~ Chapter 10 ~

The days that followed felt like stolen moments of calm, though the air was thick with unspoken tension.

Seraphina and Leo navigated a fragile truce, neither daring to fully acknowledge the kiss they had shared in the garden.

Yet, it lingered between them like a secret promise, a connection neither of them could deny.

Leo threw himself into preparations for the inevitable confrontation with the Valentis, his focus razor-sharp.

Seraphina, though relegated to the safety of the villa, refused to sit idly by.

She began to explore the depths of her own courage, determined to prove she wasn't just a fragile doll to be protected.

But even in her newfound resolve, she couldn't ignore the ache in her chest whenever she saw Leo.

The way his gaze softened when he looked at her, the tension in his shoulders when he thought she wasn't watching—he was a man torn between duty and desire, and it was slowly unraveling him.

"Teach me."

Leo looked up from the array of blueprints and surveillance footage spread across the dining table.

His brow furrowed as he met Seraphina's determined gaze.

"Teach you what?" he asked cautiously.

"How to defend myself," she said, her tone firm. "How to fight. How to survive."

His lips pressed into a thin line. "No."

"Why not?"

"Because this isn't your fight, Seraphina," he said, standing and crossing the room to face her. "I'm here to protect you. That's all you need."

Her eyes blazed with defiance. "And what happens if you can't? What happens if I'm alone and someone comes for me? I can't just rely on you forever, Leo."

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, he said nothing. Then, with a resigned sigh, he nodded. "Fine. But if we're doing this, you do exactly what I say. No questions, no arguments."

She nodded, her determination unwavering.

The training began the next morning in the villa's expansive courtyard.

Matteo watched with a mixture of amusement and disbelief as Leo took Seraphina through the basics.

"She's got spirit," Matteo commented, leaning against the stone wall as he observed.

"She's stubborn," Leo muttered, though there was a hint of admiration in his voice.

Seraphina, for her part, threw herself into the training with unrelenting focus.

She stumbled, fell, and bruised her knees, but she never complained. Each failure only fueled her resolve, and by the end of the week, she could throw a punch that made Matteo wince in sympathy.

Amidst the preparations for war, an invitation arrived—a gilded card bearing the insignia of the Valentis.

"A masquerade ball," Matteo said, reading the card aloud. "Hosted by Vittorio himself. The arrogance."

"It's a trap," Leo said immediately, his tone flat.

"Of course it is," Matteo agreed. "But it's also an opportunity. They wouldn't send this if they didn't want to show off. We could gather intel, maybe even plant some of our own surprises."

Leo's gaze shifted to Seraphina, who was watching the exchange with quiet curiosity.

"You're not going," he said firmly.

"I didn't say I wanted to," she replied, though her tone suggested otherwise.

"It's too dangerous," he continued, ignoring her. "This isn't a game. Vittorio will be watching for any sign of weakness."

"Then don't give him one," she said, stepping closer. "You said it yourself—this is an opportunity. If you're going, let me help."

Leo hesitated, the conflict in his eyes clear. Finally, he sighed. "Fine. But you stay by my side the entire time. No wandering off. No taking risks."

She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips.

The night of the ball arrived, and the villa buzzed with tension.

Seraphina stood in her room, staring at her reflection in the mirror.

The dress Leo had chosen for her—a deep emerald green that hugged her figure and flared out at the waist—was breathtaking, and the delicate mask she held in her hands shimmered with silver filigree.

A knock at the door drew her attention.

When she opened it, Leo stood there, dressed in a sharp black suit and a sleek mask that only heightened his already commanding presence.

"You look…" He paused, his eyes raking over her. "Incredible."

Her cheeks flushed, and she ducked her head. "Thank you."

He offered his arm, and she took it, her heart pounding as they descended the grand staircase together.

The ball was a spectacle of opulence, the grand hall glittering with chandeliers and adorned with rich crimson drapes.

Masked figures danced to the haunting strains of a string quartet, their laughter mingling with the clink of crystal glasses.

Leo's grip on Seraphina's arm tightened as they entered, his gaze scanning the crowd for threats.

"Remember," he murmured, his lips close to her ear, "stay with me."

She nodded, though her eyes were already drawn to the magnificence of the room.

It was a world she had only read about in fairy tales, and for a moment, she allowed herself to get lost in it.

But the illusion shattered when Vittorio Valenti appeared, his presence commanding attention.

His sharp eyes immediately found Leo and a slow smile spread across his face.

"Well, well," Vittorio said, his voice dripping with mockery. "The Devil graces us with his presence. And who is this lovely creature by your side?"

Leo's arm tightened protectively around Seraphina. "She's none of your concern."

Vittorio's gaze lingered on her, his smile widening. "Oh, but she is. A beauty like that? I'd say she's everyone's concern."

Seraphina felt a chill run down her spine, but she lifted her chin, refusing to show fear.

"She's mine," Leo said, his voice deadly.

The declaration hung in the air, and for a moment, it seemed as though the entire room was holding its breath.

Then Vittorio laughed, a low, cruel sound that sent shivers through the crowd.

"Enjoy the evening, Leo," he said, his tone laced with menace. "While it lasts."

And with that, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving Seraphina and Leo standing at the edge of the dance floor, the weight of his threat pressing down on them.

"This isn't over," Leo said quietly, his jaw tight.

"It never is," Seraphina replied, her voice steady.

But even as danger loomed, there was an undeniable thrill in the air—a sense that they were on the edge of something both terrifying and exhilarating.

To Be Continued...