Chapter - Three

Aleena — POV

I woke before dawn, only to find the most annoyingly handsome face already waiting for me. Caldwell. Of course. My day started with his bitter expression and rigid posture, standing in the corner like some damn soldier on guard duty.

Ignoring him was impossible. I hated this situation. Hated him even more for ratting me out to my sister. I still didn’t know how he figured out my trick.

I pulled on my training clothes and zipped up my jacket.

“I’ll be training with you.”

I nearly jumped at the sound of his voice. Flat. Controlled. Emotionless.I turned toward him. He was already watching me.

“Is this my father’s order now? You training me?”

“No. He didn’t tell me to train you.” His voice stayed calm. Detached.

I headed for the door, but paused when he spoke again.

“I’m not training you. I’m training myself.”

I scoffed. “Really? Then let’s spar.”

Yesterday’s interruption still burned under my skin. I planned on making him pay for it. He stared at me like I’d suggested something absurd.

“I don’t want to spar with you.”

“I wasn’t asking,” I shot back. “I was telling you.”

His eyes narrowed slightly before he followed me into the training room.

The second we stepped onto the mat, I dropped into my stance.

He mirrored me instantly.

“I’m going on offense,” I warned.

Caldwell only gave a single nod.

I lunged first, throwing a hard punch toward his jaw, but he ducked smoothly to the left. I followed with a low sweep aimed at knocking him off balance, but he jumped back just in time, landing lightly on his feet.

Damn him.

I pushed back to my feet and came at him again, throwing quick punches to distract him before sweeping low with my leg. He dodged it. Again.

Annoying bastard.

Those icy blue eyes stayed locked on me now, sharp with interest, like he was finally starting to enjoy himself.

I attacked faster this time, driving punch after punch toward him. He blocked most of them with infuriating ease, but I still managed to land a few solid hits to his ribs. A strained breath escaped from his lips.

Good. I grabbed his arm and tried to slam him onto the mat, but he twisted out of my hold. I reacted instantly, driving a hard sidekick into him and finally knocking him off balance.

He hit the mat hard.

Satisfaction rushed through me. It felt way too good to hit him. Caldwell looked up at me with an amused smirk tugging at his mouth.

“What’s with the smile?” I demanded.

“You wanted this spar to kick my ass,” he said calmly. “Not train.”

I crossed my arms. “What gave you that impression?”

His smirk only deepened.

“I needed to kick someone’s ass today,” I shot back. “You were just the lucky target.”

One brow lifted slightly. “Should we start a real spar?”

A grin spread across my face before I could stop it. It had been a long time since someone could actually keep up with me.

He moved back onto his feet in one smooth motion.

“Yes,” I said, dropping into my stance again. “Let’s do it.”

This time, he attacked first. Fast. So fast, I barely dodged in time. His leg swept toward mine, aiming to knock me flat on my back, but I twisted away at the last second.

“Interesting,” he muttered during the exchange.

I blocked another strike and countered with a sidekick, but he caught my leg mid-motion and yanked hard.

My balance disappeared instantly. He reached out like he meant to catch me before I hit the floor, but we both crashed onto the mat together. But somehow I managed to land on top of him.

My breath caught. His body felt solid beneath mine, hard muscles and heat pressed against me. I tried to push myself up, but the movement only left me straddling him more firmly. Neither of us moved for a second.

“How did you figure out my trick?” I asked quietly.

“I noticed when you flipped the coin in the air,” he said, completely unfazed.

I narrowed my eyes. “Then why expose me? It’s not exactly like you to involve yourself in my business.”

He didn’t answer.

“I knew I’d find you here.”

I turned toward the familiar voice and froze. Nico stood in the doorway, dressed in a casual shirt and blue jeans, his black hair slightly messy and his green eyes colder than I’d ever seen them. Then I realized what he was looking at.

Me.

Straddling Caldwell. My stomach dropped. I pushed myself off Caldwell immediately and stood, putting distance between us.

“Nico,” I said, forcing my voice to stay calm. “Didn’t expect you this early.”

“I was forced to come early,” he muttered.

But his eyes weren’t on me anymore. They were on Caldwell. I glanced over my shoulder. Caldwell had already risen to his feet, his expression guarded. Nico walked toward him, slow and controlled.

“Who is he?” he asked in a low voice.

“My bodyguard,” I muttered.

Nico’s eyes narrowed. “An American bodyguard?”

“Yeah. Apparently my father lost his mind and hired an American instead of one of the local Sicilian men. Trust me, I’m just as surprised as you are.”

Nico’s jaw tightened.

Then he looked at Caldwell.

“Spar with me.”

The room went still. Caldwell glanced at me once before his face hardened. Then both men stepped onto the mat. They took their fighting stances, circling each other like predators. Nico struck first, throwing a sharp punch toward Caldwell’s jaw, but Caldwell dodged and countered fast.

Nico blocked him. Barely. The sound of their fists cutting through the air made my pulse jump. They moved with brutal precision, each one testing the other. Caldwell fought like a soldier—controlled, efficient, lethal. But Nico wasn’t behind him. Not even close.

Nico landed a hard punch across Caldwell’s face. Blood split from Caldwell’s lip. My breath caught. How the hell was Nico this good? Caldwell wiped the blood away with his thumb, his eyes darkening. Then he drove a clean punch into Nico’s stomach.

Nico staggered back half a step. Caldwell came after him, aiming for his face, but Nico dodged at the last second and swung back. Both of their fists flew toward each other at the same time.

“Stop!” I shouted.

They froze mid-strike. For one tense second, neither of them moved. Then they lowered their fists and stepped apart, both looking annoyed that I had been interrupted.

Nico moved closer to me, stepping into my personal space like he had every right to be there. His expensive cologne wrapped around me he smelled like cedarwood mixed with something cool mint. He leaned down, his mouth close to my ear.

“Don’t get close to other men, Aleena,” he whispered coldly. “I’m not handling another scandal because of you.”

His gaze moved over my face, sharp with quiet accusation. Anger burned through me. He dared to think that about me? I stepped closer instead of backing away, meeting his stare with my own.

“I’m not the kind of woman who cheats,” I said, my voice low and steady. “I handle my responsibilities perfectly well. If people choose to misunderstand things, that’s not my fault.”

Nico’s green eyes stayed unreadable.

“Careful, Aleena,” he said. “Men like him are trouble.”

His gaze flicked toward Caldwell.

“And when that trouble comes, you won’t have anyone on your side.”

Then he walked away, throwing one last cold look at Caldwell. Caldwell stared back with the same icy calm.

“I can handle myself,” I called after Nico.

He didn’t turn around. I looked back at Caldwell. Maybe Nico was right. Caldwell worked for my father. That alone meant I needed to be careful. I couldn’t trust him either.

“I won’t hurt you, Ms. Aleena,” Caldwell said calmly.

I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth.

“I’ve trusted too many people,” I said. “They betrayed me anyway.”

Then I walked out of the training room and headed back to my bedroom. Annoyed how my day even started.