A Silent Ride, A Loud Storm
The car hummed softly as it cut through the night, but the silence between Aurora and Lorenzo was deafening.
She sat stiffly beside him, her hands clenched in her lap. Her heart still pounded from the confrontation with Dario.
Who was he really? Why did he care about their marriage? And why did Lorenzo look like he wanted to put a bullet between his eyes?
Lorenzo hadn't spoken a word since they left the club. His jaw was tight, his fingers drumming against his knee in a slow, deliberate rhythm.
Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.
"Who was he?" Her voice was soft, but it cut through the quiet.
Lorenzo didn't look at her. "No one you need to worry about."
She scoffed. "Really? Because he seemed very interested in me."
Lorenzo's jaw ticked. His grip tightened on his knee before he let out a slow breath. "Dario is a man who likes to test limits. He wanted to see if I had one."
Aurora frowned. "And do you?"
His gaze finally met hers, sharp and unreadable. "You tell me."
A chill ran down her spine. She knew the answer. Lorenzo didn't have limits. He was the limit.
A Dangerous Line
The car pulled into the Romano estate. The gates slid shut behind them, locking her in this gilded prison once more.
As soon as the door opened, Aurora stepped out, desperate for space. But Lorenzo was right behind her, his presence suffocating.
She spun to face him. "I don't like being paraded around like property."
Lorenzo arched a brow. "You're my wife."
"That doesn't make me a trophy."
He stepped closer, his towering frame making her feel small. "It makes you a statement."
Aurora swallowed hard. "A statement for who? Your enemies?"
He tilted his head slightly. "For everyone."
She shook her head. "You don't own me, Lorenzo."
His lips curled into something dark, something amused. "Don't I?"
His words wrapped around her throat like an invisible chain. She hated how easily he could make her question herself.
But she wouldn't break.
She straightened her shoulders. "I won't let you."
Lorenzo studied her for a long moment. Then, without warning, he reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His touch was slow, almost gentle.
It sent a shiver down her spine.
"You think you still have a choice, cara mia?" he murmured.
Aurora's breath hitched. She wanted to say yes. She wanted to scream it.
But deep down, she wasn't sure anymore.
A Bitter Truth
That night, sleep didn't come easily.
She lay in the massive bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing.
She thought about her family—the people who had lied to her. The father who had hidden their mafia ties. The mother who had told her everything would be fine, even when it wasn't.
And now, she was married to a man who was both her protector and her captor.
Her whole life had become a game of survival.
But there was one thing she knew for sure.
She wasn't going to be a pawn.
Aurora turned to the empty side of the bed, where Lorenzo should have been.
Where was he?
She hesitated for only a moment before slipping out of bed.
Her bare feet moved quietly against the cold marble floor as she left the bedroom and made her way down the hall.
The house was eerily silent, but a faint glow spilled from Lorenzo's study.
She hesitated in the doorway.
He was sitting at his desk, sleeves rolled up, cigarette between his fingers. His head was tilted downward as he stared at a file.
But something about him looked… different.
Tired.
Worn.
For the first time, he didn't look like the untouchable mafia leader. He looked human.
Aurora's heart clenched unexpectedly.
She took a step forward. "Lorenzo?"
His head snapped up. For a moment, something flickered in his gaze—something unguarded.
Then, just as quickly, it was gone.
"You should be asleep."
Aurora crossed her arms. "So should you."
He smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Some things can't wait."
She hesitated. "Is it about Dario?"
Lorenzo exhaled slowly. He didn't answer.
But that was answer enough.
Aurora bit her lip. "Do you trust him?"
Lorenzo let out a quiet chuckle. "I don't trust anyone, bella."
The weight of his words settled between them.
And for the first time, Aurora realized just how alone he was.
She should have been relieved. She should have walked away.
But instead, she took another step inside.
Maybe she was reckless. Maybe she was making a mistake.
But something inside her whispered—understanding him might be the only way to survive him.