Outside, the sky is lightening, the darkness bleeding into pale gray and then soft pink, the first hints of dawn creeping through the blinds and painting stripes across the wall.
The world is waking up, moving forward like nothing happened, like Xavier isn’t fighting for his life, like everything hasn’t changed completely.
Valentina’s hand twitches against my chest, her fingers curling into my skin, nails pressing lightly against my sternum, and I look down at her.
She looks younger like this, softer, the sharp edges of her fear smoothed away by sleep.
Her face is relaxed, peaceful in a way I haven’t seen since before the shooting, and she looks fragile in a way she’d never allow anyone to see while she’s awake.
Vulnerable.
Human.
Breakable.
And I realize, with a clarity that’s almost painful, that I’d do anything to keep her safe.
Not just because Xavier would want me to.
Not just because it’s my duty as vice president, as his second-in-command.
Not even because keeping her safe means keeping Xavier’s empire intact.
But because she matters.
Because somewhere along the way, in between the chaos and the violence and the constant struggle to keep everything from falling apart, she became more than just Xavier’s girl.
She became someone I’d burn the world down for if it meant keeping her whole.
Someone I’d walk through fire for, take bullets for, destroy anyone who tried to hurt her.
The thought terrifies me, sends ice sliding down my spine.
I can’t be this fucking weak over a girl I have barely touched.
Not the way I want to anyway.
She shouldn’t be this important.
She can’t.
I won’t let her be.
I close my eyes, exhaling slowly through my nose, and try to quiet the storm raging in my head.
Try to focus on the steady rhythm of Valentina’s breathing, the way her chest rises and falls against my side, the warmth of her body against mine.
The way her presence is both a comfort and a reminder of everything I stand to lose—not just Xavier, but her too, if I’m not careful.
If I don’t do better, everyone I love will be gone, and I won’t care because I’ll have her.
I’m deathly obsessed with her.
Fuck me.
4
VALENTINA
