CHAPTER ELEVEN: BEHIND HIS PROTECTION

What's blocking the gate?" Alessandro demanded.

Marco spoke into his earpiece, listening briefly before answering.

"A delivery truck has been abandoned across the entrance. Our men are checking it now."

Alessandro's arm tightened around Isabella's waist.

"Is it safe to approach the cars?"

"Not yet, sir."

Around them, guests were beginning to panic. Some hurried back into the villa, while others called their drivers. Victor's security personnel were nowhere to be seen.

Alessandro looked toward the entrance.

"Marco, get two men to secure the rear exit. Have the cars brought around there."

Marco nodded and hurried away.

Isabella swallowed. "Do you think Victor planned this?"

"I think someone wants us delayed here."

"Because of me?"

His eyes returned to hers.

"Because of us."

She had never heard him say those words so naturally. They should have comforted her, but the distant crash outside reminded her that someone was willing to cause trouble just to frighten them.

"Alessandro, if this is because I'm with you, perhaps I should—"

"No."

"But you haven't heard what I was going to say."

"I know what you're thinking. You want to offer yourself as the solution to a problem you didn't create."

She stared at him.

He lowered his voice.

"You are my wife, Isabella. Your safety is not something I'm willing to bargain with."

Her throat tightened.

Before she could answer, Marco returned.

"The rear exit is clear. We should move."

Alessandro took her hand.

"Stay close."

They followed Marco down a corridor leading toward the back of the villa. Two guards walked ahead, while another followed behind them.

Isabella tried to keep her breathing steady.

She had wanted to understand Alessandro's world. She had asked to learn about his businesses, to attend meetings, and to become less frightened of the dangers surrounding him.

But knowing danger existed was different from hearing a crash outside and wondering whether someone was waiting to hurt you.

As they reached the rear doors, a guard suddenly raised his hand.

"Stop."

Everyone froze.

A man stood beside the garden wall, holding a phone. He looked toward them, then quickly turned away.

One of the guards moved to intercept him.

The stranger ran.

"Don't follow him!" Marco shouted.

But the man had already disappeared around the corner.

Alessandro pulled Isabella behind him, shielding her with his body.

"Are you hurt?"

"No."

"Did he touch you?"

"No, Alessandro. I'm fine."

His eyes searched her face before he nodded.

Then Marco's phone rang.

He answered, listened, and swore under his breath.

"What is it?" Alessandro asked.

"The truck at the main gate is empty. Its driver left before our men arrived. The gate can be cleared, but it will take several minutes."

Alessandro looked toward the dark garden.

"Then we're leaving through the rear."

He led Isabella to the waiting car.

This time, he didn't release her hand until she was safely inside.

---

The journey back to the mansion was quiet.

Isabella sat beside Alessandro, her hands folded tightly in her lap. Every passing vehicle made her glance toward the window.

He noticed.

"You're allowed to be frightened."

She looked at him. "I know."

"You don't have to pretend otherwise."

She drew a shaky breath.

"I thought attending the gathering would help me understand your world. I didn't expect someone to block the gate and send men after us."

"Neither did I."

"Does this happen often?"

"Not always. But men like Victor enjoy making their enemies feel watched."

She hesitated.

"Then what happens next?"

Alessandro turned toward her.

"We increase security, find out who was responsible, and make it clear that threatening my family has consequences."

His answer was calm, but there was something dangerous beneath it.

Isabella looked down at their joined hands.

"I don't want to become a reason you start a war."

"You aren't responsible for another man's choices."

"But I am your weakness, aren't I? That's what Victor said."

Alessandro's expression hardened.

"Victor thinks everyone has a price. He believes the people we love are simply convenient ways to hurt us."

"And what do you believe?"

He was silent for a moment.

Then he lifted her hand and pressed a brief kiss against her knuckles.

"I believe he has made a mistake by underestimating you."

Isabella looked at him, startled by the tenderness of the gesture.

"How can you say that? I was terrified."

"You were frightened, but you didn't run blindly into danger. You listened to the instructions, stayed with us, and told me honestly when you were struggling."

He brushed his thumb across her knuckles.

"Courage isn't the absence of fear, Isabella."

Her eyes warmed.

For a moment, she forgot about the blocked gate and the stranger in the garden.

She simply looked at her husband, wondering when his words had begun to matter so much to her.

Then he released her hand and turned toward the window.

But he didn't move away from her for the rest of the journey.

---

When they arrived at the mansion, Maria was waiting in the entrance hall.

"Thank goodness you're home," she exclaimed. "I heard there was trouble at the gathering."

"We're fine," Alessandro assured her. "Please prepare something warm for Isabella."

"I'm not hungry," Isabella protested.

Maria gave her a knowing look.

"Then I'll prepare something small. You can decide after you've had a chance to rest."

Isabella smiled weakly.

"Thank you, Maria."

Alessandro instructed Marco to review the security arrangements before escorting Isabella upstairs.

Inside their bedroom, she removed her earrings and placed them on the dressing table. Her fingers were still trembling slightly.

Alessandro loosened his tie.

"Would you prefer to sleep in another room tonight?"

She turned toward him, surprised.

"Why would I?"

"You've had a difficult evening. I don't want you to feel that you must stay beside me if you're uncomfortable."

Isabella studied him.

He had every reason to be concerned about the threat, yet he was giving her a choice instead of deciding what she needed.

"I'm frightened of what happened tonight," she admitted. "But I'm not frightened of sleeping in the same room as you."

Something softened in his eyes.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded.

"Besides, I have a question."

He raised an eyebrow. "Another one?"

"Several, actually."

He almost smiled.

"Go on."

"Tomorrow, can I continue my training?"

He stared at her.

"After tonight?"

"Especially after tonight. I don't want to become reckless, and I don't expect to defend myself against a room full of armed men. But I want to know what to do if I'm ever separated from my security team."

Alessandro considered her request.

"Yes. We'll also arrange your first firearms safety lesson with a qualified instructor. You won't handle a weapon until you've learned the rules and demonstrated that you understand them."

Her face brightened.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. Your instructor will probably be stricter than Daniel."

She laughed softly.

The sound eased something inside him.

Alessandro had spent years surrounding himself with people who obeyed him, feared him, or wanted something from him. Isabella was different. She was afraid of the danger around them, yet she continued asking questions and searching for ways to stand on her own feet.

He found himself wanting to protect that part of her.

Not because she belonged to him.

Because it was hers.

---

The following morning, Alessandro was in his study when Marco entered with an update.

"We've identified the man who was watching the rear exit."

"And?"

"He's an employee of a private security company that has worked for Victor Salvatore before. He claims he was only taking photographs of the guests."

Alessandro's expression turned cold.

"Did he admit to blocking the gate?"

"No. But the truck was rented using false identification, and we're checking the records."

"Find the person who arranged it. I want evidence before we make any accusations."

Marco nodded.

Alessandro slowly closed the folder in front of him.

"He wants my attention."

"Yes, sir. And now he has it."

Alessandro rose and walked to the window.

"Then he'll get a response. But not the one he's expecting."

His phone rang.

Victor's name appeared on the screen.

Alessandro answered.

"Victor."

"Alessandro. I hope you and your lovely wife arrived home safely."

Alessandro's jaw tightened.

"Choose your next words carefully."

Victor laughed softly.

"You make it sound as though I attacked you. It was a misunderstanding at the gate."

"Then you won't object to explaining it in person."

A pause followed.

"Of course not. In fact, I have a proposal that might interest you. A private business meeting. Tomorrow afternoon."

"And why should I attend?"

"Because I intend to discuss something that concerns your wife."

Alessandro went completely still.

"If you have something to say about Isabella, say it now."

"Not over the phone."

The call ended.

For several seconds, Alessandro stared at the screen.

Then he called Marco.

"Prepare the car. We're going to see Victor tomorrow."

"Should Mrs. Moretti accompany you?"

Alessandro glanced toward the bedroom, where Isabella was preparing for her training session.

"No."

He paused.

"At least, that's what I intend to tell her."