~ALEXANDRO’S POV~

I chuckled, dragging a hand through my hair as I tossed my phone onto the desk.

Stubborn little thing.

She was learning—fast. I thought the press would crush her, thought she’d cave under the weight of the headlines. But no, she held her ground. A little shaken, maybe, but not broken.

I underestimated her.

A mistake I wouldn’t make again.

“I can’t decide if you’re still just playing with her or if you’re starting to believe your bullshit.”

Mario’s voice dragged me out of my thoughts. He was sprawled across my couch, a glass of scotch in one hand, a cigar in the other. Casually watching. Always watching....