CHAPTER 1: THE MEETING

"His darkness is her curse, her fire is

his obsession-together, they are bound

to destroy or be destroyed."

Chapter 1: The Meeting

The city of Milan was a jewel in the Italian crown, a place where wealth, power, and influence collided in a heady mix of opulence and danger. By day, it was a bustling metropolis filled with fashion, art, and culture. But by night, it transformed into a playground for the elite—a world where the rules of society held no sway, and where the true power players emerged from the shadows.

Emilia Moretti didn't belong in this world. She was acutely aware of that as she stood in the grand ballroom of one of Milan's most exclusive hotels, the ornate chandeliers casting a golden glow over the crowd of socialites, politicians, and businessmen. Dressed in a sleek black gown that hugged her curves and revealed just enough skin to be provocative, Emilia felt every bit the outsider, even as she moved gracefully through the room.

She had learned long ago how to navigate these circles. After all, she had been forced to grow up fast after her parents' death, taking on responsibilities that would have broken others. But she had survived, and now she was here, doing whatever it took to ensure her younger brother, Luca, had a future. Even if that meant rubbing elbows with the kind of people who would just as easily destroy her as help her.

Her gaze flickered around the room, searching for her target. She was here on business, as much as it sickened her to admit. One of the guests tonight had information that could make or break the deal she was working on—something that could pull Luca out of the mess they were in once and for all. And she was determined to get it, no matter the cost.

But as her eyes scanned the room, they locked onto a figure that made her breath catch in her throat.

Alessandro De Rossi.

He stood near the far end of the ballroom, surrounded by a group of men who were clearly deferring to him. Tall, broad-shouldered, and impeccably dressed in a tailored black suit that accentuated his powerful build, Alessandro exuded an aura of authority that was impossible to ignore. His dark hair was slicked back, his sharp jawline set in a way that gave him a dangerously handsome appearance. But it was his eyes—cold, calculating, and utterly devoid of mercy—that sent a shiver down Emilia's spine.

She had heard the stories, of course. Everyone in Milan had. Alessandro De Rossi was the head of the De Rossi mafia family, a man whose name was synonymous with power and fear. He was known to be ruthless, merciless, and utterly unstoppable. And yet, here he was, looking every bit the polished gentleman as he conversed with Italy's elite.

Emilia's heart raced as she watched him. She knew she should look away, should focus on her own mission for the night. But there was something about him that held her attention, something that made it impossible to tear her gaze away. He was like a predator, perfectly at ease in his surroundings, but always ready to strike.

She quickly averted her eyes when his gaze began to sweep across the room, not wanting to be caught staring. But it was too late. She could feel the weight of his gaze settling on her, like a dark cloud looming over her head. Her breath hitched as she risked a glance back, only to find his eyes locked on hers.

For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away. The crowd, the music, the opulence of the ballroom—all of it dissolved as she stood frozen under Alessandro's piercing gaze. There was no mistaking the intensity in his eyes, a silent message that sent a jolt of fear through her. He knew who she was—of that, she was certain. And in that moment, she knew that her night had just taken a turn she hadn't anticipated.

Alessandro's lips curled into a faint smirk, a gesture that held no warmth or humor. It was a predator's smile, one that promised nothing but danger. Emilia's pulse quickened, her mind racing as she tried to figure out what to do. She had never crossed paths with Alessandro before tonight, but the stories she had heard were enough to tell her that any interaction with him would be a dance with the devil.

Before she could make a decision, Alessandro began to move. His stride was confident, almost leisurely, as if he had all the time in the world. Emilia's heart pounded in her chest as she watched him approach, every instinct screaming at her to run. But she stood her ground, unwilling to show fear, even as her nerves frayed at the edges.

When he finally reached her, Alessandro stopped just a few feet away, his presence overwhelming. Up close, he was even more imposing, the sharp lines of his face highlighting the darkness in his eyes.

"Signorina Moretti," he said, his voice smooth as silk but carrying an undercurrent of danger that sent a chill down her spine. "I wasn't expecting to see you here tonight."

Emilia forced herself to meet his gaze, even though it felt like staring into the eyes of a wolf. "Signore De Rossi," she replied, keeping her voice steady. "I could say the same about you."

Alessandro's smirk deepened, as if her response had amused him. "You're far from home, aren't you? Or have you decided to join the ranks of the elite?"

Her eyes narrowed, her sharp tongue taking over before she could stop herself. "I go where I need to, and tonight, this is where I need to be."

His expression didn't change, but she could sense the tension in the air thickening. He leaned in slightly, his voice lowering to a whisper that was meant only for her. "Careful, Emilia. This isn't your world. You're playing a dangerous game."

A spark of defiance flared in her chest, pushing back against the fear. "I'm not afraid of you, Alessandro."

A dangerous gleam flickered in his eyes, and his hand reached out to gently brush a stray lock of hair from her face. The gesture was oddly intimate, but it was the possessiveness in his touch that sent a shiver through her. "You should be," he murmured, his voice a low growl that seemed to reverberate through her bones.

Emilia's breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding as she tried to make sense of the emotions coursing through her. There was fear, yes, but there was also something else—something darker, something that called to the part of her she tried to keep buried. A part of her that wanted to know more about the man behind the cold, ruthless exterior.

But before she could dwell on it further, Alessandro stepped back, the momentary connection severed. "Enjoy your evening, Emilia," he said, his tone returning to its smooth, controlled cadence. "But remember—this is my world. And in my world, nothing happens without my say."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing in the middle of the ballroom, her mind spinning with what had just transpired. The room seemed to close in around her, the weight of Alessandro's warning pressing down on her chest.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to regain her composure. She had a job to do, and she couldn't afford to be distracted—not by Alessandro De Rossi, and certainly not by the unsettling emotions he stirred within her.

But even as she resumed her search for her target, Emilia couldn't shake the feeling that she had just crossed a line she couldn't uncross. Her encounter with Alessandro had left a mark, one that she knew would linger long after this night was over.

And as she navigated the treacherous waters of Milan's elite, she couldn't help but wonder—had she just made an enemy of the most dangerous man in Italy? Or had she unwittingly set the stage for something far more dangerous than she could have ever imagined?