"That's not fair. You know everything about me."
"Fair's got nothing to do with it."
I set down my fork. Looked at him directly.
"I'll find out anyway. I'm good at research, remember?"
Elio's mouth twitched. Almost a smile. Almost.
"I'm counting on it."
The smile did something to my chest. Made it tight and warm and confusing. Made my pulse kick up in a way that had nothing to do with fear and everything to do with want.
I'd never been attracted to someone like Elio before.
Older. Dangerous. Completely wrong for me in every way.
The men my family had introduced me to in my early teens, before the engagement, had been polished. Charming. Safe in the way that came from wealth and privilege. They'd looked at me like I was a prize to be won. A possession to acquire.
Elio looked at me like I was a puzzle to solve. A threat to manage. Something that required his full attention and careful handling.
He looked at me like I was dangerous.
And God help me, I wanted more of that.
I wanted him to keep looking at me like I mattered. Like I was capable of real damage. Like I was someone worth taking seriously instead of someone to be controlled and protected.
"What?" Elio asked.
"Nothing."
"You're staring."
"You stare at me all the time."
"That's different. That's my job."
"What if I said it was my job too? Figuring you out. Understanding what makes you tick."
Elio leaned back in his chair. Studied me with those sharp eyes that missed nothing.
"And what have you figured out so far?"
"That you're careful. Controlled. You see everything and trust nothing. You've built walls so high that nobody gets close without being thoroughly vetted first." I paused. "And that you're lonely. Even when you're surrounded by people."
Something flickered across his face. Surprise, maybe.
"That's a lot to assume from five days of observation."
"Am I wrong?"
He didn't answer. Just stood and picked up my empty plate.
"Get some sleep. Tomorrow we're introducing you to the rest of the operation. Sandro wants to meet you properly. So does Luca."
"And what do you want?"
The question came out before I could stop it. Too personal. Too direct. Too revealing of the fact that I cared about his answer more than I should.
