Chapter 121
Chapter 121: Confessions
"What the hell, Alessandro?" Jacqueline demanded, "You locked me in here? Took my phone?"
Alessandro let out a deep sigh, knowing he was going to have to tread very carefully. He took a few slow steps toward her, hands open, trying to convey he didn't mean any harm. "Jacqueline," he began softly, "I didn't want to force you to stay here. It's just-"
"Oh, but you did!" She cut in, her voice cutting. "You took my phone and made sure no one would let me out of this room. Alessandro, I'm not some… possession you can just lock away!"
Alessandro flinched. "I know that, Jacqueline. I don't think of you like that, I swear." He took a deep breath, his face taut. "You gotta understand, things have changed. My father is gone, and with that. so many doors have opened. Rivals, enemies, they will all come after me, and if they learn of you.
Jacqueline's face softened further. "And you think locking me away is going to keep me safe? Sandro, I cannot live like that.”
"I don't expect you to," he said, his voice firming. "But I don't know what I would do if I lost you. Do you hear me? You're too important, Jacqueline. If anything happened to you because of the life I was born into-" He broke off; frustration worked its way visibly in his jaw. "I wouldn't survive it."
Jacqueline searched his features for how sincere this was. For a moment, the air between them became heavy with the unsaid. She took a tentative step closer to him, her voice faltering and low. "You think you're protecting me, but all I feel is trapped, Alessandro."
He ran a hand through his hair, releasing a wearied sigh. "I understand that. Believe me, I do. But things have become dangerous. Now that I've taken control of my father's empire, it's like the whole underworld is just waiting for me to slip up. And they'll use anyone, anything to get to me. They would use you, Jacqueline."
She shook her head, refusing to let the anger go "And your solution is to take away my freedom? Alessandro, I'm not weak. I don't need to be hidden away in a room like some fragile thing. I can protect myself.
A sad smile pulled at the corner of his lips. "I don't doubt your strength. But this is my fight. I can't expect you to bear the weight of it."
Jacqueline took a step closer, her gaze even and unwavering. "But maybe I want to. Maybe I'm willing to fight with you, Alessandro. Did you ever think of that?
"This world, Jacqueline," he started, being very cautious with how he chose his words, "isn't one you should be a part of. I wanted to keep you out of it, to keep you safe from the people who would do anything to hurt me, even if it means going through you."
"And locking me in a room was the best thing you could come up with?" she ground out, the bitter lacing of her voice unmistakable. "If you wanted to keep me here, all you needed to do was ask. I'm not some game piece, Alessandro. I am entitled to a choice.".
With her words, his jaw clenched, and he fought for control. "You're right," he said finally, his voice low. "I did this wrong. I should've told you. But listen: since my father died, my position in the mafia puts a target on my every move. There are those waiting, watching. I'm not afforded the luxury of weakness, and allowing you to walk out there, not having a clue, will make me weak. I won't let that happen.
At this, Jacqueline's face softened, "I don't want to live my life as a prisoner, Alessandro. I came to you because I trusted you. But this. this feels like you don't trust me."
Alessandro's face had fallen. "I do trust you," he said with depth of emotion. "It's everyone else I don't trust. You don't know how far people will go in this world, the ways they will try just to see me fall. You're a weakness to them. A way to get to me."
They stood there, a foot apart, staring at each other as the reality of their situation settled over them. She took a deep breath, letting her hands drop to her sides. "I understand, Alessandro. I understand why you did it, even if I don't agree with it. But this… this isn't the way to protect me. If we're going to be together in this, we need honesty. Respect."
He leaned forward, framing her face with his hands, his thumb gently stroking along her cheek. "You're right," he whispered, his voice tinged with regret. "I don't want to lose you, Jacqueline. I'm not going to lose you. But at the same time, I don't want to control you either. I'll be better. I promise.
She softened further, her anger ebbing away. "I'm here, Alessandro. I chose to be. But if this is going to work, you have to trust that I can handle myself."
Alessandro gave a small laugh then, some of the pent-up tension easing out of him. "I should have known you wouldn't go down without a fight," he teased, trying to lighten the mood.
She snorted loudly, raising an eyebrow. "And you should know that locking me up won't stop me. Next time, I'll find a way out. Believe me."
He chuckled, resting his forehead very gently against hers. "I believe you," he told her quietly as relief continued to swamp him. "But promise me, Jacqueline, to be careful. I don't want to lose you-not now, not ever.
Jacqueline's face gentled, her hand reaching for his. "Then let's face this together. Don't keep me in the dark. If I'm in danger, I'd rather know than be shielded from it."
Alessandro nodded, holding her tight, as though afraid that if he let go, she'd slip away. "I'll try, Jacqueline. I can't promise I'll be perfect, but I'll try."
She looked up at him, her expression resolute. "That's all I'm asking for.
They stood there in silence for a moment, the weight of it all that had passed between them. Slowly, he pulled her into a gentle embrace, wrapping his arms around her, his hand running through her hair as he held her close.
I need you, Jacqueline," he whispered, raw honesty in his voice. "In a world where I have to question everyone's loyalty, I need you to be the one person I can count on."
She looked up at him, her eyes unyielding. "Then don't push me away. Let me be that for you.
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