Another young man trying to escape a cage. Another person trapped by family arrangements they never agreed to. Another desperate gamble on criminals who might help or might hurt.
Months ago, I caught Stefan infiltrating Inferno and made a choice that changed everything. Chose to keep him. Chose toprotect him. Chose to give him sanctuary even when it was risky and complicated and probably insane.
That choice gave me everything. My husband. My future. My happiness.
Maybe Julian deserved the same chance.
"He stays," I said.
"Matteo—" Elio's voice was sharp with warning. "This is a mistake. A massive, dangerous mistake. The Bianchi family is powerful. Winston Bianchi doesn't tolerate defiance. If he finds out we're harboring his son—"
"Temporarily," I cut in. "Julian stays temporarily while we assess what kind of heat this brings. If the Bianchi family comes looking and it puts us at risk, we'll revisit. But for now, we're helping him."
"You're making this decision based on sentiment. On your feelings for Stefan. Not on strategic assessment." Elio's voice was cold. "That's dangerous. Especially right now when we should be cautious."
"Noted. But it's my call and I'm making it." I turned to Julian. "You can stay. Same room Stefan originally had—second floor, down the hall. You don't leave the building without permission. You don't contact anyone from your family. You work with Stefan on the books to earn your keep. And if your family comes looking and it puts us at risk, this arrangement ends. Clear?"
"Crystal clear." Julian's relief was palpable. His shoulders dropped slightly. "Thank you. I—thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. You might regret this decision." I gestured to the door. "Stefan will show you to your room. Get dried off. We'll talk more tomorrow about how this works."
Stefan moved toward Julian. "Come on. Let's get you settled."
Julian followed Stefan out. I watched them go—my husband helping another desperate young man the same way I'd once helped Stefan.
The door closed. Elio and I were alone.
"This is a mistake," Elio said. His voice was tight with controlled anger. "You're letting sentiment override strategy. That's dangerous for all of us."
"Maybe. But it's the right mistake." I moved toward the door. "Get me everything you can on the Bianchi family. Winston Bianchi specifically. And this Dante Caruso Julian's supposed to marry. I want to know what we're dealing with."
"Already working on it." Elio's jaw was tight. "But Matteo—if this blows up, if the Bianchi family comes for us, if this starts a war—it's on you."
"I know. And I'll handle it."
I left him standing there. Furious. Worried. Right about the risk but wrong about the decision.
Some things were worth the risk.
Stefan had been worth it. Maybe Julian would be too.
***
Back in our apartment, Stefan said: "Elio's going to fall hard."
I looked at him. "What?"
"For Julian. I saw how he was looking at him." Stefan smiled slightly. "The same way you looked at me at that auction."
"Elio doesn't fall for people. He's too controlled for that."
"You were too controlled for that too. Until you weren't." Stefan pulled me close. "Trust me. Elio's going to fall hard. He just doesn't know it yet."
"Maybe Julian will be lucky like you were."
"Lucky?" Stefan laughed. "I got kidnapped by an obsessive enforcer who kept me locked up."
"And now you're married to that obsessive enforcer. So yes, lucky."
