"You understand what you're saying?" His voice was rough. "You're choosing me over your career. Over your safety. Over everything you've built."
"I understand perfectly." I gripped his shirt. "I'm choosing the man who came to get me at 2 AM when someone threatened me. Who mobilized half his organization to keep me safe. Who's treating me like I matter instead of like I'm disposable." I pulled him closer. "I'm choosing the man who sees me. All of me. And wants me anyway."
"Emilio—" Whatever he was going to say got lost when I kissed him again.
We made it to the couch. Barely. Clothes coming off between kisses. His hands everywhere, relearning my body like he'd been gone for days instead of hours.
"The case strategy," he murmaged against my throat. "What did you come up with?"
"Twenty-seven pages. Complete destruction of their timeline. Witness credibility challenges. Evidenceinconsistencies." I arched as his teeth found my collarbone. "We're going to eviscerate them."
"That's my brilliant attorney." He bit down slightly and I gasped. "Show me later. Right now I need you."
"You have me." I pulled at his belt. "You've had me since that first meeting in your office."
He made a sound low in his throat. Possessive and satisfied. "Say it again."
"You have me. I'm yours." The admission should have felt like surrender. Instead it felt like freedom. "Whatever happens with the RICO investigation, whatever the FBI tries, whatever Roberto threatens—I'm staying."
He picked me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist. Familiar now. Easy. He carried me to the bedroom and laid me out on sheets that smelled like him. Like us.
"I'm going to make sure you don't regret that choice," he said, settling between my thighs.
"I already don't."
He took his time with me. Mapped my body with hands and mouth until I was trembling and desperate. When he finally pushed inside, I cried out his name loud enough that his security probably heard.
I didn't care.
Let them know. Let everyone know. I was Sandro Vitale's attorney and his lover and completely, irreversibly his.
He fucked me thoroughly. Possessively. Like he was claiming territory. I gave him everything—my body, my trust, my complete surrender to whatever this was between us.
When I came, it was with his name on my lips and his hand wrapped around my throat. Not choking. Just holding. Reminding me who I belonged to.
He followed me over with a groan that sounded almost pained. Buried himself deep and filled me completely.
Afterward, we lay tangled together, sweat cooling on our skin.
"The trial's in four weeks," I said quietly. "We need to prepare. Witness prep, evidence review, strategy sessions."
"Tomorrow. Tonight you rest." He kissed my shoulder. "You've earned it after the day you've had."
"The day I've had?" I laughed. "You're the one who interrogated a mob enforcer and sent a message to the Costellos."
"All in a day's work." His arm tightened around me. "You're the one who turned down federal immunity to stay with me. That's significantly more impressive."
"Or significantly more stupid."
"Brave. The word you're looking for is brave." He turned me to face him. "You chose something difficult over something easy. That takes courage most people don't have."
"Or I'm just too far gone to see clearly anymore." But I smiled when I said it.
"Maybe both." He traced my jaw. "Either way, you're mine now. Completely. No going back."
"I know." And I did. I'd crossed too many lines, made too many compromises, accepted too much of what he offered. There was no returning to who I'd been before I met him.
That person was gone. Replaced by someone who could listen to murder plans and feel grateful. Who could turn down immunity deals and feel proud. Who could fuck his mob boss client and feel satisfied instead of ashamed.
