Isabella woke to the sound of men shouting. She rolled out of bed. Grabbed her robe and ran to the window.
In the courtyard below, Matteo was fighting with someone. Not a real fight. He was training as they moved in circles. Punching and blocking.
Isabella watched his muscles flexed under his shirt. The way he moved was smooth and deadly.
The other man was good too. But not as good as Matteo took him down with a move so quick Isabella almost missed it.
"Impressive," she said out loud. A knock at her door made her jump.
Mrs. Russo poked her head into Isabella's room. "Miss Isabella?" she asked, her voice calm but curious. "Mr. Matteo wants to see you in the gym."
"The gym?" Isabella repeated, glancing up from the bed.
"Downstairs, past the library," Mrs. Russo explained, folding her hands. "He said to wear comfortable clothes."
Isabella nodded quickly. "Okay," she said, already standing.
