"Tomorrow?"
"Too long."
I laughed. "You're clingy."
"Only with you." He didn't look embarrassed by the admission. "Have dinner with me tomorrow. Not here. Out. Let me take you somewhere nice."
"Like a date?"
"Exactly like a date. A real one." His hands cupped my face. "I want to do this properly. Court you. Show you off. Treat you like you deserve to be treated."
My heart did something complicated in my chest. "Okay. Tomorrow. Dinner."
"I'll text you the details." One more kiss. "Be safe going home. Text me when you get there."
"You're definitely clingy."
"Get used to it." But he was smiling.
I stepped into the elevator and the doors closed between us. Watched him through the glass until I descended out of sight.
The ride down felt like returning to reality after living in a dream. By the time I emerged onto the street, the weight of everything had settled back onto my shoulders.
I was dating a criminal. The FBI was investigating me. My best friend was informing on me. And I was in way over my head.
But for the first time in months, I also felt something that might have been happiness.
I pulled out my phone and texted Luca:Made it to the street. Heading home. Thank you for this morning.
His response came immediately:Thank you for staying. See you tomorrow. Can't wait.
I smiled despite everything and headed for the subway.
Whatever this was between us—complicated and messy and probably doomed—I was choosing it. Choosing him. Choosing to see where this impossible thing could go.
CHAPTER 6: LUCA
I CHANGED MYshirt three times before admitting I was being ridiculous.
The persona didn't get nervous about dates. Didn't stand in front of his closet second-guessing wardrobe choices like a teenager. Didn't check his reflection in the mirror multiple times to make sure everything was perfect.
But Luca—the real me underneath the performance—was terrified.
This was our first real date. Not the penthouse dinner where I'd been trying to prove something. Not the desperate collision in my office. An actual public date where we'd be seen together. Where I'd be introducing Valentino to my world as someone who mattered instead of just an asset I was managing.
I settled on a navy suit with a white shirt, no tie. Formal enough for the restaurant I'd chosen but not so formal it looked like I was trying too hard. My reflection looked back at me with an expression I barely recognized—uncertain, hopeful, nervous.
Human emotions that the persona had trained himself not to feel.
My phone buzzed. Text from Valentino:Car just arrived. This is really fancy. You're trying to impress me.
I smiled despite the nerves and typed back:Is it working?
Maybe. We'll see how dinner goes.
The flirtation in his tone made something warm bloom in my chest. This was real. We were doing this. Valentino waschoosing to show up, choosing to be seen with me, choosing this relationship despite all the complications.
I grabbed my wallet and keys and headed down to street level. The restaurant was only a few blocks away—I could have walked, but I wanted to arrive a few minutes early. Wanted to be there when Valentino showed up so he wouldn't have to walk in alone.
