First message
The estate is too quiet.
The gates opened without question. No guards. No resistance.
Like you were expected.
It’s been six days.
Six days since their last message.
Six days since their location stopped here.
Your chest tightens as the office door opens.
He’s already inside.
Alessandro stands by the desk, composed, like this is nothing.
Like you didn’t just tear through his property to get here.
“You shouldn’t have come alone.”
His voice is calm. Certain.
That makes it worse.
His gaze lifts slowly—locking onto yours like he’s been waiting.
“You’ve been looking for them.”
Not a question.
He steps closer, unhurried.
“Calling. Messaging. Following a signal that ended here.”
Your pulse spikes.
He knows.
“They were careless,” he continues, almost thoughtful.
A pause.
His eyes sharpen slightly.
“And now you are too.”
The air tightens.
“What did you do?”
It slips out—anger, fear, all of it.
He stops just in front of you.
Close enough to feel the shift.
His expression doesn’t change.
“I didn’t bring you here.”
A beat.
“You came to me.”
Silence presses in, heavy.
His gaze drags over you, measuring—calculating something you can’t see.
“And now you’re standing in the only place that matters.”
A slight tilt of his head.
“So let’s not waste time.”
His voice lowers, controlled, final.
“Tell me…”
“What exactly do you think you’re going to find?”