of Giovanni's words still lingered, his presence haunting her even in her sleep. She rolled over in the massive bed, the cool sheets wrapping around her like a shroud, offering n

ying to distract herself with books she couldn't focus on and endless pacing that only made her anxious. Every time the door creaked open or a

m after the storm. She couldn't help but feel like somethin

erself a brief moment of respite, a

miliar voice called

as Luca, Giovanni's

voice steady despite the t

unreadable expression in place. In his hands, he held a sil

d simply, his voice devoid of emotion. "He

vident than in this moment. He didn't need to say anything himself. He

erves. She sipped the hot liquid, its bitterness sharp against her tongue. As she placed t

heavy for something as trivial as a letter. She hesitated for only a m

e, simple note: "I

ood up, smoothing the dress she'd been wearing and collecting her com

wledging his presence, though he

floor reverberating through the silence. As they passed through the grand corridors, she noticed the absence of the usual staff,

d just outside the door, giving her one l

you," he said, his voic

by dark wood and floor-to-ceiling windows that framed the view of the sprawling estate. Gio

the turmoil in her mind. The tension that had been building since their first meet

and smooth, like dark velvet. He didn't turn to look at h

e power within it palpable. Giovanni finally turned to face her, his expression unreadable. There was no warmth

ed with something like amusement. "I imagine it's

fluttered with nerves. "I'm doing fine," she said,

ecause I want you to understand something, Lina." He took a few steps toward her, his gaze never leaving hers.

atching his gaze. "And wh

liberate step closer, his eyes narrowing as he studied

. "You think you can fight me, fight my world. But the reality is, you have no

er her chest. For a moment, she thought she might suffocate unde

rembling but defiant. "Why me

culating. "You have something I need," he said, his voice dr

m-the subtle change in atmosphere, like the calm before a storm. But even more than that, she felt something deep i

you," she said th

ound dark and menacing.

e could feel the weight of his stare like a he

oice softer now, almost condescending. "You have much

her. She felt small, insignificant in the face of his power. But beneath the fe

ed under her breath, though she w

ut she knew he heard her.