The cool night air wrapped around Vanessa as she stood in the quiet hallway, her hands trembling at her sides. Her mind raced, her heart still pounding from the kiss, from everything that had just happened.
She wanted to push it away, to forget it, to pretend it didn't matter. But deep down, she knew it was too late. Vincenzo's touch lingered on her skin, and she couldn't shake the feeling that he knew something she didn't. That maybe, just maybe, he had always known what she tried so hard to ignore—the pull between them.
But she couldn't let herself get caught in that trap. Not now, not with everything that was happening. There was too much at stake.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. She quickly wiped the back of her hand across her lips, as if she could erase the kiss, but it was no use.
Vincenzo emerged from the shadows, his eyes still dark and unreadable. He didn't say anything at first, just stood there, watching her, as if trying to gauge whether she would crumble or stand her ground.
"Vanessa," he said softly, his voice low, almost gentle. "We need to talk."
She turned to face him, her expression hardening. "About what? About the fact that you kissed me? Or about the fact that you're keeping secrets from everyone, including me?"
His jaw clenched, the mask of control he always wore slipping for a second. "I didn't mean for things to get out of hand. But you have to understand, this isn't just about us. There's a bigger picture here."
Vanessa crossed her arms, her gaze narrowing. "A bigger picture? You mean the mafia? The betrayal? The lies?"
Vincenzo took a step toward her, his voice quiet but filled with a dangerous edge. "Yes, all of that. And more."
Her heart skipped a beat, the weight of his words sinking in. "What more?"
He hesitated, then looked away, as though the truth was something he wasn't ready to share.
"It's not just about the deal anymore. It's about power, Vanessa. Control. And the people we trust the most... aren't who they seem to be."
She stared at him, her mind reeling. The sudden shift in his tone, the dangerous undertone in his words—it was clear now that there were far more secrets at play than she'd ever imagined.
"You think I'm just going to sit back and let you drag me deeper into this?" she asked, her voice sharp, though a part of her wasn't sure if she was asking herself or him.
Vincenzo's eyes met hers again, and this time there was no denying the heat between them. "You don't have a choice," he said, his voice rough and full of something else she couldn't quite place. "We're already in this together. Whether you like it or not."