The tension builds between us, our bodies moving in perfect synchronization. When she comes, it's with my name on her lips, her nails raking down my back, her body clenching around me so perfectly I can barely hold on.
I follow her over the edge moments later, burying myself deep as I empty inside her, marking her as mine in the most primal way possible.
We collapse together, tangled in silk sheets and each other, both of us breathing hard.
She traces patterns on my chest, her fingers following the lines of my tattoos.
"What happens now?" she asks quietly.
"Now?" I press a kiss to her forehead. "Now we build our kingdom together. You and me. Side by side."
"Even when I challenge you?"
"Even then." I tilt her chin up so she's looking at me. "I don't want a wife who's afraid to tell me when I'm wrong. I want a partner who'll keep me in check. Who'll remind me that there's more to ruling than fear and violence."
She smiles, soft and genuine. "You really mean that."
"I really do." I pull her closer. "You make me better, Valentina. You make me want to be better."
She's quiet for a moment, then: "I was terrified tonight. Of you killing someone."
"I know."
"But you stopped. When I asked you to. You chose me over your pride, your rage, everything." She looks up at me. "That's when I knew."
"Knew what?"
"That this could work. That we could work. That maybe loving a monster isn't so bad when he's willing to be tamed by the right person."
I laugh softly. "Tamed? Is that what you think you're doing?"
"Isn't it?" She grins. "You just agreed to give me equal say in running this empire. That sounds pretty tame to me."
"Don't mistake partnership for taming,bella mia. I'm still a monster. I'll still destroy anyone who threatens you. I'll still rule this city with an iron fist." I press a kiss to her lips. "I'm just doing it with you by my side now. Which makes me infinitely more dangerous."
Not because she's softened me or changed who I am.
But because she's given me something I never thought I'd have, someone who sees every dark corner of my soul and chooses to stay anyway... But everyone has their limits.
Valentina is quiet for a long moment. Then she asks the question I've been dreading.
“Salvatore? Do you have my father?"
I could lie. I could buy myself more time, figure out a strategy, and play the game the way I've been playing it my entire life.
But I'm so fucking tired of games.
"Yes."
Her breath catches. "What do you plan to do with him?"
"Get some sleep, Valentina. We'll talk about this tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Her voice rises. "He could be dead tomorrow. Wait, is he…. Is he dead, Salvatore? Did you kill my father?”
“I said leave it alone until tomorrow, Valentina.”
“No! We need to talk about this now. Where is my father? Is he safe?”
