“And now you do? Why?”
“I never had anything of my own until you came along. You’re mine, Datura. It took me longer than necessary to realize the importance of that statement. But you are mine. Mind, body and soul. And one day, you’re going to realize I’m yours too.”
She just stands there in my arms with her head and body pressed against me and I’ve never felt so calm.
"Thank you," she finally says. "For telling me the truth."
A sense of hope washes over me. I realize how desperately I want her forgiveness, how much I need her to see me, all of me, and not run. To see every good and bad part and choose not to hate me.
"Dance with me," I say, taking her hand and pulling her towards the dance floor.
I lead her to the dance floor, pulling her close as the music slows. Her body fits against mine perfectly, like she was made for me.
"Your world is more complicated than I imagined.”
"Our world," I correct.
"Our world," she repeats as I pull her closer, breathing in the scent of her hair.
For the first time in my life, I feel a need to win something more than a fight in an underground cage or a war with a rival gang. I need to win this woman’s heart. Because the truth is, I don't just want to keep Liana. I need her.
And that terrifies me more than any enemy ever could.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Liana
Iwake at dawn, my body still humming with the memory of last night's encounter. Rio's weight pressed against me while his mouth claimed every inch of my skin. I feel the familiar ache between my legs and the tender bruises along my collarbone where his teeth marked me as his. I should be disgusted with myself for how easily I’ve given in, but I'm not. I'm changing, becoming exactly what he wanted me to…someone who craves the danger he brings.
The bed beside me is empty. Rio must have slipped out hours ago for another early meeting. It's become our routine lately. Passionate nights followed by quiet mornings by myself. I stretch and rise, padding to the window to watch the sunrise.
That's when I see him. A figure moves through the shadows of the garden. My heart stops, then races as recognition dawns on me. The build, the stride and the way he holds himself…I'd know a Manitellie man anywhere. His face leaves the shadows for just a second and it’s enough to see that it’s my cousin Antonio. He’s the last person I expected to see here.
‘What the hell is he doing in my backyard?’
I throw on clothes and race downstairs, careful not to alert any staff. He can’t be here like this. What if someone sees him? He could be killed. I slip through the patio doors, my bare feet silent as I make my way out to the garden. I scan the area, suddenly afraid I imagined him.
"Took you long enough, little L."
I whirl around to find Antonio leaning against an olive tree, arms crossed over his chest.
"Antonio," I whisper, torn between running to him and running away. "How did you get in here? If Rio's men find you…"
He scoffs and approaches, grabbing me into a tight hug. I immediately wrap my arms around him and melt into his embrace.
"Your husband's security is good, but I'm better," He says as he pulls away, his gaze scanning my face and my body like he’s searching for something. His eyes linger on the marks on my neck and I watch as his jaw tightens.
"I see he's been keeping you busy."
Heat floods my cheeks and I cross my arms, suddenly conscious of the bruises Rio's left on my skin.
"What are you really doing here, Antonio? It's dangerous."
"I came for you," he says simply, like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "To take you home."
The words hit me like a physical blow. Home? Italy? The estate where I grew up, confined but still protected. A place built on both love and lies.
"I…I can't just leave," I say, but even as the words leave my mouth, I feel a flicker of something dangerous. Hope maybe…or temptation. “You and Andre said I couldn’t. It would cause too many problems.”
