"You're here because I love you and want you here. The legal expertise is just a bonus." He kissed me softly. "A very valuable bonus."
We worked well together. Really well. Better than I'd worked with anyone in my life. We challenged each other. Pushed each other to think differently. Made each other better.
It was partnership. Real partnership. The kind I'd never experienced before.
***
Two and a half weeks into the restructuring, Elio and I were working late in his office. Everyone else had gone home. Just the two of us and the night security team.
We'd been reviewing access protocols for hours. My eyes were tired. My brain was fuzzy. But we were almost done.
"Last one," Elio said, pulling up another document. "Then we can go home."
I read through it. Made notes. Suggested changes. Saved the revised version.
"Done," I said. Leaning back in my chair. "Finally done."
"You're amazing. You know that?" Elio stood and stretched. Moved to where I was sitting. Leaned against his desk. "We've accomplished more in two weeks than I thought possible. Because of you. Because of how well we work together."
"We do work well together. Your strategic thinking and my legal analysis. It's a good combination."
"Are you happy?" he asked. "With how things turned out? With being here? With this life?"
"Extremely happy. Happier than I ever imagined I could be." I stood and moved closer to him. "Why do you ask?"
"Just wondering. Thinking about alternate paths. What would've happened if things had gone differently."
"What do you think would've happened? If I'd never come to Inferno?"
Elio was quiet for a moment. Thinking. "I probably would've continued as I was. Competent but empty. Going through motions without real purpose. Maintaining security. Managing threats. Existing but not living. I'd have been functional but hollow. Effective but alone. That would've been my life. Until—" He stopped.
"Until what?"
"Until I died. Probably in some violent confrontation. Or just slowly withered into nothing but duty and obligation. No joy. No connection. No reason to be more than just competent at my job."
The honesty hit hard. "That's bleak."
"It's realistic. Before you, I had no reason to grow or change. No reason to question procedures or show mercy or think about the future beyond tomorrow's threats. You gave me all of that. Purpose. Growth. Hope. A future worth building." He pulled me between his legs. "What about you? What would've happened if you hadn't run?"
I thought about it. Really thought about it. "I would've married Dante. Within a year he would've broken me completely or I would've killed him. Either way, I'd be dead or destroyed. There was no version of that future where I survived intact."
"I'm glad you ran."
"So am I. Best decision I ever made. Running to you. Choosing this life. Choosing you." I kissed him softly. "I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."
"Me too. With you. Building this. Having a future that's more than just surviving."
We stood there for a moment. Just holding each other. Both grateful for the choices that had brought us together.
Then I felt it. The shift in energy. From grateful to hungry. From tender to heated.
"Elio," I said quietly. "I want you."
"We should go home—"
"No. Here. Now. I want you here."
His pupils dilated. "Julian, we're in my office. Anyone could—"
