Chapter 5 - The Snake in the Grass
As the days turned into weeks, the icy tension between Bella and Leo began to thaw. They found themselves crossing paths more frequently—sometimes in the library, where Bella loved to read, and sometimes in the gardens, where she helped Francesca tend to the roses. Leo found himself drawn to her infectious laughter and her unyielding moral compass. She was the only person in his life who didn't want something from him.
However, the peace of the estate was shattered during a high-profile dinner party. Francesca had insisted on hosting a gathering for the city’s elite, including several allied families, to show that the Moretti family remained strong and unified.
Bella wore a stunning, emerald-green silk gown that complemented her dark hair and warm eyes. As she stood beside Francesca in the grand ballroom, she noticed Leo across the room, talking to a slick, older man with a gold tooth—Don Silvio of the Leone family’s subordinate faction.
"Ah, the lovely little savior," a voice purred behind Bella.
She turned to find a young man with a cruel smile and expensive, flashy jewelry. It was Santino, Don Silvio's son. He stepped too close into her personal space, his eyes scanning her indecently. "You look beautiful tonight, darling. A bit too clean for a place like this. Why don't you come with me to the balcony? Let’s talk about what the Morettis are paying you."
"I’m not interested," Bella said firmly, trying to step away.
Santino grabbed her wrist, his grip surprisingly tight and painful. "Don't play hard to get, sweetie. You're just a peasant who got lucky. You don't belong here."
"Let her go."
The voice was low, vibrating with a lethal, terrifying rage. Santino froze as Leo appeared out of the crowd. Leo didn't yell; he simply stepped between Santino and Bella, his hand clamping down on Santino’s wrist with enough force to make the younger man drop to his knees with a gasp of pain.
"Moretti! It was just a joke!" Santino whined, his face turning pale.
"If you ever touch her, look at her, or breathe the same air as her again, Santino, I will feed you to the crabs in the harbor," Leo whispered, his face inches from Santino's. "Now get out of my house before I lose my patience."
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As Santino scrambled away, Leo turned to Bella, his anger instantly melting into profound concern. He took her hands in his, checking her wrists for bruises. "Are you hurt? Did he touch you anywhere else?"
Bella looked up into his gray eyes, her heart racing—not from fear of Santino, but from the sudden, overwhelming realization of how deeply Leo cared for her safety. "I'm fine, Leo. Thank you."
