Mine.
On the screen, she shifts again, her long, beautiful lashes fluttering.
With a nod, I make the screen go blank and face my family.
Matteo’s gaze is on my face, and whatever he sees there makes his expression darken.
“You’re staring at her like she’s the first sunrise you’ve ever seen.”
I don’t look away.Not immediately.Not fast enough.
Nico’s voice cuts in quietly.“This doesn’t look like control, Dante.It looks like obsession.”
“Good.”
The word is low, steady, honest.
Let them think I’ve lost my mind over her.Let them misread the entire shape of this move.People underestimate a man they believe is ruled by hunger.
Then, unable to help myself, I check on her again.
On the screen, Valentina’s lips part around a soft breath, her brows drawing together as she eases toward consciousness.
I lean in, just a little closer.
Matteo notices.Face tightening, he swears viciously under his breath.“Christ.You didn’t just light a fire, little brother.You dropped a match into gasoline.”
I watch her breath catch, the first stirrings of a woman who will wake furious, brilliant, and dangerous.
“Fucking fix your mistake.”
Oh.I will.
But they will not like how I do it.
Even though I nod, my focus is on her and not the men in front of me.
And I realize something with bone-deep certainty…something I dare not confess.
I have zero fucking regrets.
ChapterTwo
Valentina
Iwake to a scent that shouldn’t be here.
Clean soap, sharp and unmistakable, power threaded with a faintly citrusy tang.
I know it from somewhere…
Suddenly chilled, I go still.
The smell sharpens as my awareness does, and threads begin to pull together.
Memories surface in out-of-order shards rather than scenes—night air, laughter, celebrating Chaira’s birthday on the rooftop, her teasing me about Mr.Tall, Dark, and Broody.
Walking toward the bar, sliding onto a stool to wait for him.The way a stranger bumped into me and crowded me.The way I turned back to…
