Chapter 4

As the days went by, Alessia found herself falling deeper and deeper in love with Marco. They would meet in secret, stolen moments whenever they could.

But despite the passion and the love that they shared, Alessia couldn't shake off the feeling that Marco was hiding something from her. She would see the shadows in his eyes, the secrets that he kept hidden.

One night, as they sat together on a rooftop overlooking the city, Alessia decided to confront Marco. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "What are you hiding from me?"

Marco's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, Alessia thought she saw a glimmer of fear in their depths. "I'm protecting you," he said. "I'm keeping you safe."

Alessia's heart skipped a beat. "From what?" she asked.

Marco's eyes seemed to cloud over, and for a moment, Alessia thought she saw a glimmer of sadness in their depths. "From my family," he said. "They won't approve of us being together."

Alessia's eyes widened in shock. "Why not?" she asked.

Marco's voice was barely above a whisper. "Because you're not one of us," he said. "You're not part of the Mafia."

Alessia felt a chill run down her spine. She had suspected that Marco's family was involved in some shady dealings, but she had never suspected that they were part of the Mafia.

As she looked into Marco's eyes, Alessia knew that she had to make a choice. She could walk away from Marco, from the danger and the secrets that he kept.

Or she could stay with him, and face whatever dangers lay ahead.

Alessia's mind was reeling as she tried to process the information. Marco's family was part of the Mafia, and they wouldn't approve of her being with him.

As she looked into Marco's eyes, Alessia saw the sincerity there. He was telling the truth, and he was scared.

"What does this mean for us?" Alessia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Marco's eyes locked onto hers. "It means we have to be careful," he said. "We can't let my family find out about us."

Alessia nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over her. She was willing to take the risk, to be with Marco no matter what.

But as they sat there on the rooftop, Alessia couldn't shake off the feeling that they were being watched. She looked around, but saw nothing.

It wasn't until they were walking home, hand in hand, that Alessia saw him. A tall, imposing figure standing in the shadows, watching them.

Alessia's heart skipped a beat as she realized who it was. Marco's brother, Luca.

Luca's eyes were cold and hard as he looked at Alessia. She could see the dislike in his eyes, the disdain.

"Marco, we need to talk," Luca said, his voice low and menacing.

Marco's eyes locked onto Alessia's, and she could see the warning there. He was telling her to be careful, to stay back.

But Alessia was not one to back down. She stood tall, her eyes locked onto Luca's.

"What do you want, Luca?" Marco asked, his voice firm.

Luca sneered at Alessia. "I want you to stay away from her," he said. "She's not one of us."

Marco's eyes flashed with anger, and for a moment, Alessia thought he was going to hit Luca.

But then, he seemed to calm down, his eyes never leaving Luca's face. "I'll do what I want, Luca," he said. "And if that means being with Alessia, then so be it."

Luca's face turned red with rage, and for a moment, Alessia thought he was going to attack Marco.

But then, he seemed to calm down, his eyes never leaving Alessia's face. "You're making a big mistake, Marco," he said. "And you're going to regret it."

And with that, Luca turned and walked away, leaving Alessia and Marco standing there, looking at each other.

Alessia's heart was racing as she looked at Marco. She could see the fear in his eyes, the uncertainty.

But she also saw something else. Something that gave her hope.

Ur reactions determines if I will send the next chapter