Chapter 9 : Whispers of Doubt

“You need to stop Matteo,” Isabella said as she burst into Lorenzo’s office. “He’s dragging Elena on a deadly mission. That girl is new here—it’s her first night, for heaven’s sake!”

Lorenzo turned slowly in his chair, the smoke from his cigar curling lazily in the air as he studied his sister with amused detachment. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“What’s the problem, Bella?” he asked coolly.

Isabella’s eyes widened. “Did you not hear what I just said?”

“I heard you,” Lorenzo said, exhaling smoke. “But I don’t see the problem. Elena needs to prove herself.”

“You don’t see the problem?” Isabella snapped. “She just got here! She still needs training, and time to blend in. Matteo’s dragging her into something she’s not ready for.”

“And how exactly do you propose she learns, if she’s not tested?” Lorenzo asked, arching a brow. “Or do you expect her to sit in the lounge and sip cocktails while the rest of us do the dirty work?”

“Did you know about this?” Isabella demanded, arms folded. “Did you approve it?”

“I didn’t,” Lorenzo admitted. “But if Matteo decides she’s useful, I won’t stop him.”

“You trust him to go alone with her? Knowing the kind of man Matteo is? Knowing how he gets around new girls?” Isabella’s voice dropped, heavy with accusation. “You think that’s wise?”

Lorenzo leaned back in his chair, letting the silence stretch between them before speaking again. “Matteo’s not the reckless boy he used to be. He’s learned. He’s changed.”

Isabella scoffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Changed? Please. He’s already hitting on Elena. Matteo will never change, Lorenzo. He thinks with what’s between his legs.”

“Give him the benefit of the doubt,” Lorenzo said, his voice calm but laced with authority. “Matteo learned his lesson after what happened six years ago. I warned him—if he ever crossed that line again, I’d personally have him thrown in prison. And he knows I don’t make empty threats.”

“If that’s true, then why insist on taking Elena alone?” Isabella shot back.

“The mission is discreet,” Lorenzo explained, leaning forward. “We have a traitor in the family, Bella. Someone’s leaking information to our enemies. We can’t trust anyone right now.”

Isabella’s eyes widened. “A traitor? In the DeLuca family? Who would dare?”

Lorenzo’s expression darkened as he exhaled slowly. “I wish I knew. But whoever it is… once I find them, I’ll make an example so brutal, no one will ever think of betrayal again.”

“But that still doesn’t explain why Matteo had to go alone with Elena,” Isabella hissed. “He could’ve taken me. Or Marco. Why her?”

Lorenzo rose from his chair slowly, turning to face his sister. “Why are you so interested in Elena?”

Isabella scoffed and stepped closer, closing the distance between them. “And you’re not?”

“Excuse me?” Lorenzo raised a brow.

“I see the way you look at her, Lorenzo. The way you threw yourself in to save her from that bullet like some kind of savior,” she said, her tone sharp. “You’re more interested in Elena than I am, brother.”

Lorenzo chuckled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Me? Come on, Bella. You know she’s not in my league.”

“Oh yeah?” Isabella folded her arms. “Then why risk yourself for her?”

“She was in danger,” he replied coolly. “It was her first night. It would’ve looked bad to let her die. I’d do the same for any member of this family—you know that.”

“Sure,” Isabella said, voice tinged with sarcasm. “But there’s something about her that’s got your attention. I saw it. While the police were here, your eyes never left her.”

“She’s new. I’m keeping an eye on her,” Lorenzo said, jaw tightening slightly.

Isabella raised her hands in mock surrender, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. “Okay, if you say so.”

“But I like her,” she added, the smile fading. “She seems like a good girl, and I’m not comfortable with Matteo being alone with her.”

Lorenzo stepped closer, gently placing his hands on her shoulders and tilting her chin up so their eyes met.

“She’ll be fine,” he said quietly. “It’s just a mission.”

Isabella brushed his hand away, her expression stoic. “If you say so.”

She turned to leave, but stopped at the door, her voice hardening as she glanced over her shoulder.

“If what happened to Emilia six years ago happens to Elena… I’ll kill Matteo myself. And I’ll never forgive you.”

She walked out, leaving Lorenzo standing in silence.