The night dragged on slowly, the air inside Nico penthouse thick with tension. Caterina stood by the huge floor to-ceiling window, looking out at the city lights. Her reflection in the glass looked tired, nothing like the strong, independent woman she always saw herself as.

Behind her, Nico poured himself a glass of whiskey, the soft clink of ice breaking the heavy silence. He seemed perfectly calm, as if the chaos at the bank earlier that day had barely affected him.

“You should sit down,” Nico said, his voice cutting through the quiet.

“I’m fine,” Caterina shot back, not bothering to turn around.

“You’re not fine,” he replied, sounding annoyingly sure of himself. “You have been pacing for the last hour.”

She let out a sigh and finally turned to face him. “What do you expect, Nico? Two men tried to kill us today. I have a target on my back because of that evidence and now I am stuck here with you.”

Nico raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by her frustration. “You are alive, aren’t you? That is more than you would be if you were on your own.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Do not act like you are some kind of hero. You are only helping me because it benefits you.”

“Of course,” he admitted, taking a slow sip of his drink. “But that does not change the fact that you need me.”

Caterina crossed her arms, annoyed by how much truth was in his words. She could not deny that Nico had saved her life more than once now. But trusting him? That was a whole different story.

“What is your plan?” she asked at last, her voice calmer.

Nico set his glass down and leaned against the counter, his sharp blue eyes locking onto hers. “First, we need to find out who is after you and why. The evidence is important, but it is only part of the bigger picture.”

“And how do you plan to do that?”

“I have contacts,” he said simply. “People who owe me favors. I will make some calls, see what I can find out.”

Caterina frowned. “And in the meantime?”

“In the meantime,” Nico said firmly, “you stay here. You do not leave this penthouse unless I say so. It is the only way I can keep you safe.”

Her jaw tightened. “You cannot just lock me up like a prisoner.”

“It is not a prison,” he said with a slight smirk. “Think of it as… protective custody.”

“Protective custody,” she repeated, her voice full of sarcasm. “How kind of you.”

Nico shrugged. “Call it whatever you want, but if you want to stay alive, you will follow my rules.”

Caterina wanted to argue, but she knew it was pointless. As much as she hated being stuck here, the alternative going out there alone was far worse.

○●○

The next morning, Nico was already on the phone when Caterina walked into the kitchen. She grabbed a cup and poured herself some coffee, trying not to listen, but his deep, commanding voice was impossible to ignore.

“Make sure the shipment arrives on time,” Nico said. “I do not care what it takes just get it done.”

He ended the call and turned around, only to find Caterina watching him.

“Business?” she asked, taking a sip of her coffee.

“Something like that,” he replied.

She studied him for a moment, curiosity creeping in. “Do you ever take a day off?”

Nico chuckled a rare, genuine sound that caught her off guard. “Not in this line of work.”

“Must be exhausting,” she said, her tone lighter than usual.

“You get used to it,” he said with a shrug. “Besides, it is not so bad when you are at the top.”

Caterina rolled her eyes. “sounds like a true kingpin.”

He smirked. “And do not forget it.”

○●○

Later that day, Nico got a call that changed everything.

Caterina was in the living room, flipping through a book she had found on the shelf, when his sharp voice made her look up.

“What do you mean they have moved?” he demanded, pacing back and forth as he spoke into his phone. “Find out where they went. I want answers now.”

He ended the call and turned to her, his expression tense.

“What is wrong?” she asked, setting the book aside.

“The men who attacked us at the bank,” he said. “They have gone underground. Whoever they are working for is covering their tracks.”

Caterina stomach twisted. “So what does that mean for us?”

“It means we need to act fast,” Nico said. “If they are hiding, it is because they are planning something. We cannot wait for them to make the next move.”

“What are you going to do?” she asked.

“I am meeting someone tonight,” he said. “An old contact who might have information on who is behind this.”

“And what about me?”

“You stay here,” he said firmly.

Caterina frowned. “I am not a child, Nico. I can take care of myself.”

“Really?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “Because the last time you were on your own, you almost got killed.”

Her cheeks burned with frustration, but she had no comeback for that.

“Just stay put,” he said, his tone softening a little. “I will be back before you know it.”

○●○

That evening, as Nico got ready to leave, Caterina could not shake the feeling that something bad was coming.

“Be careful,” she said reluctantly as he walked to the door.

He paused, looking at her with an can't read it expression. “Always.”

And then he was gone, leaving her alone in the penthouse once again.

She tried to distract herself, but no matter what she did, her thoughts kept going back to him. As much as she hated to admit it, she was starting to feel… something for Nico. Trust? Admiration? Maybe even a little attraction?

She shook her head, pushing the thought away.  Nico Romano was dangerous and she couldn't afford to let her guard down around him.

But deep down, she knew he was breaking through her walls, little by little.