Proof of Life

The study was a massive, imposing room that smelled of old paper, leather, and cedar wood. Two walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, while the third consisted of bulletproof glass overlooking the cliffs and the ocean below. Enzo was standing by the large mahogany desk, sorting through a stack of legal folders.

"Good morning, Mrs. Marchetti," Enzo said, bowing his head respectfully as they entered.

Vittoria flinched slightly at the title. "Please, just call me Vittoria."

"That is not how this works, Vittoria," Cassian said, walking behind the desk. "He will address you with the respect your position demands. Enzo, did you set up the secure line?"

"It is ready, boss," Enzo replied, handing a modified black satellite phone to Cassian. "The routing is clean. It is bouncing through three different servers in Europe. Nobody can trace the location of either estate from this call."

"Thank you, Enzo," Cassian said. "Give us the room."

Enzo nodded, casting a brief, polite glance at Vittoria before exiting the study and closing the double doors behind him, leaving the two of them alone in the quiet room.

"Sit," Cassian commanded, gesturing to the leather chair opposite his desk.

"I prefer to stand," Vittoria said, her hands trembling as she stared at the black phone in his hand.

"You will sit, Vittoria," Cassian repeated, his voice dropping to that low, authoritative register that left no room for negotiation. "You are nervous, and your knees are shaking. Sit down before you fall."

Vittoria reluctantly slid into the chair, her fingers clutching the edge of the mahogany desk. "Just call her, Cassian. Please. Don't make me wait any longer."

Cassian dialed the number, his face expressionless as the call went through. He held the phone to his ear for a moment before speaking. "Status."

"The perimeter is clear, boss," a deep voice replied on the speaker. "The guest is in the living room. She is currently having tea."

"Put her on," Cassian ordered, passing the phone across the desk to Vittoria. "You have five minutes. Do not tell her where you are, and do not make her worry. If you panic, I will end the call."

Vittoria snatched the phone, pressing it to her ear. "Mom? Mom, is that you?"

"Vittoria!" Teresa's voice came through the line, frantic and thick with unshed tears. "Oh, thank God. Vittoria, are you alright? Did they hurt you? Where are you?"

"I am fine, Mom," Vittoria said, a sob catching in her throat as she forced herself to stay calm. She looked up and saw Cassian watching her, his dark eyes analyzing every muscle in her face. "I am completely safe. Nobody has hurt me. I promise."

"Where are they keeping you?" Teresa pleaded. "They brought me to this massive house, but there are guards everywhere. They will not let me leave the property. Vittoria, what did that monster do to you?"

"He did not do anything, Mom," Vittoria lied, her fingers tightening around the phone. "We... we had to get married. To protect us both from the syndicate elders. It was the only way to stop them from hunting us."

"Married?" Teresa whispered, her voice cracking with pure horror. "To a Marchetti? Vittoria, his father ordered your father's execution. They are monsters. They do not know how to love. They only know how to destroy."

"Cassian is keeping me safe, Mom," Vittoria said, her voice shaking as she stared at the silver bracelet on her wrist. "He has provided everything we need. You do not have to run anymore. You do not have to live in fear of the shadows. We are safe now."

"I am in fear of what they will do to you, sweet girl," Teresa cried. "You are a Carvelli. The elders will never accept you. They will see you as a threat."

"They have to accept me," Vittoria said, trying to sound confident. "Cassian made sure of that last night. Please, just rest. Take care of yourself. I will call you again as soon as I can."

"I love you, Vittoria," Teresa said, her voice fading slightly. "Please, keep your eyes open. Do not trust his touch."

"I love you too, Mom," Vittoria whispered, her eyes filling with tears.

Cassian reached across the desk, gently taking the phone from her hand and disconnecting the call. Vittoria pressed her face into her hands, her shoulders shaking as she let the tears fall freely.

"She is safe, Vittoria," Cassian said, his voice unusually quiet as he walked around the desk.

"She is safe because I am your hostage," Vittoria sobbed, her hands dropping as he pulled her up from the chair.

"She is safe because you are my wife," Cassian corrected, pulling her against his solid chest. His large hands rubbed her back, his warmth slowly seeping through her knit sweater. "If you were a hostage, I would not care about your tears. Stop crying, sweet girl. You did well."

"I hate you," she whispered, her fingers curling into his shirt anyway, seeking the comfort of his strength despite her words.

"You can hate me all you want," Cassian murmured, his hand cupping the back of her head, pressing her face into his shoulder. "But you will stay safe. And you will stay mine."

Vittoria stood there in his arms, hating how safe she felt in the embrace of the man who had stolen her life. The physical pull between them was undeniable, a dangerous fire that had been lit the moment their eyes met at the club. She knew she was falling into a trap, but as his arms tightened around her, she found herself not wanting to escape.

"Are you finished crying?" Cassian asked, his voice low against her ear.

"Yes," she murmured, wiping her face as she stepped back. "I am finished."

"Good," Cassian said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a clean handkerchief to wipe the remaining tears from her cheek. "We have more business to handle today. Go back to your room and rest. I will have Maria bring you some tea."

"Thank you, Cassian," Vittoria said softly, turning to leave the study.

As she walked out, she could feel his dark eyes tracking her every move, a silent promise that she would never be out of his sight.