Page 25 of Silent Night With Alessio

And for what? To make a quick deal? To turn a profit at the expense of everyone’s lives? Fury simmers within me, threatening to boil over.

How dare he? How dare he risk my life…Alessio’s life, that jeweler’s life . Just to cover his own tracks?

As I pace, my fists clenched, I hear footsteps behind me. I turn to see Elena and Fiamma walking toward me, each with a curious expression.

“Hey,” Fiamma says, tilting her head, a playful gin planted on her face. “How did it go with Alessio at the market?”

I sigh, trying to gather my scattered thoughts. “It was… nice,” I say, though the word feels inadequate. “We talked. He apologized for being cold to me. But he doesn’t want to get too close. He thinks it would put me in danger.”

Fiamma nods, her expression softening with a hint of understanding. “Makes sense. The life we live isn’t ballet, you know. But if you ask me, I think you can handle it.”

There’s a calm, audacious confidence in her tone, an effortless swagger woven into every word.

“"I mean… the strangling didn’t even make you shit yourself. That’s better than most people I know.” She grins, a playful glint in her eyes, her words laced with a teasing edge. “You’ll be fine.”

Elena places a gentle hand on my arm, casting a playful, almost motherly look at Fiamma…a look that feels like a lighthearted scolding, making Fiamma chuckle. Then Elena’s gaze shifts back to me, her expression softening.

“He just needs time. Alessio… he’s not the type to let people in easily.”

I nod, a bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of my lips. I’ve gathered that much. Alessio isn’t one to open up, and I can only hope he’ll make an exception for me.

Elena seems on the verge of saying more, but before the words leave her mouth, Nico bursts into the hallway. His face is pale, his eyes wide and brimming with urgency. “Guys… I’ve got bad news. The Ice Box club just announced that the Luciana signet ring is up for auction.”

Fiamma’s jaw drops. “What? The ring?”

Nico nods, his eyes darting between us. “Yes. They’re hosting an auction, and they’ve put the ring up as one item. If a rival family buys it, we’re gonna look like fucking clowns. It would be the ultimate humiliation. And with the way the word’s spreading, everyone is going to want to get their hands on it just to watch us squirm.”

A chill runs down my spine as I absorb the gravity of what he’s saying. The ring, that precious symbol of the Luciana legacy, out in the open for anyone to buy, to mock?

Nico continues, his voice tight. “The problem is, if we send one of our own, it’ll confirm to everyone that the ring was stolen. Which would be even worse if we let it fall into our enemies’ hands…”

He doesn’t need to finish the sentence. We all understand. The Luciana reputation would be ruined, the family’s legacy tainted forever.

Massimo’s door is just down the hall, and Nico turns toward it, his face set with determination. “We need to tell him,” he says, striding toward the office.

I hesitate, nerves prickling under my skin. But before I can decide, Elena nudges me forward. “Come on,” she says, her tone gentle but firm. “You’re part of this now, Isabella.”

I swallow hard, following them into the room.

Massimo’s office is dark, the only light coming from the dim light stand near his desk and the thin line of smoke curling from his cigar. He’s seated behind his desk, his presence as commanding as always, his eyes shadowed but sharp.

When we step inside, he looks up, his gaze fixing on each of us. The quiet authority in his stare sends a chill through me, a reminder of the power he holds, and the danger that comes with it.

Nico steps forward, his voice steady but urgent. “Boss, there’s a problem. The Luciana ring…it’s being auctioned at the Ice Box. If we don’t do something, one of our rivals could buy it and disgrace our family.”

Massimo’s expression darkens, his jaw tightening as he considers the news. An uneasy silence hangs heavy in the air. We all wait with bated breath for his next words.

Finally, he does. “If we send a family member to the auction, it will confirm for everyone that the ring was stolen.That can’t happen. We’ll look weak, compromised.”

Elena glances at me, her gaze thoughtful. “But what if… someone outside the family attended?”

Massimo raises an eyebrow, waiting for her to elaborate.

“Someone who isn’t a Luciana,” Elena continues, her eyes darting to me, her expression intense. “Someone who’s… unknown to our rivals.”

I take a second. In fact, my mind darts around wondering who they might summon, but as I look at her, and all of them, a chill crawls up my spine when I see them all glaring at me.

Dio Mio, she’s talking about me!I blink, my stomach twisting with apprehension. “You… you mean me?”

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