Volgaria's Storm

The air in Volgaria was crisp, the chill of the late evening sinking into Alessandra's skin as she stepped off the private jet. The moment her heels touched the ground, she felt it—the weight of anticipation, of change.

She was here.

And she was not alone.

Matteo was beside her, clad in a tailored black coat, his hands shoved into his pockets as they descended the stairs. The icy wind tousled his dark hair, but his sharp eyes remained unreadable beneath the mask he wore.

They both had masks—sleek, elegant, concealing their identities from the masses waiting beyond security. But even that wasn't enough to hide the tension between them.

The way he held her waist.

The way his thumb brushed over her hip in lazy possession.

The way she let him.

She had been seen with Luca before.

But this?

This was different.

Because Matteo Corsini wasn't pretending.

And neither was she.

The airport was a frenzy of flashing lights, fans screaming her name, cameras flashing as they stepped into the terminal. The security team did their best to hold back the crowds, but the sheer number of people made it impossible to move unnoticed.

"Alessandra!"

She could hear them calling, the swarm of bodies pressing closer, desperate to see the supermodel who had arrived in their city. The excitement was electric, pulsing through the air like a living thing.

But it wasn't just her they noticed.

It was him.

The tall, masked man who walked beside her, his grip on her unwavering, his presence impossible to ignore.

The whispers began almost instantly.

Who is he?

Is that Luca?

No, Luca Corsini has a different build—

Then who the hell is she with?!

Alessandra didn't flinch.

She let them wonder.

Let them see.

Matteo's fingers tightened slightly on her waist as he leaned in. "Enjoying yourself, dolcezza?"

She smirked beneath her mask. "More than I should."

Matteo's chuckle was dark. Low. "Careful, bella. If you let them see how much you want this, you'll never escape the rumors."

She turned her head slightly, her breath ghosting over his jaw. "Who said I want to escape?"

Matteo stilled.

And in that moment, something unspoken passed between them.

Then, without another word, he led her through the chaos, past the paparazzi, past the screaming fans—until they reached the waiting cars.

---

Bianca was already waiting outside with her managers, arms crossed, expression tight as Alessandra stepped out of the car.

"You were supposed to arrive with me," Bianca muttered under her breath, though her voice was drowned out by the shouts of security.

Alessandra simply raised a brow. "Change of plans."

Bianca's gaze flicked to Matteo, who was still standing beside Alessandra, his mask now removed, revealing the sharp angles of his face.

Something in Bianca's expression tightened.

Matteo was trouble.

And they all knew it.

Still, she didn't argue. Not here. Not now.

Instead, she turned to the managers, instructing them to take Alessandra's things inside while the hotel staff ensured privacy.

Matteo exhaled a quiet chuckle. "They don't like me very much, dolcezza."

Alessandra tilted her head, smirking. "You should be used to that by now."

He smirked back. "I am."

Then, just as she turned to head inside, Matteo caught her wrist.

She blinked up at him as he leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear.

"I'll see you tonight," he murmured.

A shiver ran through her.

And then he was gone.

---

Matteo had barely stepped into the luxurious estate before he was met with sharp, assessing eyes.

Viktor Castellano.

The man was exactly as Matteo remembered—dangerous, powerful, exuding an aura of control that most men could only dream of possessing.

Viktor leaned back in his chair, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand. "Volgaria, Matteo?" His voice was smooth, amused. "Didn't peg you for the type to mix business with pleasure."

Matteo smirked. "Maybe I've changed."

Viktor arched a brow. "Or maybe you're losing control."

Matteo's jaw ticked, but he said nothing.

Because there was no use lying to a man like Viktor Castellano.

He saw everything.

Still, Matteo had a purpose here.

And he wasn't leaving until he got what he came for.

---

The media had already been losing their minds over Alessandra's arrival with a mystery man.

But the real explosion?

It came hours later.

When Luca Corsini arrived in Volgaria.

Alone.

The airport was a madhouse. Reporters swarmed like vultures, cameras flashing as Luca walked through customs, his expression unreadable. He didn't stop to speak to anyone. Didn't acknowledge the chaos.

He didn't have to.

Because the headlines were already writing themselves.

BBC NEWS: LUCA CORSINI ARRIVES IN VOLGARIA—AFTER HIS FIANCÉE IS SEEN WITH ANOTHER MAN?

ENTERTAINMENT DAILY: WHO IS ALESSANDRA RICCI'S MYSTERY LOVER? LOVE TRIANGLE BETWEEN THE CORSINI BROTHERS?

SOCIAL MEDIA EXPLODES: #ALESSANDRA #LUCA #MATTEO TREND WORLDWIDE

The world was watching.

And Volgaria had just become the center of a storm.

A Corsini war was coming.

And Alessandra Ricci?

She was right in the middle of it.

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