The car was silent as Nico drove through the dimly lit streets of Milan. Caterina sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed tightly over her chest. She stared out of the window, her jaw clenched. Every part of her told her not to trust this man, but deep down, she knew she had no other choice.

The tension between them was heavy, like a thunder waiting to explode. She couldn't stand the silence anymore.

"So," she said, turning to look at him. "Where are you taking me?"

Nico kept his eyes on the road. "Somewhere safe."

"That's not an answer," she snapped.

He glanced at her, a small smirk forming on his lips. "You are not really in a position to demand answers, Caterina."

Her fingers curled into fists, but she held back her anger. She hated feeling powerless and sitting in Nico Romano's carvunder his control was exactly that. But she also wasn't foolish enough to fight him when she had no advantage.

"You think you are saving me," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "But I know men like you. You never do anything without a reason."

Nico let out a low chuckle. "You are not wrong. I do not work for free. But in this case, keeping you alive benefits me too."

"Why?" she asked, curiosity creeping into her voice.

He didn't answer right away. She could see him thinking, deciding how much to tell her.

"Let's just say," he finally spoke, "the people who want you dead are my enemies too. And I am not going to let them win."

Caterina raised an eyebrow. "So, I am just a victim in your little game?"

Nico smirk deepened, but there was no humor in it. "Everyone is a victim, Caterina. The key is knowing how to play the board."

She hated how calm he was, how in control. It was frustrating. But arguing wouldn't get her anywhere, so she stayed quiet.

The car pulled into an underground parking garage beneath an expensive building. Nico stepped out without saying a word, leaving her to follow.

"Where are we?" she asked as she climbed out. Her voice echoed in the empty space.

"My penthouse," he said, walking toward the elevator.

She stopped in her tracks. "Wait, you are taking me to your home?"

Nico turned to her, his face faint. "It is the safest place in the city. No one will dare come for you here."

She narrowed her eyes. "Trust you? That is funny."

Ignoring her sarcasm, he stepped into the elevator and held the door open. With a sigh, she followed him inside.

As the elevator moved up, a strange feeling settled in her chest. This was Nico Romano someone she had spent years fighting against, someone whose empire was built on power and fear. And now, she was walking into his home, relying on him to keep her safe.

The doors opened to a massive living space that screamed wealth. Expensive furniture, modern artwork, and floor-to-ceiling windows that showed the glowing city lights.

"Make yourself at home," Nico said, shrugging off his jacket and tossing it onto a chair.

Caterina stayed near the elevator, unsure what to do. "This feels like a trap," she muttered.

Nico turned to her, his expression slightly softer. "If it were a trap, you would already be dead."

A chill ran down her spine, but she refused to let it show. She crossed her arms and lifted her chin. "What now?"

"Now," he said, walking to the bar in the corner, "you are going to tell me everything you know about the people who are after you."

Caterina hesitated. She didn't trust him, but keeping secrets from Nico Romano was dangerous.

She took a deep breath. "Fine. But first, I need to know something."

Nico raised an eyebrow as he poured himself a glass of whiskey. "What is that?"

"Why do you care?" she asked. "Why not let them kill me and stay out of it?"

He took a sip, watching her over the rim of the glass. For a moment, she thought he might not answer.

"Because," he finally said, "if they get to you, they will think they can take me down next. And I can't let that happen."

His honesty caught her off guard. She had expected manipulation, a clever lie. But this-this was brutally simple.

"So, this is about pride?" Caterina asked, raising an eyebrow.

"If you don't fight, you die."
Nico corrected her. "you by me or by them." not him.

She let his words sink in. She still did not trust him, but for now, they wanted the same thing. And as much as she hated to admit it, she needed his protection.

"Alright," she said finally, her voice firm. "I will tell you what I know. But I am not doing this for you I am doing it for me."

Nico smirked, clearly amused by her attitude. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

~~~

For the next hour, Caterina told him everything. She explained her investigation, the evidence she had found and the powerful families that wanted her dead. Nico listened carefully, his face dry as he took it all in.

When she was done, he leaned back in his chair, his fingers pressed together in thought. "You have made a lot of enemies, Caterina."

"I noticed," she replied dryly.

The corner of his mouth twitched, almost like a smile. "But you have also uncovered some very valuable information. Information that could be useful to me."

Her eyes narrowed. "And what happens when you do not need me anymore?"

He leaned forward, his gaze locking onto hers. "Then you had better hope you have proven yourself useful enough to keep around."

It was not exactly comforting, but it was the best she was going to get.

"What about the evidence?" she asked. "It is hidden, but if they find it..."

"They will not," Nico said confidently. "Not if you are smart about it."

Caterina hesitated. She did not want to involve him more than she already had, but she also knew she could not handle this alone.

"Fine," she said, her voice tight. "I will show you where it is. But only if you promise to help me use it against them."

Nico's smile was slow, calculated. "You have my word."

She did not trust him, but for now, they were in this together. And as much as she hated to admit it, she needed him more than he needed her.

~~~

As the night passed, Caterina found herself alone in the guest room Nico had given her. The room was just as fancy as the rest of the penthouse, but she could not shake the feeling of being trapped.

She paced back and forth, her mind racing. She did not like relying on Nico Romano, but she had no choice. If she wanted to stay alive, she needed his help.

But life always came at a price and she was not sure she was ready to pay it.

She sat on the edge of the bed, resting her head in her hands. She had spent years fighting against men like Nico, and now she was working with one. The irony was almost laughable.

As much as she hated him, there was something about Nico that caught her attention. He was dangerous, but he was also smart and controlled. He was not like the usual violent thugs she had dealt with.

And that made him even more dangerous.

For now, all she could do was play along and hope she could find a way out before it was too late.

But deep down, she knew that getting involved with Nico Romano was a risk she might not survive.