Chapter 4 - The Threat Escalates
The next morning, the sun broke through the curtains of the luxurious bedroom Ava shared with Mila. For the first time in years, Ava had slept on a feather mattress, free from the constant anxiety of unpaid bills and threatening phone calls.
Mila was sitting on the edge of the plush bed, giggling as Mrs. Higgins brought in a tray loaded with pancakes, fresh berries, and hot chocolate.
"Eat up, darling," Mrs. Higgins smiled warmly. "Mr. Moretti ordered the chef to prepare whatever you desired."
Ava walked over, sitting beside her sister. "Where is Mr. Moretti?"
"In his office downstairs, dear," Mrs. Higgins replied softly. "He's been awake since dawn. There's been... trouble in the city."
Leaving Mila with the housekeeper, Ava made her way down the grand staircase. She followed the quiet sound of arguing voices to a pair of heavy mahogany doors at the end of the main hallway.
"...they hit two of our supply trucks in the docks last night," Luca’s voice boomed from inside. "Don Vance is pushing for an all-out war, Matteo! He thinks you've grown soft because you didn't execute the girl who embarrassed you at the gala!"
"Let him think what he wants," Matteo’s voice replied, calm and lethal. "Vance is desperate. He's broke, his shipments are being seized by federal agents, and he needed that gala distraction to steal our encryption keys. He failed."
"And the girl? What do we do with Ava Monroe?" Luca asked.
Ava held her breath outside the door, her fingers clutching the doorframe.
"She stays here," Matteo answered immediately. "She is under my personal protection. Anyone who touches a hair on her head will answer to me personally."
"Matteo, she's a civilian!" Luca argued. "She's a distraction!"
"She saved my life," Matteo said coldly, making Ava’s heart skip a beat. "If she hadn't stepped up to kiss me, Vance’s sniper on the balcony wouldn't have missed his window when my guards shifted position. She accidentally blocked the line of sight. She doesn't know it, but she took a risk that kept me alive."
Ava gasped softly, backing away from the door. She hadn't just kissed a stranger for money—she had unknowingly stepped directly between a sniper's bullet and the most dangerous man in the city.
The heavy door suddenly swung open. Matteo stood in the threshold, catching Ava mid-step.
"Eavesdropping, Miss Monroe?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I... I was just looking for you," Ava stuttered, her cheeks burning red. "Is it true? Was there a sniper?"
Matteo sighed, stepping into the hallway and closing the door behind him. "Yes. Celeste Vance's play was far more sinister than a simple kiss. But you survived, and so did I."
"What happens now?" she asked nervously.
May you like
Matteo looked down at her, reaching out to gently tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. The touch was so tender it made Ava’s breath catch in her throat.
"Now," Matteo whispered, "I fix your sister's smile. And then I destroy the Vances."
