THE LEAK

~~ NICCOLÒ~~

My fingers tightened around the folder until the edges bit into my palm. The paper creased under the pressure, but I barely felt it.

For a moment I just stood there, staring at the closed door.

“I’d rather die than marry you.”

She had no idea how dangerous those words were in my world. Most people who spoke to me like that didn't live long enough to regret it. Yet something about her defiance stuck to me.

Before I could shove the thoughts aside, the door opened again with a soft click.

“Boss.”

Matteo stepped in, his expression grim as he closed the door with a quiet click I felt more than heard.

I tossed the folder onto the table. The sharp slap cut through the room. “How the fuck did they find out about her?”

Matteo shut the door fully. “There’s no way they should’ve known this fast. Not unless someone inside talked.”

“Within,” I finished for him.

He nodded once.

I leaned back in the leather chair, forcing a slow breath through my nose. Control. Always control.

Panic was a luxury I couldn't afford, not with rivals already circling and a girl who had just become the biggest weakness in my house.

“Lock this place down. Every corridor. Every exit. Review the camera feeds twice. Verify all rotations. No one moves unless they’re accounted for.”

Matteo hesitated for half a second. “You think the leak is inside the house?”

“I don’t think,” I said quietly. “I know.”

He held my gaze, then nodded more solemnly. “Understood.”

A heavy pause settled between us.

“Find the traitor,” I added, my voice low and final. “Handle it personally. I don't want Lena hearing anything until I decide what she needs to know.”

“Yes, Boss.”

Matteo turned toward the door, but he paused with his hand on the handle. He angled his body so I could clearly see his face. “One more thing. Alessia’s back.”

My hand stilled on the folder. The name landed heavier than it should.

Before Matteo could say anything else, the door swung open without a knock.

“Hello, brother.”

Alessia strolled in with effortless grace — tall, composed, her light brown hair falling straight. She moved as if the mansion answered to her.

I exhaled sharply and leaned back in the chair, rubbing a hand over my jaw. “Fuck.”

She tilted her head, a faint smirk on her lips. “What? Not happy to see me?”

“Of course I am,” I replied dryly, my tone flat enough to make the words almost sarcastic. I kept my focus on her lips as she spoke, the familiar habit grounding me even in the middle of chaos.

“Hmm. Very convincing.”

Silence stretched. Her sharp eyes studied me too closely.

“So…” she said lightly, coming to stand directly in front of the desk, “I heard there’s a girl.”

My jaw tightened. “Whatever you heard is business. Don’t read into it.”

“Business,” she echoed, unconvinced. Her gaze flicked over me. “And you gave her a room in the main wing? That’s… generous for business.”

I didn’t answer. Admitting anything would only give her more ammunition.

“Oh,” she said slowly, realization dawning. A small, knowing smile curved her lips. “I see. Is she for—”

“The fuck?” I cut in sharply, my voice dropping. The chair creaked as I sat forward. “She’s not. Don’t finish that sentence.”

Alessia watched me for a long second, her expression softening just a fraction. “Then why did you bring her here, Niccolò?”

“She’s payment,” I said flatly. “Her father’s debt.”

A quiet laugh escaped her. She shook her head. “Even you don’t believe that anymore.”

“Believe whatever you want, Alessia,” I muttered, waving a hand dismissively. “It doesn’t change the facts.”

Her eyes narrowed at the dismissal, but she let it slide. “So… where is she? I want to meet her.”

“I don’t know,” I brushed it off. “Go find her yourself, if you're that curious.” 

A genuine smile spread across her face. “Oh, I will.”

My grip tightened on the armrest, knuckles whitening beneath the ink on my wrist.

“Be careful with her,” I said quietly.

Alessia paused at the door and glanced back, “Careful? You’re the one who dragged her into this world, brother. You put the target on her back the moment you brought her through those gates.”

“Alessia.”

“Relax, brother.” She gave a light shrug, but her eyes held a sharper glint. “What did you think I was going to do?”

She stepped out, the door clicking shut behind her.

The room felt heavier once she was gone. I reached for my phone to check the camera feeds myself when a sharp knock sounded… urgent this time.

Matteo burst back in without waiting, the door slamming against the wall with a heavy thud. I caught the movement first, before the sound fully registered. 

My head snapped toward the door, eyes locking on his face immediately. He looked pale, breathing hard, mouth already forming words.

“Boss, there's an issue.”

I stood instantly.“What now?”

“The cameras on the east wing… they’re down. Someone cut the feed ten minutes ago.” He swallowed, eyes wide. “And Lena, she’s not in her room. One of the guards just reported movement near the service stairs. But it wasn’t one of ours.”

My blood ran cold. I leaned forward slightly, keeping my gaze fixed on him as he spoke.

Before I could respond, my phone vibrated violently on the desk, the buzzing rattling against the wood.

The sudden vibration drew my eyes down first. I snatched it up, answering on speaker and angling the device carefully so I could watch the screen as well as listen.

“Who is this?

A distorted voice came through. “Tell your new little wife she has until sunrise to accept the proposal… or we hand her over to the Santoros. They’ve offered a nice price for the girl. Pay us five million by dawn and she stays with you. Refuse, and she becomes their problem. Oh, and Niccolò? We already have someone inside. Sweet dreams.”

The line went dead.

I stared at the phone, heart pounding with a rare surge of real fear.