"First one two days ago. This one this morning."
"And you didn't tell me?"
"I was handling it."
"By keeping me in the dark? By making decisions about my safety without telling me I was even in danger?" His voice rose. "Matteo, these threats are about me. I had a right to know."
"I was protecting you—"
"By lying to me?" He shoved my phone back at me. "Is this going to be our pattern? Every time there's danger, you just lock me away and don't tell me why?"
"I'm trying to keep you safe."
"I know. But I'm not a child. I'm not something fragile you need to shield from reality." He took a breath, visibly trying to calm himself. "Show me the message again."
I handed him the phone. He read more carefully this time.
"They know my routine," he said. "My schedule. Where I work. That means surveillance. Someone's been watching me for at least a few days. Maybe longer." He looked at me. "Do you think my family sent these?"
"I don't know. Maybe. Or it could be someone else trying to provoke a war between the Romanos and Vitales while we're both distracted by the trial."
"Either way, I'm the target." Stefan handed back my phone. "This is my fault. Being here is putting everyone at risk."
"No—"
"It is." His voice was firm. "If I wasn't here, you wouldn't be getting threats. The Vitales wouldn't be exposed to whatever this is. Maybe I should—" He stopped. Swallowed hard. "MaybeI should leave. Go somewhere far away. Make myself scarce until the trial's over and this dies down."
The words hit me like a physical blow.
"Absolutely not."
"Matteo—"
"No." I grabbed his hand. Held tight. "You're not leaving. You're not going anywhere. We're dealing with this together."
"You can't watch me every second of every day. Eventually someone will get through. And when they do—" His voice cracked. "When they do, you'll be right there. You'll put yourself between me and the threat. You'll get hurt trying to protect me."
"I don't care—"
"I care!" Stefan pulled his hand away. "I care that being with me makes you a target. That protecting me could get you killed. I can't live with that responsibility, Matteo. I can't—" He pressed his hands to his face. "Maybe they're right. Maybe I should go home. Back to Giuseppe. At least then you'd be safe."
Rage and fear warred in my chest.
"You're not going back to that man. Ever. I don't care what threats come. I don't care what danger you think you're bringing. You're mine and I'm keeping you." I moved closer. "Stefan, look at me."
He did. His eyes were wet.
"I would rather die protecting you than live safely without you," I said. "That's not negotiable. That's not up for discussion. So if you're thinking about leaving to keep me safe, stop. Because I'm not letting you go."
"That's exactly the problem." His voice was raw. "You're willing to die for me. And I can't—I can't be the reason you—" He broke off. Turned away. "This is insane. We're insane. I should leave before this gets worse."
"No."
"Matteo—"
"I said no." I grabbed his shoulders. Turned him to face me. "You want to leave? Fine. Tell me you don't want to be here anymore. Tell me you're done with this. With us. Tell me you regret choosing me. And I'll let you go. But don't you dare leave because you think it's safer for me. Don't sacrifice what we have because you're trying to protect me from choices I'm making with full awareness of the consequences."
"You're not being rational—"
