Dangerous Promises

Alessia stood frozen for a moment, Damian’s last words ringing in her ears.

"Then I’ll make sure you do."

The sheer arrogance of it made her blood boil. He might be used to people following his orders, but she wasn’t one of them.

"That sounds like a threat," she said, narrowing her eyes.

Damian tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "It’s a promise."

She hated the way her heart pounded at his words, the way the air between them thickened with something unspoken.

This man was dangerous. And not just in the obvious ways.

Alessia exhaled sharply, breaking the spell. "You don’t control me, Damian."

His lips curled into a smirk, one that sent both irritation and something far more dangerous rolling through her. "No," he murmured, stepping even closer, "but if you’re smart, you’ll listen to me."

She should step back. She should push him away.

But she didn’t.

Instead, she met his gaze head-on, refusing to be the first to look away. If he thought he could intimidate her, he was mistaken.

Finally, Damian let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head as if she amused him.

"Fine," he said. "Do whatever you want, princess. But don’t come crying to me when you find yourself in over your head."

Before she could respond, he turned, disappearing into the shadows as effortlessly as he had appeared.

Alessia clenched her jaw, frustration simmering beneath her skin.

Damian Valenciaga was the most infuriating man she had ever met.

And yet…

She let out a slow breath, trying to steady herself. She couldn’t afford to be distracted. Her brother was still missing, and she wasn’t about to sit around waiting for Damian to solve everything.

With renewed determination, she turned and made her way back to her car.

The next morning, Alessia barely had time to process what had happened at the docks before a knock sounded at her apartment door.

She frowned, heart skipping a beat. No one ever came to her place unannounced.

Cautiously, she approached the door, peering through the peephole.

Her breath caught.

Damian.

Her stomach twisted. She hesitated for only a second before unlocking the door and pulling it open.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded.

Damian leaned against the doorframe, looking effortlessly composed despite the early hour. "You don’t listen. So I figured I’d make sure you don’t do anything stupid."

She scowled. "I don’t need a babysitter."

He smirked. "That’s debatable."

Alessia exhaled sharply. This man was going to drive her insane.

"How did you even find out where I live?" she sked.

Damian’s smirk didn’t waver. "I have my ways."

She folded her arms. "That’s not creepy at all."

He chuckled. "Consider it necessary. Someone has to keep an eye on you."

Alessia’s stomach twisted again, but she ignored it.

"If you think I’m going to stop looking for Marco just because you told me to, you’re wasting your time," she said firmly.

Damian’s amusement faded slightly. "I don’t expect you to stop."

That caught her off guard. "Then why are you here?"

His gaze darkened. "Because whether you like it or not, I don’t trust anyone else to keep you safe."