Lucas did not expect to see Emily again so soon.

But two days later, she walked straight into the university courtyard like nothing had happened.

Confident.

Calm.

Beautiful.

And wearing a dress he had never seen before.

His chest tightened.

"Emily.I've been trying to call you," he said.

She turned.

"Oh.I noticed."

Her tone was polite.

Distant.

Lucas hated it.

"Can we talk?"

Emily hesitated… then shrugged.

"Fine."

They sat at a bench beneath a large oak tree.

Lucas leaned forward.

"I messed up."

"Yes."

"I didn't mean to hurt you."

"But You did."

He rubbed his hands together nervously.

"I want to fix things."

She shook her head.

"You can't."

Lucas frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"It means we're done."

The finality in her voice shocked him.

"Just like that?"

"You cheated on me."

Then he said something that made Emily pause.

"I heard something weird yesterday."

"What?"

"That you've been seen around the city… with someone."

Lucas leaned closer.

"Some Italian guy."

She forced a neutral expression.

"And?"

Lucas scoffed.

"Come on, Em. You're not actually dating someone already."

"Why not?"

"Because you're not that kind of person."

Emily tilted her head.

"What kind of person?"

"The kind who rebounds with random rich Europeans."

Her eyes cooled.

"You lost the right to judge my choices."

Lucas sighed.

"Look… whoever this guy is… he's probably just some rich tourist."

Emily almost laughed.

*If only you knew.*

Lucas continued.

"You should come back with me."

"Back where?"

"Back home. After the semester."

Emily studied him.

For the first time… she realized she felt nothing.

No anger.

No sadness.

Just distance.

"Lucas," she said softly.

"Yes?"

"I think Italy changed me."

He frowned.

"What does that mean?"

She stood.

"It means I'm not the girl you cheated on anymore."

Lucas grabbed her wrist.

"Emily, wait—"

A deep voice interrupted.

"You should release her."

Lucas turned.

A tall man in a black suit stood a few steps away.

Lucas frowned.

"Who are you?"

Emily's heart skipped.

Because she recognized that voice immediately.

Alessandro Romano looked at Lucas with cold calm.

"Someone who dislikes watching men make poor decisions."

Lucas scoffed.

"This is none of your business."

Alessandro stepped closer.

"On the contrary."

His gaze flicked briefly toward Emily.

"Emily," he said softly.

"Did you wantthis conversation to continue?"

Emily shook her head.

"No."

Alessandro nodded once.

Then he looked back at Lucas.

"You heard the lady."

Lucas bristled.

"And if I don't leave?"

For a moment…

Alessandro simply stared at him.

Then he smiled slightly.

It was not a friendly smile.

"Then," he said quietly, "you will learn why people in this city avoid disappointing me."

Lucas felt a sudden chill.

Because something in Alessandro's voice sounded less like a threat…

And more like a promise.

The courtyard of the university slowly emptied.

Lucas had already walked away, pale and silent after Alessandro's calm but unmistakable warning.

Emily stood beside the fountain, arms folded.

Alessandro remained a few steps away, watching her carefully.

Finally she spoke.

"You didn't have to threaten him."

"I didn't threaten him."

Emily raised an eyebrow.

"That sounded exactly like a threat."

Alessandro shrugged slightly.

"I simply informed him of reality."

She sighed.

"You do realize normal people don't talk like that."

"Emily," he said calmly, "I stopped being a normal person a long time ago."

That much was obvious.

Students nearby whispered as they passed.

Some recognized Alessandro.

Some didn't.

But everyone instinctively gave him space.

Emily noticed.

"You shouldn't come here," she said quietly.

"Why not?"

"Because people are staring."

"They always stare."

"That's not what I mean."

She stepped closer, lowering her voice.

"You're a powerful man with enemies. If people see you around me, it could become dangerous."

For the first time, Alessandro's expression hardened slightly.

"It already has."

Emily blinked.

"That sounds ominous."

"It is honest."

Emily sighed and rubbed her temple."This is exactly why dating a mafia boss is a terrible idea."

"Who said anything about dating?"Alessandro said calmly."That was an introduction."

Emily folded her arms again.

"An introduction to what?"

His gaze darkened slightly.

"To me."

A silence stretched between them.

Then Alessandro spoke again."There are rules.""You should hear them."

"Fine," she said."Let's hear the mafia rulebook."

Alessandro took a step closer.

His voice lowered slightly.

"Rule one."

Emily raised an eyebrow."Yes?"

"You do not belong to anyone who disrespects you."

Her heart skipped.

"That sounds reasonable."

"It is also non-negotiable."

She nodded slowly.

"Okay.Rule two."

"If someone harms you, they answer to me."

Emily frowned.

"That sounds very… possessive."

"It is."

"And rule three?" she asked carefully.

Alessandro's gaze held hers.

"Do not lie to me."

Emily tilted her head.

"That's it?"

"For now."

She studied him.

"You know," she said slowly, "those rules sound suspiciously like you think I belong to you."

For a moment Alessandro said nothing.

Then he replied calmly:

"I think you are a woman worth protecting."

Emily's pulse quickened.

"And if I don't want protection?"

"Everyone needs protection."

"Not like that."

His expression softened just slightly.

"Emily."

"Yes?"

"You walked into my life two days ago."

"Yes."

"And already men are fighting over you."

She rolled her eyes.

"Lucas doesn't count."

"Perhaps not."

He stepped closer.

"But I do."

Emily's breath caught slightly.

"You're very confident."

"I rarely lose."

She held his gaze.

"And what exactly are you expecting from me?"

Alessandro didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he reached into his pocket and placed a small invitation card on the bench beside her.

Emily looked down.

Gold lettering.

Elegant.

A location she didn't recognize.

"A party?" she asked.

"A gathering."

Emily picked up the card.

"Why are you inviting me?"

"Because," Alessandro said quietly, "if you're going to be in my world… you should see it."