've tried to keep my distance, to keep this professional, but..."

"But?" I prompted, needing to hear him say it.

"But every time I'm near you, it gets harder," he confessed, his eyes darkening with an intensity that made my heart race even faster. "There's something between us, Isabella. Something I can't ignore, no matter how much I try."

I swallowed hard, my mind spinning. This was Alessandro—the man who had always been so controlled, so distant. And now he was standing here, confessing that he felt something for me, something he couldn't explain or ignore.

"This isn't supposed to happen," I said, more to myself than to him. "We're on opposite sides, Alessandro. This... this is dangerous."

"Everything about us is dangerous," he replied, his voice low and intense. "But that doesn't change how I feel."

His words hung in the air between us, heavy with meaning. I didn't know what to say—didn't know how to process the emotions swirling inside me. I had spent so long hating Alessandro, blaming him for the pain and loss I had suffered. And now, standing here with him, I felt something I never expected—something that terrified me as much as it intrigued me.

"I don't know what to do with this," I admitted, my voice trembling.

Alessandro took a step closer, his gaze never leaving mine. "You don't have to do anything right now," he said softly. "Just know that I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

His words sent a shiver down my spine. This was a side of Alessandro I had never seen before—a side that was vulnerable, open, and honest. It made me want to trust him, to let my guard down, but I couldn't forget the world we were living in. The world where trust was a luxury we couldn't afford.

"I need time," I said, taking a step back to put some distance between us. "I need to figure out what all of this means."

Alessandro nodded, his expression unreadable. "Take all the time you need. But remember, Isabella... no matter what happens, I'm on your side."

His words struck a chord deep within me, and I found myself nodding, even though I wasn't sure what I was agreeing to. "I should go," I said finally, needing to escape the intensity of the moment.

He didn't stop me. He just watched as I turned and walked out of his office, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. The kiss, the confession, the feelings that had been simmering under the surface—all of it was too much to process at once.

As I stepped out into the cool night air, I took a deep breath, trying to clear my head. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the feeling that everything had just changed. Alessandro's kiss had stirred something inside me, something I wasn't sure I was ready to face.