The night was still young, but the tension in the ballroom had reached its peak. Whispers filled the air—Sara Isabella Aiello was back. Not just as a presence, but as a force. A woman who had vanished in silence and returned with a roar.

Alessandro still hadn’t moved.

His grip on his whiskey glass was tight, his knuckles whitening as he watched the scene unfold before him.

Sara sat elegantly, legs crossed, her emerald gaze sharp as she conversed with men who once wouldn’t dare meet her eyes. Now? They hung on her every word. Her power was undeniable. But it wasn’t just her.

It was the man beside her.

Luca Romano.

Sara leaned slightly into him as he whispered something in her ear, her lips twitching into an amused smirk.

They were untouchable together.

And Alessandro hated it.

But what he hated more?

The little girl sitting beside them, swinging her legs, watching him with a smirk that felt far too familiar.

Athena.

She had spoken to him only once, but the weight of her words still sat heavy on his chest.

Dad, do we know him?

Luca.

She called Luca dad.

It wasn’t just a name—it was a claim, a reminder that he had no place in their world.

Alessandro exhaled sharply, his mask slipping for only a second before Sara’s voice snapped him back to reality.

Something on your mind, DeLuca?”

She was watching him now, head tilted, amusement dancing in her expression.

Alessandro smirked, masking the storm inside him. “Nothing that concerns you.”

Athena snorted, sipping on her juice. “You look kinda mad.”

Alessandro’s eyes snapped to her. “Excuse me?”

Athena blinked, completely unfazed. “You just look like someone stole your favorite toy.”

Luca chuckled, resting his chin on his hand as he watched Alessandro struggle to respond. “She’s observant, isn’t she?”

Sara leaned in, her voice low and taunting. “Takes after her father.”

Alessandro’s jaw ticked.

Sara’s laugh was the final blow. “Relax, Alessandro. You’re acting like you lost something.”

His gaze darkened. “Did I?”

Sara smirked, standing gracefully. “I wouldn’t dwell on the past. It’s wasted energy.”

Luca rose beside her, offering his hand, which Sara took without hesitation.

The music shifted—a slow, sensual melody.

Luca smirked. “Shall we?”

Sara tilted her head in amusement. “Lead the way.”

And just like that, they stepped onto the dance floor, all eyes turning to them.

The room watched in silence.

Because when Luca Romano and Sara Aiello moved together, it wasn’t just a dance. It was a declaration.Luca’s hand rested low on her waist, fingers pressing into silk as he pulled her close. Too close.

Sara smirked, unbothered, her hands sliding up his chest before resting on his shoulders. “You’re enjoying this.”

“Of course I am,” Luca murmured, his voice thick with amusement. “I get to rub it in his face.”

Sara chuckled, letting Luca guide her effortlessly across the floor. “You’re insufferable.”

“And you love it.”

She did.

She really did.

The air around them was heavy with tension, the heat of their chemistry undeniable. Every step, every turn, was laced with power.

Alessandro was still watching.

He hadn’t looked away once.

And when Luca dipped Sara low, his lips brushing her exposed throat, Alessandro’s grip on his glass shattered.

The sound echoed through the ballroom.

A few heads turned, whispers stirring, but Luca? He just smirked.

Slowly, he lifted Sara back up, holding her close as his eyes flickered to Alessandro.

Oops,” Luca drawled, amusement in his voice. “Did I push too far?”Sara chuckled, her fingers trailing lazily over Luca’s chest before she turned back to Alessandro.

“Careful, DeLuca. You’re making a mess.”

Alessandro clenched his jaw. “Watch yourself, Romano.”

Luca’s smirk dropped, and in a flash, the Mafia Boss in him surfaced.

Cold. Ruthless.

“You think I’m afraid of you?” Luca’s voice was low, deadly. “You think I don’t know exactly how to break you?”

The room stilled.

Sara smirked, stepping between them, placing a hand on Luca’s chest. “Now, now. We wouldn’t want to ruin the evening.”

Alessandro exhaled harshly, his patience slipping. “You act like you’ve already won.”Sara’s laughter was slow and mocking. “That’s because I have.”

She turned to walk away, but Alessandro wasn’t finished.

“You forget who you’re dealing with, Sara.”

She stopped. Slowly, she turned back to him, her green eyes sharp as ice.

“No, Alessandro.” She took a step closer, her presence suffocating. “You forget who I am.”

Silence.

She tilted her head, her voice turning deadly. “I am not the woman you once betrayed. I am not the girl you toyed with.”

She took another step.

“I am La Donna.”Alessandro’s expression hardened.

Sara’s smirk widened.

She leaned in, voice just above a whisper. “And if you ever forget that again, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

The weight of her words sank in.

She wasn’t threatening him.

She was promising.

Sara turned on her heel, heading back to Luca, who was watching with pride.

She took his hand, allowing him to lead her away, their power undeniable.

Alessandro stood frozen, his world shifting beneath him.

Because for the first time in his life—

He wasn’t the most powerful one in the room.