Illyana’s POV
The silence after my confession stretched, thick and heavy, broken only by the crackling fire and the distant pulse of music from the club. Alessandro's gaze was intense, his expression unreadable. The silence itself was more unnerving than any outburst of anger.
"I won’t let him hurt you," he broke the silence. There was a steely undercurrent to his words, a promise of protection that, despite my reservations, sparked a flicker of hope.
"I have a place outside the city," he continued, his eyes holding mine. "A villa. Secure. No one will find you there."
He laid out his plan, his words precise, his tone brooking no argument. High walls, security cameras, men who would watch over me – a silent shield against the encroaching darkness.
"You'll be safe there, Illyana," he sa
