AVELINA'S POV.

The Rossi mansion is never quiet, yet is looks and feels dead inside.

The morning after the dinner, staff moves around with their head bowed and their eyes fixed on the floor without daring to look at me.

The sounds of footsteps reminds me of my home. A home that I was stripped away from after my father's death.

I walk towards the window. The sun rises over Florence. The city was alive. I kept thinking of my father and his words telling me not to trust anybody that is not family.

A knock on the door brought me out of my thoughts. It is the same maid, with her gentle and nervous nature.

"The Don left for the city today, and he wants you to know he won't be back till evening." She says not daring to look at me.

"That is nice, I can finally breathe fresh air." I say in excitement.

"Can i go into every room in this house"? I asked with my eyes lighting up.

"You can't go into all the rooms in the mansion" She says after much hesitation.

I smiled at her faintly. "But that is exactly where I want to go into".

From the look on the maid's face I could tell she was terrified but she doesn't dare to question or stop me. After she leaves the room I slipped my shoes on and step into the hall.

___________________________________________________________________________

From the inside you could tell the mansion was bigger than it was outside. I walk past picture frames of past Rossi men hung up on the wall. I finally stumped upon a picture different from the rest. It was signed at the bottom ENZO ROSSI.

Allessandro's older brother.

My father was killed because he died. And he is the reason i am married to a monster.

I cleaned the dust off the frame with my dress. He had same eyes as Allessandro and i guess he is as tall too. But his smile seems softer.

I thought to myself: Did my father actually kill him? or that is what Allessandro wants me to believe.

Before i could think further, i heard voices from the other room.

"Are these the shipment we were expecting from Germany.?" A voice asked.

"Yes it is." Another replies.

"Take them to the basement. I will come handle it shortly." It was Emilio this time. Allessandro's right hand man.

I quickly close the door behind me and duck under the table. It was the Rossi's study. The shelf is covered with dust and i doubt if anybody has been in here in years.

Curiosity takes the best of me as i start to open the drawers and go through contents. It was filled with files and each of those files was labelled with numbers and names. A letter drops from out of one of the files i held. I pick it up to read the content.

The letter was handwritten by Enzo Rossi to my father. But i guess it was never delivered.

Don Marco,

We all know there would be no peace under one side surrenders. But when this war is over please promise me you will keep her out of our mess.

-E.R.

I felt a sharp pain in my chest.

Why was Enzo writing to my father? Were they friends? Who was the "her"?

Before i could complete my thoughts, the door flings open and Allessandro stands at the doorway.

For a moment neither of us moves. His eyes turns to the opened drawers and then to the letter in my hand.

"I see you have made yourself comfortable."

"You had left the door open" I quickly say.

"Not for you to snoop through."

He slowly steps inside and close the door behind him. He was calm but i could tell his calmness was worse than anger.

"Can you tell me what it is you were looking for, Avelina.?

"I need answers because you are clearly hiding something from me." I responded.

"You shouldn't be in here." He says walking towards me.

"I know. But if you wanted an obedient wife then i am the wrong woman for you."

"I can see that now." He said.

He stretches his hands towards mine and takes back the letter. His fingers brushes mine. I could feel a spark that sent shivers down my spine.

"Where did you get this letter from.?" He demands staring into my soul.

"It fell out of one of the files from the drawer," I shoot back at him. "You didn't know you had to destroy everything that had to do with my father before marrying his daughter?"

He clenches his jaw. "You act like you know everything."

"I know enough to know you killed my father. And i also know my father didn't kill your brother, did he?"

He doesn't look at me.

The silence could be felt in the mansion.

My voice breaks. "Then who did it? Why was my father framed?" I asked demanding answers.

He looks up, staring into my eyes.

"Go to your room right now." He says backing orders at me.

"I wouldn't until you give me answers."

He walks slowly across the desk until he stands in front of me. "Disobedience will lead you to dangerous parts, Avelina."

"The day you took my father i stopped caring."

For a moment he doesn't say anything. "You should be careful and think things through."

He says leaving the room whilst slamming the door behind him.

___________________________________________________________________________

By nighttime i find it difficult to sleep.

The words on the letter still rings in my head.

We all know there would be no peace under one side surrenders. But when this war is over please promise me you will keep her out of our mess.

Who was he referring to?

I stand up and turn on the light.

I step out of the room, the guards bow without looking at my face. The mansion feels stuffy like someone was watching me.

I head downstairs where the maid lead me to a room and hands me a tray. "The Don ask i serve you dinner here today."

I thank her, still lost in thought. "Does the Don ever talk about his brother?" I asked.

She freezes in her place. " We do not speak of him."

"Why not.?" Now inquisitive.

"Because we do not want to remember." She says as she walks away.

_______________________________________________________________________

By afternoon the rain starts. The sky turns grey as thunder cracks over the city. I walk towards the hall, going over every portrait until i reach Enzo's.

Something felt different this time. There was a hidden compartment. I pulled the panel open and there was a faded photograph. Two boys and a girl standing side by side – Enzo, Allessandro and me. I could barely catch my breath.

I can barely remember this say but i should have been like four or five.

Enzo.

He was there and his hand is over my shoulder.

If they had known me then... they weren't my father's enemies after all.

The door creaks open and there he was standing. Allessandro.

His voice low. "You are making this a habit. Going into places you are not supposed to be seen in."

I turn to face him. "Why didn't you tell me you knew my father.? Your brother did too and also wrote him a later."

He slowly exhales. "You shouldn't have found out about this."

"But I found out."

"Avelina." He calls my name. "You wouldn't understand."

"Then you have to make me understand." I said staring at him.

"Searching for the truth wouldn't save you."

'I do not need your protection, Allessandro." I shoot back at him.

He walks towards me and takes my hand. "You are not ready for the truth Avelina. If you keep searching you will get hurt."

"Let go of my hand." I said pulling myself away from him.

"Not until you listen to me." He says still holding tight.

"I did not kill your father. But if you do not stop digging the people that kill him will come for you and this time they won't miss." He said finally letting go of me.

___________________________________________________________________________

Before laying on the bed at night, I hide the photo under my pillow.

The rain had stopped and the storm is calm but i wasn't as my inside begins to burn.

If Allessandro didn't kill my father then who did? Maybe another close rival.

For the first time since i came to the Rossi mansion i felt a sense of purpose – To look foor my father's killers.

I stand up from the bed and walk towards the window, watching the city of Florence glitter as the moon shines over it.

"I need to get to the bottom of this." I say in a whisper. "I need to know everything.

ALLESSANDRO'S POV

Rain falls heavily in Florence.

The mansion smells of gun powder. As i lay in my bed,Emilio's warning still rings in my head. I let myself ignore his warnings. To let her dig through wanting answers. To let her curiosity hurt her.

But i get on my feet instead with my jacket over my shoulders walking towards the path that leads to the study.

The study light is on. Every step i take leads me to her. When i reach the door it was slightly open. She must have left it that way.

Avelina stands at the other side of the table. A letter in hand as she was shocked to see me.

"I see you have made yourself comfortable". I said breaking the silence

"You had left the door open" She says defending herself quickly.

"Not for you to snoop through." I fired back at her.

I  slowly steps inside and close the door behind me.

"Can you tell me what it is you were looking for, Avelina.? I ask immediately.

"I need answers because you are clearly hiding something from me." She responded.

"You shouldn't be in here." I say walking towards her.

"I know. But if you wanted an obedient wife then i am the wrong woman for you."  She says shooting back at me.

"I can see that now."

I stretch my hands towards hers taking back the letter. My fingers brushing hers slowly.

"Where did you get this letter from.?" I asked because i have never seen it in the study before so it must have been hidden.  

"It fell out of one of the files from the drawer," She responds. "You didn't know you had to destroy everything that had to do with my father before marrying his daughter?" She says further.

"You act like you know everything." I say clenching my jaw.

"I know enough to know you killed my father. And i also know my father didn't kill your brother, did he?"  Her question hits me like a rock.

I turn my head towards the door avoiding her gaze. doesn't look at me.

I could hear her voice breaking. "Then who did it? Why was my father framed?" She asks further.  

I manage to look up and stare into her eyes.

"Go to your room right now." I say to her.

"I wouldn't until you give me answers." Avelina replies.

I walk towards her until the desk was between us. "Disobedience will lead you to dangerous parts, Avelina."

"The day you took my father i stopped caring." She says crying.

For a moment i do not say anything. "You should be careful and think things through."

I say leaving her in the study.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Afternoon, i found her going through the photos in the hall.

I walk towards her and calls her name.

She turns but does not hide the picture she was holding.

"You really have a problem doing what you're told" I say to her.

"And you also have a problem with honesty." She says firing back at me.

I step closer, slow, deliberate. "That depends on what truth you think you deserve."

"The truth you keep hiding from me." She says as her voice breaks. "From the letter you brother knew my father. And from this photo you knew him to. Who was your brother referring to Allessandro. Me?"

I could not bring myself to walk towards her even though i wanted to. Her skin smells of vanilla. "That letter wasn't yours to find." I say staring at her.  

"Yet i found it." So you owe me an explanation. She says lifting her chin

Ï do not owe you any explanations so stop asking." I say trying to control my anger.

"You owe me a lot Allessandro. You took my father's life and you owe me that." She says with teary eyes.

For a moment i almost explained everything to her. But i am scared for her safety. She is as stubborn as my brother described.

"I did not kill your father." I finally say.

"Then who ordered the hit on him?"

The room goes silent as the truth was now heavy to say.

"If you keep chasing the truth i am afraid you will be the next target and i would not be able to protect you." I tell her quietly.

"Then i will die knowing who did it." She says walking towards me. She doesn't back away. "Then at least I'll die knowing."

I take her hand trying to take the picture from her but she refuses to let go. Our fingers touch. I felt a spark and my anger suddenly vanishes. Before i could react she takes back her hand.  

"Please go back to your room, Avelina." I say in a low tone

 "No." She says staring into my eyes.

"You are really hard to deal with. And knowing when to listen is really not your thing." I say almost smiling.

"Well if you must know, i stopped listening to anything you say the night you didn't let me bury my father properly."

Her words sting. I want to walk away but she continues her enquires.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I should not be in same room with her.

Every time i am close to her i find it hard to control myself.

 She stands close to be studying the photo again and staring at me. "You are in the photo. With your brother and i." She says staring into my eyes as though searching for the truth. "Why do you pretend you barely know me?"

"You do not remember because you were a child. But your father and mine were once friends. All we wanted was peace." Because strangers are easier to control.

"You called killing my father peace? She laughs. I could feel the pain in her heart. "My father is dead. You killed him"

I wanted to explain to her but i had to bite down the urge. Her finding out the truth will destroy her.

"I acted like a stranger because it would be easier for me to control you. Stop searching for the truth Avelina."

"You are scared i will find out what you're hiding? Is that the reason

"You will get yourself killed. I am trying to protect you." I say trying to make her see reasons with me.  

The rain sounds could be heard as lightning strikes through the glass windows causing her eyes to glow.

"Do not think i fear you, Allessandro. I do not fear death but i want to know the truth before that happens and i will die trying to find it." She says.

"You do not seem to understand anything. The men who killed your father are still out there. They are searching for you and they would be very happy to finish what they started."

"You are lying, Allessandro. Trying to control me." She says.

"I wish it was all a lie."

She tries searching my face. But there was no more explanation

" I cannot promise to keep you safe if you do not trust me." I tell her.

There was silence. The only thing that could be heard was the sound of the rain and our heartbeats.

"I do not ask for you protection."  She says finally breaking the silence.

I take a deep breath. "You really do sound like my brother"

"Enzo? She asks puzzled.

"Yes." I say taking a seat.

"What business did your brother have with my father.?"

"My brother believed there was a betrayal. He died trying to find out who it was." I say as i look away.

" So you killed my father to avenge your brother?"

"I already told you i did not kill your father."

"If you did not then who did.?

"Quit searching for the truth, Avelina, Or you will get hurt in the process." I say to her calmly.

"You can't decide for me Allessandro."

"This is my house. And i make the decisions so deal with it." I say as my voice becomes loud.

She was about the say something when a knock interrupts.

It was Emilio. "We have a problem, Don Allessandro." He says.

"What is it.?" I say trying to take control.

"A guard was shot dead at the Morretti mansion. The second one this week.

"This is why i say you are not ready for the truth. The war is not over until they get you." I say staring at Avelina as she crys.

ALLESSANDRO'S POV CONTINUED.

The storm from the rain was calmer than the one brewing in the hall as the air tightens causing me to barely breath.

"Where was he shot?". I asked him.

"He was shot twice. One in his head and the other in his chest." He says staring at Avelina.

"Was there any witnesses?" I asked.

"Nobody is willing to talk." He says still staring at Avelina. "What should I-?"

"Please leave us." I said cutting him off.

I turn to look at her and at this point she has stopped crying. Although she looks pale her she still looked beautiful.  

"Is this in connection with my father?" She asks.

I was mute because telling her anything would only expose her to the dangers ahead.

She raises her voice. "You think keeping things from me is about protection? You can lie to everyone else but not to me"

"I am only trying to protect you. This is not about lying."

"So locking me up in this house is a form of protection?"

"Yes. It is." I say. "I am locking you up because immediately you step out you won't come back alive."'

She walks towards me with her hands on her waist. "You keep talking about protection when i do not know what it is you are protecting me from. I do not see any army breaking down walls. You are just being self centred. Protecting your ego."

Her words stings. "You think i am being self centered? I am the only one standing between you and your enemies. I can feed you to them. But i made my brother a promise not to let a single hair from your head fall."

I could see her eyes soften but only for a moment. "You talk about protection but who is protecting me from you.?"

The question burns my soul. Makes me feel like a monster.

I stand up from the chair and reached for her hand. "You do not need protection from me. I do not break promises, especially the one i made to my brother."

"Don't i?" She asks pulling her hand away from my grip. "You took everything from me. My freedom, my home, my father. What else do you want to do? Ruin my life by being my dictator?"

"I will take everything if that is the only way i can protect you."

I could see her flinch from the corner of my eyes but i do not stop talking. "That is the only way i can keep you from meeting your father." I say as i stormed out without meeting her gaze.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Days blur into one another. She sees him only in passing - always dressed in sharp suits, always flanked by men who treat her like a porcelain grenade, dangerous if mishandled.

She tells herself he is a monster. But then, cracks appear.

One afternoon, she is walking in the courtyard when a rival boss visiting the estate smirks and says, "Rossi's new wife. I wonder how long before she-"

The man doesn't finish. Allessandro's hand is suddenly at his throat, pinning him to the wall. His voice is calm, but each word is a blade. "You will not speak her name again. Ever."

The man stumbles away, pale. Avelina doesn't thank him. She just stares, unsettled by the fierce protectiveness that had nothing to do with politics.

Another night, she catches him in the study, reading a file. He looks up, and for a moment there is no hatred in his gaze - only something warmer, heavier, like he's memorizing her. She looks away first.

Over dinners they're forced to share for appearances, he surprises her by asking about her life before all this. She doesn't answer at first, but over time, small truths slip out - how she used to paint, how she hums without realizing it when she's nervous.

"You hum in C minor," he says one evening, swirling his wine.

She blinks. "You noticed that?"

"I notice everything about you."

She sets her fork down, unnerved. "That's not comforting."

He leans back, studying her. "It's not meant to be."

Still, the air between them shifts. It is no longer pure hate. Something else is beginning to seep in - something far more dangerous.

The night is quiet until it isn't.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ALLESSANDRO'S POV

My phone suddenly buzzes. I look down to a notification sent from someone.

They know she is alive. The message glows on my screen.

Cold sweats run through my skin.

"Is there a problem.?" She asks.

"It is not something you should worry yourself with." I say. "We would be going away for a while."

"Why? Where to?"

"Somewhere safe." I say to her.

"I am not running away."'

"I am taking you away from here, if i do not they will finish you off."

"You cannot make decisions for me Allessandro." She says trying to fight me.

"I am your husband. You do as i say. This is about keeping you alive and not what you want." I say before i stormed out of the hall.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Avelina hears gunfire outside the estate, sharp and sudden. Shouts follow, boots pounding against stone. She freezes in the hallway, gripping the banister, when two guards rush past her. One of them is carrying Allessandro.

He's bleeding.

The sight knocks the breath out of her - not from pity, she tells herself, but from shock. His suit jacket is torn, his white shirt blooming red at the shoulder. His jaw is tight with pain, but his eyes still find her.

"Move," one of the guards orders, but Allessandro stops them.

"Put me in my room," he says, voice low but firm. "She'll take care of it."

Her eyes widen. "I will not-"

"You will," he says, and there's no room for argument.

Minutes later, she's in his bedroom with a first aid kit she doesn't remember fetching. He sits on the edge of the bed, watching her with that same unshakable calm as she peels back the fabric of his shirt.

"You're lucky," she mutters, cleaning the wound. "Could have been your heart."

"Maybe it was," he says quietly.

She stops for half a second, then pretends she didn't hear him. "Hold still."

Her fingers brush his skin, and she hates that it feels warm under her touch. Their eyes meet - just a flicker too long. Something unspoken hums in the air, and she looks away, stitching in silence.

When she's done, she reaches for the bandage, but he catches her wrist gently.

"Be careful who you trust," he says, his voice low, close. "Not everyone in this house wants you alive."

The warning sits heavy between them. She pulls her hand back. "And I'm supposed to trust you?"

"That's up to you," he says, leaning back. "But I am the only one keeping you breathing."