Chapter 6: Ashes Of Gold

Matteo had always known how to read a room.

He had been trained to. Raised in a world where a single misplaced word could mean the difference between power and death, where silence often held more weight than spoken threats.

And right now, in the dim glow of the study, he was reading everything.

Sienna—her spine rigid, her hands curled into fists she probably didn't realize were trembling. Lorenzo—unshaken, watching like a god surveying his kingdom. And the man who had just entered—Dominic Caruso, a name whispered with as much respect as it was fear.

Matteo didn't move. His stance remained relaxed, calculated. But inside, he was assessing, anticipating.

Dominic's gaze flickered to him, then back to Sienna. His expression gave nothing away, but Matteo knew better. Dominic never entered a room without purpose. And if he was here now, in this moment, then that purpose was Sienna.

Matteo didn't like that—At all.

"You're early," Lorenzo said, his tone neither welcoming nor dismissive. A mere observation.

Dominic smirked. "Forgive me for being eager."

Sienna stiffened beside Matteo. He felt it—the quiet shift of her breath, the way her shoulders tensed as she looked at Dominic like he was another enemy she'd have to face.

Matteo almost admired her for that. She didn't shrink.

She wouldn't.

"This is her, then?" Dominic asked, tilting his head slightly as he studied her. "She's... smaller than I expected."

Matteo's jaw tightened at the remark.

Sienna lifted her chin. "And you are?"

A hint of amusement flickered in Dominic's dark eyes. "You don't know me?"

"No." Her voice was steady, but Matteo could hear the thread of tension beneath it.

Dominic exhaled, shaking his head. "That's a shame. Your father and I go way back."

Sienna went still.

Matteo watched as the weight of that statement settled on her. He knew she was still unraveling the truth—about her father, about this marriage, about the world she had unknowingly belonged to all along.

And now, Dominic was another piece in that puzzle.

Matteo leaned back against the desk, arms folding across his chest. "Why are you here, Dominic?"

Dominic smiled, but it wasn't friendly. "I'm here to ensure that our investment is protected."

Sienna frowned. "Investment?"

Lorenzo finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. "Your union with Matteo is more than a marriage, Sienna. It's an alliance. And alliances must be enforced."

Something flashed in her eyes. "Enforced," she repeated, voice quieter this time.

Dominic took a step forward, and Matteo instinctively shifted, placing himself just slightly between them.

It was a small movement. Subtle. But Dominic noticed.

His smirk deepened.

Interesting.

"You see," Dominic continued, addressing Sienna, "there are... complications when power changes hands. Not everyone approves of this arrangement."

Matteo knew what he was doing.

Dominic was testing her. Prodding at her defenses, seeing if she'd break, if she'd cower.

She didn't.

Instead, she squared her shoulders. "And let me guess," she said, "you're here to make sure I don't run?"

Dominic let out a low chuckle. "Oh no, sweetheart." He leaned in slightly, voice dropping to something almost mocking. "I'm here to make sure you don't die."

Silence.

Sienna blinked, but Matteo saw it—the slight falter in her breath.

Matteo's fingers twitched at his sides. His patience was wearing thin.

"Enough," he said, his voice cutting through the tension.

Dominic glanced at him, eyes glinting. "Touched a nerve?"

"You know where I stand." Matteo's tone remained even, but there was no mistaking the warning beneath it.

Dominic studied him for a beat longer before stepping back. "Of course."

Matteo turned to Sienna. Her face was unreadable, but he knew better.

She was unraveling everything in her mind, trying to piece it all together. Trying to understand a world that had been decided for her long before she even knew it existed.

He didn't blame her.

But he also knew that understanding wouldn't change anything.

Because she was right about one thing—she was an investment. And investments had to be protected.

Even from themselves.

Even from him.

Lorenzo exhaled, breaking the silence. "It's late. Dominic, we'll discuss the rest tomorrow."

Dominic didn't argue. He simply gave Sienna one last look before nodding. "I'll see you soon, cara mia."

Matteo watched as Dominic left, his presence lingering like a shadow even after he was gone.

Sienna turned to Lorenzo, her jaw tight. "What happens now?"

Lorenzo's lips curved, but it wasn't quite a smile. "Now, you learn the rules."

Sienna didn't react right away. She simply stood there, silent, unreadable.

Then, finally, she nodded.

Matteo wasn't sure if that meant acceptance. But he knew one thing for certain.

She wouldn't go down quietly.

Lorenzo studied her for a moment before shifting his gaze to Matteo. "We have a lot to discuss."

Matteo exhaled, his patience thinning. "It's late. This can wait until morning."

Lorenzo tilted his head slightly, amused. "You're dismissing me now?"

Matteo didn't rise to the bait. "I'm saying she needs sleep." His voice was even, firm. "She's had enough for one night."

Sienna glanced at Matteo, surprised by the quiet protectiveness in his tone.

Lorenzo's gaze flicked between them before he let out a low chuckle. "You're already playing the role of the devoted husband."

Matteo's expression didn't change. "She's my wife. And she needs rest."

Lorenzo held his stare for a moment, then gave a slow nod, as if humoring him. "Fine. Go." He looked at Sienna. "Get some sleep, ragazza. Tomorrow, we start for real."

Sienna didn't respond. She simply turned and walked toward the door.

Matteo followed, his presence steady beside her.

Just as they reached the doorway, Lorenzo's voice came again, low and certain.

"Don't get too comfortable."

Matteo didn't look back. "I never do."

And with that, he led Sienna away, leaving Lorenzo in the dimly lit room, watching them go.