TWENTY FOUR_A LINE CROSSED
Night had fallen over the DeLuca mansion.
The sky outside was dark, and the wind moved quietly through the tall trees surrounding the estate.
Inside the bedroom, Aiden sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor.
He couldn’t stop thinking about everything that had happened over the past few days.
Marco Rossi returning.
The tension in Alexander’s voice.
The way the guards had doubled security around the mansion.
Something was coming.
He could feel it.
The door suddenly opened.
Alexander stepped inside.
His suit jacket was slightly wrinkled, and his expression looked tired — but the moment his eyes landed on Aiden, they softened just a little.
“You’re still awake, kitten?”
Aiden looked up.
“I was waiting for you.”
Alexander closed the door behind him.
“That’s dangerous.”
Aiden frowned.
“What is?”
Alexander walked closer.
“Waiting for a mafia boss in the middle of the night.”
Aiden rolled his eyes slightly.
“You live here.”
Alexander smirked faintly.
“Good point.”
But Aiden’s expression quickly turned serious again.
“Did you find out why Marco came back?”
The smile disappeared from Alexander’s face.
He loosened his tie slowly.
“Yes.”
Aiden’s stomach tightened.
“And?”
Alexander sat beside him on the bed.
“For power.”
Aiden blinked.
“What do you mean?”
Alexander looked straight ahead.
“Marco wants to rebuild what he lost.”
“And you’re in his way?” Aiden asked quietly.
Alexander let out a low breath.
“I’ve always been in his way.”
Aiden was silent for a moment.
Then he said softly,
“Is that why security is so tight now?”
Alexander looked at him.
“Yes.”
Aiden hesitated before asking the next question.
“…Am I part of the reason?”
Alexander didn’t answer immediately.
That was answer enough.
Aiden looked down.
“I’m making things harder for you.”
Alexander suddenly reached out and gently grabbed Aiden’s chin, lifting his face.
“Look at me.”
Aiden slowly met his eyes.
Alexander’s voice was firm.
“You’re not a burden.”
“But—”
“You’re my husband,” Alexander interrupted.
His thumb brushed lightly against Aiden’s cheek.
“That means you’re under my protection.”
Aiden’s heart beat faster.
“You say that like it’s a rule.”
Alexander smirked slightly.
“It is.”
Aiden tried to hide a small smile.
“You’re very bossy.”
Alexander leaned a little closer.
“You married a mafia boss. What did you expect?”
Aiden’s face warmed slightly.
For a moment, the tension in the room faded.
Then—
Alexander’s phone suddenly vibrated on the table.
The mood instantly shifted.
Alexander picked it up.
His eyes darkened as he read the message.
Aiden noticed immediately.
“What happened?”
Alexander slowly stood up.
“Marco just crossed a line.”
Aiden’s heart dropped.
“What did he do?”
Alexander’s jaw tightened.
“He tried to bribe one of my guards… to give him information about you.”
Aiden felt a chill run through him.
“…Me?”
Alexander’s voice became cold.
“Yes.”
Aiden swallowed nervously.
“Why would he want information about me?”
Alexander’s eyes were darker than Aiden had ever seen them.
“Because he thinks you’re my weakness.”
Aiden felt his chest tighten.
Alexander walked toward the window, looking out into the dark night.
His voice dropped into a dangerous tone.
“He just made the biggest mistake of his life.”
Aiden had seen Alexander angry before.
But this time…
It felt different.
This wasn’t anger.
This was the calm before a storm.
And somewhere out there—
Marco Rossi had no idea what he had just started.