The Monitored Line

The afternoon passed slowly, the quiet of the estate only broken by the distant sound of the waves crashing against the cliffs. Vittoria sat in the library, a large book open on her lap, though she had not read a single page. Her mind was a chaotic mess of thoughts, shifting between the safety of her mother, the violence of the syndicate, and the intense, possessive touch of Cassian.

The heavy double doors of the library opened, and Enzo stepped inside, holding a familiar pink-cased mobile phone in his hand. The screen was lighting up repeatedly, vibrating against his palm.

"We have a situation, Mrs. Marchetti," Enzo said, his face grave. "Your friend, Hannah Alessio. She has called eighteen times today. She has also sent several texts threatening to go to the police about your mother's empty house."

Vittoria stood up immediately, the book sliding to the floor. "Hannah. Oh, no. I forgot about her. She was there when we went to the club. She knows I was with you."

"She knows you went into the VIP corridor," Cassian's voice intervened as he entered the room behind Enzo. He took the phone from Enzo's hand, looking at the flashing screen. "She does not know what happened after. But we cannot have her involving the authorities. It creates unnecessary noise that I do not care to deal with."

"I need to call her," Vittoria said, reaching for the phone. "I can explain. I can tell her something to make her stop. She is my best friend, Cassian. She is just worried about me."

"You will call her," Cassian agreed, but he did not hand the phone over. He stepped closer, his imposing frame casting a shadow over her. "But Enzo has installed a monitoring program on this device. We will hear every word of the conversation. If you say anything that compromises this house, I will end the call immediately."

"And what happens then?" Vittoria asked, her heart freezing at the cold threat in his eyes. "You will hurt her?"

"It means she will disappear from this city, Vittoria," Cassian said, his tone flat and uncompromising. "I protect what is mine. I do not tolerate loose ends. Do you understand?"

"I understand," Vittoria whispered, her throat dry. "I will not say anything. I promise. Just let me speak to her."

Cassian handed her the phone. "Make it quick. Make it believable."

Vittoria dialed the number, her hand shaking so much she almost dropped the device. Hannah answered on the first ring, her voice filled with panic.

"Vittoria!" Hannah screamed, her voice echoing in the quiet library. "Where the hell are you? I went to your house this morning, and your mom's car was gone. The front door was unlocked, and the neighbors said they saw black SUVs last night. I am outside the police station right now!"

"Hannah, wait!" Vittoria cried, her voice urgent. "Do not go inside. Please, listen to me."

"What is going on, Vittoria?" Hannah asked, her tone shifting from anger to pure fear. "Are you okay? Is your mom okay?"

"We are both completely fine," Vittoria said, forcing a nervous laugh that sounded incredibly hollow. She felt Cassian step behind her, his large hands settling on her waist, pulling her back against his solid chest. "I am so sorry I didn't text you. Everything happened so fast."

"What happened fast?"

"My mom and I... we had to move," Vittoria lied, her eyes locked on Enzo, who stood by the door, watching her with a calm, professional expression. "Her old job... some things came up, and we had to relocate to the western district. It was a sudden decision."

"And the black SUVs?" Hannah asked, highly suspicious. "The neighbors said men in suits were carrying bags out of the house."

"Those were professional movers," Vittoria said, gasping slightly as Cassian's hands slid up under her knit sweater, his warm fingers tracing the sensitive skin of her ribs. "We... we hired a private security firm to help with the transition. You know how paranoid my mother is."

"Vittoria, you sound weird," Hannah noted. "Are you sure you are okay? You sound like you are breathless."

"I am just... carrying some boxes," Vittoria stammered, her heart hammering as Cassian leaned down, his lips brushing the sensitive skin of her neck, his teeth gently nipping at her collarbone. "And... remember the owner of the club? Cassian?"

"The scary guy from the balcony?" Hannah gasped. "What about him?"

"We are... we are together, Hannah," Vittoria said, her voice cracking as Cassian's hand slid higher, his thumb brushing the underside of her breast. "He took me away for a sudden romantic trip. It is why I have been away from my phone. I am happy. Truly."

"Are you serious?" Hannah asked, her voice filled with utter disbelief. "You ran off with a billionaire guy? Vittoria, this is like something out of a crazy movie."

"It is sudden, I know," Vittoria said, closing her eyes as she fought the electric waves of pleasure his touch was creating. "But I wanted to live a little. You were the one who told me to stop hiding in my room, right?"

"Well, yeah, but I meant going to a party, not running away with some billionaire guy!" Hannah laughed, her panic finally fading. "Are you really safe?"

"I have never been safer," Vittoria whispered, looking into Cassian's dark, triumphant eyes. "I will call you in a few days when we are settled. I love you, Hannah."

"Love you too, crazy girl. Do not forget to tell me all the details!"

Vittoria ended the call, her body practically melting back against Cassian's hard frame.

"A romantic trip, sweet girl?" Cassian whispered, his voice a low, teasing growl in her ear. "I highly approve of your imagination."

He turned her around in his arms, his dark eyes filled with a dangerous, playful heat. Vittoria stared up at him, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she realized that the lie she had told Hannah was starting to feel dangerously close to the truth. She was trapped in his world, but as his mouth descended on hers, she knew she no longer wanted to run.