Kara's POV
The cool night air hit Kara like a splash of water as she stepped out of the ballroom onto the terrace. She needed a moment to herself, away from the stares and whispers, away from him.
Leaning against the balustrade, she let her gaze drift over the city. Venice shimmered under the moonlight, its canals glinting like liquid silver. It should have been calming, but her thoughts were too loud.
"Fiancée," she muttered bitterly. "What was he thinking?"
The sound of footsteps made her stiffen. Of course, it had to be him.
"You left in a hurry," Alessandro said, his voice annoyingly smooth.
She turned to face him, crossing her arms. "What do you want now? Another favor? Perhaps I should declare we're expecting twins while I'm at it."
His lips twitched, but he quickly schooled his features into something resembling seriousness. "I wanted to thank you. Again."
"For what? Making a fool of myself in front of your family?"
"For saving me from my family," he corrected, stepping closer. "You have no idea what you've spared me from tonight."
Kara rolled her eyes. "Oh, poor Alessandro De Luca. Trapped in his palace, surrounded by adoring fans. How ever will you survive?"
He let out a soft laugh, but there was a hint of something else-weariness, perhaps? For a moment, Kara thought she saw past the façade, but she quickly dismissed the thought. Men like Alessandro didn't have layers.
"I'll make it up to you," he said, his tone shifting. "In fact, I may have a proposition for you."
Her stomach twisted. "I'm not interested."
"You haven't heard it yet."
"And I don't need to. Whatever it is, I'm sure it involves me doing something ridiculous while you reap the benefits."
"Not quite," he said, leaning casually against the railing. "This would benefit both of us."
She narrowed her eyes. "I don't trust you."
"You don't have to," he said simply. "But hear me out anyway."
---
Alessandro's POV
Alessandro didn't often find himself at a loss for words, but Kara McAllister had a knack for throwing him off balance. She was sharp, stubborn, and completely unimpressed by him-a combination he found oddly refreshing.
But this wasn't about personal intrigue. It was about business.
"My family," he began, choosing his words carefully, "has certain... expectations of me. Tonight's little misunderstanding bought me some time, but it also created a problem."
Kara raised an eyebrow. "A problem you caused."
"True," he admitted. "But the solution benefits you as well."
She didn't look convinced, so he pressed on.
"I know you're here on a temporary visa," he said, watching her expression shift to one of guarded surprise. "And I know funding for art restoration projects isn't exactly overflowing these days."
Her jaw tightened. "Are you seriously suggesting-"
"A marriage of convenience," he finished, holding her gaze.
The words hung in the air between them.
Kara laughed-a short, incredulous sound. "You've lost your mind."
"Think about it," he said, his tone calm and measured. "You get financial support for your projects, and I get my family off my back long enough to handle my business without interference. It's temporary, mutually beneficial, and completely harmless."
"Harmless?" she repeated, her voice rising. "You think pretending to be married to you would be harmless?"
He smirked. "More harmless than dealing with my aunt's matchmaking efforts, I assure you."
She glared at him, her frustration palpable. "This is insane."
"Perhaps," he conceded. "But it's also practical."
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Alessandro could see the wheels turning in her mind. She was considering it, despite her protests.
"I'd want terms," she said finally, her voice firm.
"Of course."
"And a timeline. A short one."
"Naturally."
"And no... funny business," she added, narrowing her eyes.
Alessandro couldn't help but grin. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Her exasperated sigh was almost musical. "Fine. But if this blows up in my face, I'm blaming you."
"Fair enough," he said, offering his hand. "Shall we shake on it?"
She stared at his outstretched hand for a long moment before finally taking it. Her grip was firm, her skin warm against his.
For a brief second, Alessandro wondered if he was playing a game he didn't fully understand.
---
Kara's POV (continued)
As she walked back inside, Kara couldn't shake the feeling that she'd just made a deal with the devil.
She hated how calm he'd been, how easily he'd presented his proposal as though it were a business transaction. And she hated even more that he'd been right. Her visa was precarious, and the chance to fund an art restoration project she cared deeply about was too tempting to ignore.
But the idea of pretending to be Alessandro's wife? It was absurd. It was reckless.
And yet, as she glanced over her shoulder and caught him watching her with that infuriating smirk, she felt the tiniest flicker of curiosity.
What have I gotten myself into?
---