Chapter ten

Alicia POV

I was already in the mansion when they returned.

That mattered.

I sat in Dante’s office, legs crossed, fingers wrapped around a glass I hadn’t touched. The room smelled faintly of leather and medication clean, sharp, familiar. His space always steadied me. It reminded me where I belonged.

The sound of the front doors opening carried through the house.

Footsteps.

Two sets.

I straightened slowly.

When Dante walked in with her beside him, I didn’t move.

He stopped first.

His gaze found me instantly.

“I thought you had gone home,” he said calmly. “What are you doing here?”

No irritation. No warmth. Just control.

I rose to my feet, smoothing my dress. “I decided to stay,” I replied lightly. “After today, I thought you might need me.”

His eyes flicked briefly to Elara.

She stood there quietly, hands folded, gaze lowered. She looked tired. Pale. Smaller than she had this morning.

Interesting.

“You didn’t need to,” Dante said. “But since you’re here”

“I’ll come in later,” I said quickly. “I’m sure you both need rest.”

He studied me for a moment, then nodded once.

“Elara,” he said, not looking at her, “go to your room.”

She obeyed without hesitation.

I watched her walk away.

The house swallowed her almost immediately.

Good.

I waited exactly three minutes before following.

Not rushed. Not hesitant.

When I reached her door, I didn’t knock.

I let myself in.

She was standing near the bed, her coat still on, as if she hadn’t decided whether to sit or leave again. She was startled when she saw me.

“Oh,” she said softly. “I”

“Relax,” I said. “I won’t stay long.”

She nodded, tense but polite.

I closed the door behind me.

The silence thickened.

“You did well today,” I said, circling slowly. “Doctors like you. That’s important.”

“I just answered their questions,” she replied.

“Yes,” I said. “You’re very good at that. Doing what you’re told.”

Her jaw tightened slightly.

I stopped in front of her.

“You should understand something,” I continued. “This arrangement doesn’t change your place here.”

She looked at me then. “I know.”

Do you?

“Dante is a man who values order,” I said. “He doesn’t like complications.”

“I don’t intend to be one,” she said quietly.

That almost made me laugh.

I leaned in closer, lowering my voice. “Intentions don’t protect people like you.”

Her fingers curled into the fabric of her coat.

“You’re here for a purpose,” I went on. “And purposes end.”

She swallowed.

“I’m not trying to replace anyone,” she said.

“I know,” I replied. “That’s the problem.”

I stepped back, smoothing my dress again.

“Get some rest,” I said lightly. “You’ll need it.”

Then I left.

I didn’t look back.

*************

Dante was in his office when I returned.

He stood near the desk, pill bottle in hand, jaw tight. He hadn’t taken them yet.

That worried me.

“You should sit,” I said immediately, crossing the room. “You’re pushing yourself.”

“I’m fine,” he replied, dry.

“You said that last time too.”

I reached for the glass of water, already prepared. My movements were quick, and I practiced too much.

“Here,” I said, holding it out. “Take them.”

He hesitated.

“Dante.”

He took the pills, dry, then the water after.

I watched his throat move.

“Careful,” I said, placing a hand on his arm. “You’re still recovering.”

He stiffened slightly but didn’t pull away.

“You don’t need to dramatize everything,” he said.

“I’m not dramatizing,” I snapped before catching myself. “I’m concerned.”

His gaze sharpened.

“I know,” he said quietly.

That only made it worse.

I stepped back, exhaling. “Today was… a lot.”

“Yes,” he agreed.

“She’s suitable,” I said carefully. “That’s all that matters.”

“For now,” he replied.

I studied with him. “You’re being cautious.”

“I’m being thorough.”

“You’re protecting her.”

His eyes lifted to mine. “I’m protecting what’s mine.”

The words settled uneasily between us.

I nodded slowly. “Of course.”

Silence stretched.

Then

“You shouldn’t have touched her,” he said suddenly.

My chest tightened. “I didn’t hurt her.”

“You struck her.”

“She almost killed you.”

“That wasn’t her intention.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do,” he said flatly.

I looked away, biting back something sharp.

“She needs to understand boundaries,” I said. “This house has rules.”

“And so do I,” he replied.

I forced a smile. “Then we’re aligned.”

But I wasn’t sure we were anymore.

***********

Later, alone in the guest wing, I stood at the window and watched the lights below.

Everything felt… off.

The house hadn’t changed.

Dante hadn’t changed.

And yet

Something had shifted.

Not loudly.

Quietly.

Like a door left ajar.

My phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

I stared at it for a long moment before answering.

“Yes?”

“She’s more valuable than you realize,” a voice said.

My grip tightened.

“And you’re closer to losing him than you think.”

The line went dead.

I lowered the phone slowly.

Outside, the mansion stood silent.

Inside, I smiled.

Because if this was becoming a war

I had no intention of losing.