The Mafia's Rose

A Shadow Falls

Illyana’s POV

"Got any big plans tonight, Illy?" Sofia asked, leaning against the nurses' station with a sigh. The exhaustion of another Friday afternoon shift hung heavy in the air, but Sofia, as always, seemed energised by the chaos.

I glanced at her, momentarily caught off guard. "Plans?" I echoed, trying to sound nonchalant as I tidied a tray of medical supplies that didn't need tidying.

A knowing smirk played on Sofia's lips. "You know, dinner with George Clooney, drinks with the Pope, the usual Friday night shenanigans."

I couldn't help but laugh, the tension easing from my shoulders. "Right, because those are in my weekly planner." The truth was, my Friday nights usually involved takeout, bad TV, and maybe a glass of wine if I was feeling adventurous.

"Well, you're off the hook for Clooney and the Pope," Sofia said, her eyes twinkling. "But some of us are meeting up for drinks at that new bar downtown, 'La Luna.' Heard the cocktails are lethal, and the crowd is even more so."

My pulse quickened. A night out with Sofia and her friends? It sounded… terrifyingly appealing. Since moving to Rome, I'd kept to myself, hesitant to put down roots, to let anyone get too close. But the isolation was starting to wear on me, a dull ache in the pit of my stomach.

"I'd love to," I said, surprising even myself with the eagerness in my voice.

Sofia grinned, her smile infectious. "Excellent! Consider it a crash course in Roman nightlife. Be ready by ten. And wear something that makes you feel invincible."

---

Standing in front of my mirror, I barely recognised myself. Gone was the practical nurse in scrubs, replaced by a vision in a slinky black dress and heels that made my legs look miles long. My reflection winked back at me, a mischievous glint in her emerald eyes. It had been a long time since I'd felt this… free. This bold. This me.

A wave of gratitude washed over me. Thank you, Sofia, I thought, grabbing my purse and heading out the door.

La Luna was buzzing, a vibrant mix of laughter, pulsating music, and the clinking of glasses. Sofia, a natural in any crowd, introduced me to her friends, a lively group of artists, musicians, and fellow night owls. The drinks were indeed lethal, a delicious concoction of fruity flavours and enough alcohol to melt away the last vestiges of my apprehension.

I was laughing at something Sofia's friend Lorenzo had said when I felt a presence at my side. I turned, and my breath hitched. A tall handsome man was stood next to me, but his smile… His smile reminded me of what I was running from.

"You're beautiful," he purred, his voice a low rumble in my ear.

I took a step back, my pulse quickening. "Excuse me… I don't think we've met," I stammered, my heart thumping painfully in my chest.

He chuckled. "Give me time, bella. Give me time."

Before I could respond, Sofia materialised at my side, her eyes narrowed playfully. "Everything alright, Illy?" she asked, her gaze darting between me and the stranger.

"Just admiring the view," he said, his gaze lingering on me for a beat too long.

I felt my cheeks flush, and I shot Sofia a pleading look. She just laughed, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Come on, foxy," she said, looping her arm through mine and steering me towards the dance floor. "Let’s go dance."

The panic faded as we danced for what felt like hours, losing ourselves in the music and the intoxicating energy of the crowd. As the night wore on, the idea of another club, one with a stricter door policy and an even more exclusive clientele, was floated. We were walking towards it, the queue snaking down the block, when Sofia grabbed my arm, her eyes wide.

"Holy mother of Valentino," she breathed, her voice a mix of awe and amusement. "Speak of the devil…"

The air outside the second club was thick with anticipation, the low rumble of bass echoing from within, promising a night of unrestrained revelry. But as I followed Sofia's gaze, my breath caught in my throat, a chill snaking down my spine despite the warmth of the Roman night.

A sleek black car, all tinted windows and gleaming chrome, had pulled up to the curb. The driver, a man built like a linebacker, hopped out and opened the rear door. And then, Alessandro emerged.

He was a vision in a tailored suit, his dark hair slicked back, his jaw shadowed with stubble. But it was his eyes that drew me in, those piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through me, their intensity amplified by the shadows of the city night. He moved with a confidence that bordered on arrogance, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, a predator surveying his domain. The bouncers at the club's entrance, two mountains of muscle who looked like they could bench-press small cars, snapped to attention, their faces a mixture of respect and apprehension. Alessandro didn't even break stride, his hand lifting in a curt gesture that spoke of power and dominance. The bouncers practically tripped over themselves to usher him through the velvet ropes, holding the entrance open with deferential bows. The display of pure masculine dominance made my tipsy heart flutter in approval. I felt a flash of heat slither down my body, imagining he was striding towards me like that as I lay on his bed waiting for him...

"Well, well, well," Sofia murmured, abruptly bringing my thoughts of out the gutter. "Looks like your brooding knight in shining armour cleans up nicely."

I ignored her, mouth dry as my gaze fixed on Alessandro disappearing into the club, my pulse quickening with a mixture of anticipation and excitement. What was he doing here? And why did the sight of him, so powerful, so completely out of my league, send a shiver of something so primal and so utterly wrong down my spine?

"Alessandro!" Sofia shouted, her voice, fuelled by several cocktails, carrying over the pulsating beat of the music inside. I winced, shooting her a look that could curdle milk, but it was too late.

Alessandro paused, his head turning, his gaze sweeping over the crowd until it landed on us. For a heartbeat, our eyes met across the distance, and the world seemed to tilt on its axis. The crowd, the music, the city lights – it all faded away, leaving only the two of us, our gazes locked in a silent battle of wills.

Then, as if breaking free of a spell, he started walking towards us, his expression unreadable. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic tattoo against my breastbone. I wanted to melt into the pavement, to disappear into the anonymity of the crowd, but also run and jump into his arms at the same time. Feel his thick arms wrap around me.

He nodded at Sofia and then turned to me. "Illyana," he greeted, his low voice sending shivers down my spine. His gaze shifted from my eyes down my body, and I felt my cheeks flush under his scrutiny.

"Fancy meeting you here," Sofia chimed in, her voice a touch too loud, her words slightly slurred. "Didn't know you were a fan of...clubs."

"I'm not," he replied, his gaze never leaving me. "But it seems fate has a way of intervening."

He took a step closer, and the air crackled between us. I could smell his cologne, a heady mix of something dark and spicy that sent my senses into overdrive. He was so close I could see the flecks of gold in his blue eyes, the way his jaw tensed as his gaze swept over me, taking in every detail of my appearance.

"Want to join me?" he asked, his voice barely a murmur, his hand outstretched towards me.

I stared at his hand, my mind a jumble of conflicting emotions. Part of me, the sensible, cautious part, screamed at me to turn and run. But the other part, a part which apparently was aching to come out tonight, wanted to reach out and take his hand, to see where this unexpected encounter might lead.

Before I could respond, Sofia looped her arm through Alessandro’s free arm, her grin mischievous. "Come on, you two lovebirds," she said, her words slightly slurred. "Let's ditch this queue and get this party started."

And with that, she practically dragged us both through the VIP entrance, leaving the envious stares of the waiting crowd in our wake.